RSU 29 goes red for heart disease
HOULTON, Maine — February is for love and all things red. That is the reason the American Heart Association selected red to send the message “Love your heart.” This nationwide movement celebrates the power to band together and wipe out heart disease, the number one killer of women.
Shari Good, physical education teacher at Houlton Elementary School has promoted healthy heart awareness for the last 10 years. She has been assisted in this effort by Gretchen Fitzpatrick, a teacher at Southside School and Heather Fagnant, who teaches at Houlton Middle Jr. High School. Each year they have brought awareness to this cause and raised money for the American Heart Association.
If one walked through the halls of RSU 29 on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, one would have noticed that everyone from students, teaching staff, clerical workers, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers and members of the administration were all “rocking the color red.” This day was designated to raise awareness for the fight against heart disease and named “Go Red Day” by the AHA.
This year was particularly significant for the elementary school staff. Just a year ago 19-year-old Hannah Mooers passed away due to complications from a congenital heart condition. Mooers attended Houlton schools and was a member of the Class of 2013. She spent countless hours in the pre-K rooms at HES. during her internship at Region Two’s early childhood education program. She later became a substitute teacher for the district.
Mooers battled heart disease most of her short life. It has been said that she coped with her many health issues with grace, stubbornness, incredible parents, understanding siblings, excellent doctors and faith. Through all of these challenges she always got back up, brushed herself off, put a smile on and carried on.
Hannah’s mom, Paula who works as a member of the support staff at the elementary school said, “It is ever so important to speak up about heart disease and fight the cause, much like Hannah did.”
She urges everyone (women, men and children) to make the important promise to themselves to do everything they can to reduce their risk factors.
For more information visit: www.goredforwomen.org.
