In a remarkable celebration of health advocacy and community impact, Amy Doherty, a heart survivor and catering manager from Seabrook, has been named the American Heart Association®’s Go Red for Women® Houston 2024 Woman of Impact™ Winner.
Alongside her, Grace Dutko, a fellow heart survivor and student at Second Baptist High School, has earned the title of the city’s Teen of Impact™ Winner.
These recognitions, driven by their personal journeys and dedicated fundraising efforts, showcase a commitment to improving the health outcomes of the Houston community.
The Woman of Impact™ and Teen of Impact™ initiatives play a crucial role in advancing health equity and promoting longer, healthier lives, as defined by the American Heart Association.
While the Woman of Impact campaign concentrates on empowering women and boosting heart health awareness through the Go Red for Women® movement, the Teen of Impact initiative seeks to foster leadership and health advocacy among the youth.
Kellie Armstrong, the Executive Director of Development and Community Health for the American Heart Association, Houston-Gulf Coast, emphasizes the importance of such changemakers.
“Thanks to the efforts of changemakers like Amy and Grace—and all of our incredible nominees—we’re taking meaningful steps to eliminate heart disease and stroke in the Gulf Coast and Houston,” she said.
Armstrong added, “Together, we are funding lifesaving research, educating communities, and empowering women and teens to take action for their health and futures. Their work is helping to ensure that more families stay together, and more lives are saved.”
Throughout a nine-week campaign, Doherty and Dutko competed among their peers to gather vital funds and raise awareness for heart health education and community engagement initiatives.
Doherty notably engaged in educational events and outreach for Go Red for Women, a global initiative launched over two decades ago that highlights women’s heart health disparities.
Meanwhile, Dutko spearheaded community fundraising efforts that focused on youth heart health and equitable medical care access for all residents of Houston.
Together, these two inspiring individuals raised over $100,000 and promoted initiatives centered around hands-only CPR education, health advocacy, food security, and maternal health.
Their enthusiasm and leadership serve as a powerful reminder that individual stories and actions can catalyze significant collective impact.
The 2024 Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact campaigns were officially launched in over 150 cities across the nation on National Wear Red Day®, which fell on February 7 this year.
In Houston, thirteen community leaders and teens were nominated for these prestigious awards.
Collectively, the Houston nominees and their teams raised a staggering $319,093 while actively participating in various educational trainings and activities.
These included learning hands-only CPR, advocating for health policies, and promoting wellness through the Association’s Mind, Body, Connection framework.
Among the local nominees for Woman of Impact were notable leaders like Saba Abashawl from Houston Airport Systems and Kacy Allensworth, a personal coach.
Similarly, in the Teen of Impact category, nominees featured students from prestigious schools, including Sarah Bezemek from Episcopal High School and Leah Inman from Kingwood High School, among others.
Despite cardiovascular disease being the leading cause of death in the U.S., many events are preventable through proper lifestyle changes and early detection.
The Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact initiatives are paving the way for a healthier future, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live a full and vibrant life.
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