On February 3, 2023, during American Heart Month, Ergon kicked off our first Healthy Heart Campaign created to increase awareness of the causes and symptoms of heart disease and stroke, provide employees with healthy heart tips and raise funds on behalf of the American Heart Association (AHA).

_______________

The campaign began with an organization-wide Wear Red Day celebration as well as a video message to the Ergon family from Lee Lampton, son of Ergon founder Leslie Lampton Sr. In the video, Lee shared the story of how his battle with heart disease began and the steps he has taken to ensure he stays on top of his heart health to date. Ergon employees were encouraged to share their heart stories as well throughout the campaign period, some of which helped others identify symptoms they may not have known were connected to heart disease.

Lee Lampton shares his heart story with the Ergon family.

_______________

Each week of the campaign, employees had the opportunity to donate funds toward the AHA Go Red for Women/Woman of Impact initiative for a chance to win a raffle prize for that week. All donors were then entered into a grand prize drawing. While the campaign included all Ergon companies, Ergon Corporate also incorporated Food Truck Days in which a portion of the proceeds from food truck sales went to the AHA. Over the nine-week campaign, Ergon raised approximately $27,000.

_______________

Healthy Heart Ambassador
Ergon Board Member Amy Walker served as our Healthy Heart Ambassador and was one of AHA’s Metro Jackson (Mississippi) Go Red for Women/Woman of Impact representatives. For Walker, heart disease is an issue she is all too familiar with, which has driven her motivation for wanting to do her part to help others. “Heart disease has greatly impacted my family,” said Walker. “My father Lee Lampton’s struggles with heart disease began at age 52. I lost my maternal grandfather to a heart attack when he was just 52 years old as well. Also, my father-in-law and sister-in-law died of heart attacks.” In addition to heart disease hitting close to home, Walker’s motivation for her involvement includes being able to enhance research on how to help women specifically, as heart disease and stroke claim the life of a woman every 80 seconds.

_______________

Did You Know?

According to Go Red for Women, men have historically been the subjects of research on heart disease and stroke, making them the basis for treatments and guidelines and leaving a gap in education on the impact of heart disease and stroke on women. Funds donated by the Ergon family went toward the AHA’s Go Red for Women/Woman of Impact initiative to help ensure more balanced measures to treat and/or reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. “I’m proud to be part of the network of women leaning into our power to help transform lives and mitigate the risk of heart disease,” said Walker.

_______________

_______________

Metro Jackson Go Red for Women Luncheon
Following Ergon’s Healthy Heart Campaign, Ergon was honored to attend the 2023 Metro Jackson Go Red for Women Luncheon where Walker was named the Woman of Impact runner up. “I share this recognition with the entire Ergon family for their efforts and generous donations,” said Walker, “Thank you.”

Also, during the luncheon, Cindy Wagner represented Ergon as she catwalked down the Heart Disease Survivor Fashion Show runway. Cindy is a heart attack survivor who is passionate about encouraging women to take care of their hearts.

“The symptoms of women’s heart attacks are so different than men,” said Cindy. “My pain was in the middle of my back and my right jaw — no chest pain, no left arm pain. It turned out I had 98% blockage and had to have a stent put in.” We are grateful to Cindy for sharing her heart story and for being an advocate for women’s heart health.

_______________

Donations to the AHA go toward funding research and education initiatives, supporting advocacy of healthier communities, improving patient care and more.