Six local women are making it their mission to share their story and hope to inspire other women to care for their hearts. BE INSPIRED by their stories:
 | Rachel Doucette Heart Disease Survivor Hometown: Georgetown, MA My name is Rachel and I had a heart attack while I was putting my kids in the van. I was told that I wasn’t having a heart attack even though I was having clinical symptoms of a heart attack. I ended up having open-heart surgery and I lost some function in my heart. In women, heart disease is too often a silent killer – know the warning signs and be an advocate for yourself. |
 | Maryrose Mirick Heart Disease Survivor Hometown: Weymouth, MA I’ve been dealing with heart disease since 1977 when I had my first cardiac catheterization and I am presently on the list for a heart transplant. I have been fighting hard to keep my heart-healthy, and I have surpassed any doctors’ thoughts that I would have survived this long without a heart transplant. Life is for living. Your heart is your engine and you have to take care of it. Feed it well, treat it well and it will do the same. |
 | Deidra Lincoln Heart Disease Survivor Hometown: Shrewsbury, MA The day after Christmas I went to bed and woke up with what felt like an elephant on my chest. I went to the hospital for testing and found out that I had suffered a heart attack. I had a blockage and had to have a stent put in. Two weeks prior to my heart attack I had a complete physical. I want to share the truth about heart disease; that it could happen to any women, at any age, at any time. |
 | Sara Bielanski Heart Disease Survivor Hometown: Cambridge, MA My name is Sara and I was born with Congenital Heart Disease. In July 2011, I had open-heart surgery and learned that I had a unicusped valve, which is extremely rare. I went through cardiac rehab and have improved my daily lifestyle in order to take care of my heart better. I’m making it my mission to encourage women to take care of their hearts. |
 | Natasha & Cassandra Aviles Family History Hometown: Waltham, MA We never thought we had a family history of heart disease, until our father suffered a heart attack in June 2011. We are lucky that our father is still with us today, but heart disease has forever affected our entire family. We’ve made it our responsibility to stay educated and live healthier lives with our family. Know your family history and the symptoms of heart attacks; prevention is the best cure. |
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