Thanks to the work of the Wear Red for Women Committee and the Bothwell Foundation, 31 area parks, event centers, churches and more have life-saving devices to help provide care in an emergency. Since 2020, the foundation has hosted the Wear Red for Women luncheon and auction that has raised funds to place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) where people work, learn, play or pray in Sedalia and in surrounding communities.
An AED is a small, lightweight device that allows first responders and individuals to treat sudden cardiac arrest by delivering a shock to the victim’s chest, ideally restarting their heart. According to an American Heart Association study, survival from cardiac arrest doubled when bystanders stepped in to use a publicly available automated external defibrillator rather than wait until emergency responders arrived.
In 2022, the foundation is again partnering with Bothwell Regional Health Center and Missouri Heart Center to host the third event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at The Foundry 324 event center in downtown Sedalia. Cochairs are Lori Wightman, Bothwell CEO, and Dianne Simon, Thompson Hills Investment Corporation vice president. A heart-healthy lunch, women’s heart health presentation, and auction of red purses, luggage, wallets, scarves and more are planned.
Lauren Thiel-Payne, Bothwell Foundation executive director, said the Wear Red Committee, composed of 30-plus women, is working hard to recruit event sponsors.
“The committee is a great group and Wear Red is a wonderful event that raises local funds for an important local cause,” she said. “We have a lot of fun planning surprises for attendees.”
People or businesses interested in supporting the third annual Wear Red for Women event should contact Thiel-Payne at 660-829-7786 or lthiel@brhc.org. Tickets will be available to purchase in January.
