The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in the Bay Area gained significant momentum this year—driven by a powerful force of leaders committed to advancing awareness, prevention, and equitable care of cardiovascular disease for women.
Sylvia Acevedo, author, engineer, CEO, strategist, Board leader and trailblazer, was at the center of this year’s campaign efforts for Go Red for Women, serving as 2026 Go Red Chair for the Bay Area. Sylvia brought together an influential Executive Leadership Team which played a vital role in shaping the success of Go Red for Women.
The 2026 Bay Area Executive Leadership Team reflected strong representation from companies involved in the semiconductor ecosystem. As 2026 Go Red Chair, Sylvia joins a lengthy list of chairpersons involved in semiconductor and technology businesses that have spearheaded American Heart Association’s campaigns.
Sylvia’s leadership and guidance, combined with the energy and influence of the Executive Leadership Team, enabled the team to far exceed their fundraising goal by championing awareness, networking, and helping mobilize resources to address women’s heart health and well-being.
Why Women’s Heart Health Matters More Than Ever
Despite decades of progress, heart disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Approximately 1 in 5 female deaths is attributed to cardiovascular disease each year1, yet awareness gaps persist—particularly among younger women and diverse populations. Less than half of women recognize heart disease as their greatest health threat.
Even more concerning:
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- Nearly 45% of women aged 20+ are living with some form of cardiovascular disease.
- For too long, women have been underrepresented in research. In fact, less than 40% of research participants are women, while just 4% of medical research is specific to women.
- Women are more likely to describe symptoms differently than men, and women may receive different diagnoses, and treatment outcomes.
These realities underscore why campaigns like Go Red for Women are so critical.
“Education is one of the most powerful tools women have in protecting their heart health. Understanding risk factors, recognizing symptoms, and taking proactive steps toward prevention can be life-saving,” said Gezel Frederick, VP, Development, Bay Area, American Heart Association. “When women are informed, they are empowered to advocate for their health, seek timely care, and make choices that can significantly reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Education is about driving earlier detection, improving outcomes, and ultimately saving lives.
Building Momentum for a Healthier Future
Sylvia’s leadership brought a unifying vision to this year’s initiative, one that emphasizes both urgency and empowerment.
The impact of the 2026 Go Red for Women initiative extends far beyond a single campaign. It represents a sustained effort to change how cardiovascular health is understood, discussed, and addressed among women.
“This year’s Go Red for Women campaign has demonstrated the incredible impact that collective leadership and community commitment can achieve,” said Sylvia Acevedo, 2026 Go Red for Women Chair. “While we’ve made meaningful progress in raising awareness and advancing women’s heart health, our work is far from over. The momentum we’ve built must continue—because too many women remain at risk. Together, we have the opportunity and responsibility to keep this movement moving forward, ensuring every woman has access to the knowledge, care, and support she needs to live a longer, healthier life.”
About Go Red for Women
The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For more than two decades, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk of heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
Author: Kristin Hehir, Credo
1 https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/women-and-heart-disease.html