American Heart Month

Sen. Formica: For our Family it is Personal

Ali Formica ambassador for L+M Healthcare “Go-Red for Heart Health” awareness campaign. Courtesy: Photographer Anna Sawin

Senator Formica wearing red for “Go-Red for Women Day” at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

Hartford, CT – State Senator Paul Formica (R-East Lyme) is proud of all of his children especially daughter, Ali as she has been named one of the 14 female ambassadors for the “Go-Red for Heart Health” Awareness campaign sponsored by Lawrence +Memorial Healthcare in New London.

“Ali’s advocacy for heart health awareness is a reflection of our family’s continued efforts to be a torch bearer for the American Heart Walk,” said Sen. Formica. “For our family it is personal.”

Senator Formica’s wife, Donna died of a massive heart attack the day after Christmas 2009. She was 56 years old. Donna suffered a heart attack four years earlier and was then diagnosed with a condition that impacted the small vessels behind the heart deemed not life threatening.

In her L+M Healthcare interview for the “Go-Red for Heart Health” campaign Ali Formica recalled, “Mom always put everybody before herself. She probably didn’t feel well that Christmas, but she didn’t say anything because she didn’t want to distract from family gatherings. But she should’ve put herself first, and oh, how I wish she had. She always used to tell us, ‘Be your own advocate.’ She always told us to trust our gut. On behalf of my mom, I can’t stress enough to every woman to take the time to care for yourself. Yes, your family needs your attention, but they will need you in the future, too.”

February is American Heart Month, and heart disease kills more women annually than any other disease. The Formica’s are asking everyone to learn more about heart health by visiting http://wellhealedwoman.org/

Increased awareness can save lives, which is why Senator Formica has gladly accepted the role as co-chair of the Heart Healthy Walk held every year at Rocky Neck State Park in Niantic. To date Formica’s team – Walking Hearts for Donna – has raised in excess of $100,000 dollars that will go toward heart disease research right here in Connecticut.