The Reminder.com Newspaper Article- TC Eckstein Go Red

Outreach, local advocate tapped to spread Go Red message

 Feb. 8, 2018 |  Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Google+

2018 National Go Red Leading Lady Theresa “TC” Eckstein of Westfield.
Reminder Publications submitted photo

GREATER SPRINGFIELD – February is traditionally heart health awareness month, but in 2018, the local American Heart Association (AHA) campaign will take a slightly different approach.

Conspicuously absent, for example, will be the annual Western Massachusetts Go Red for Women luncheon.

“The Go Red luncheon only focuses on the people in the room, we really want to focus on everyone – men, women, children – and people from different backgrounds,” said Mary Ann Burns, director of Communications for AHA’s Connecticut and Western Massachusetts office. “After looking at the market, we decided we need to take a break from some of our events like the luncheon and look at other ways to drive our message.”

Burns said the move “doesn’t mean we’re getting away from Go Red” and the need to talk about the fact that heart disease is the #1 killer of women, it just means the AHA plans to take a broader approach to getting their message out.

“We want to take our message to the public through social media channels and news stories,” she said. “We’re trying to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke and tell people they need to pay attention to their health –know their blood pressure number, their cholesterol numbers, be active and eat healthy. These are the things we are going to talk about throughout the year, not just on one day at the Go Red luncheon.”

Among these new approaches will be a social media campaign focused on congenital heart defects and research Feb. 7 to 14. There will also be events throughout the year featuring heart disease survivors, including an upcoming T.V. appearance and ongoing print and social media coverage featuring 2018 National Go Red Leading Lady Theresa “TC” Eckstein of Westfield.

Heart disease – in particular congestive heart failure from her father’s side – has plagued Eckstein’s family for at least two generations.

“I lost my father at age 55, my brother died at age 55 of heart disease [and] my older sister, at 58 was diagnosed [after a heart attack] and had a pacemaker implanted,” Eckstein said.

Eckstein herself was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure in 2005, after suffering 10 years of troubling symptoms following the birth of her daughter 1995. In 2009 doctors determined her weakened heart – which showed evidence of rheumatic fever scarring from childhood – also required a pacemaker.

An advocate for the American Heart Association since 2006, she was selected as Go Red Leading Lady for Eastern and Central Massachusetts in 2010, and in Western Massachusetts in 2016. Eckstein said Burns recommended she be selected for the national honor because of her dedication to raising awareness about heart disease in both women and men.

“It’s my way of giving back,” she said, adding that without help from the American Heart Association she wouldn’t be where she is today. “If I can save someone else the pain and point them in the right direction [and show them] it’s not a death sentence, there is life after heart disease.”

Eckstein said she joined 10 other National Go Red Leading Ladies in Texas late last year to record message for social media and take part in photo shoots and interviews for inclusion in publications such as Good Housekeeping. She’s also provided interviews for the digital version of the local African-American newspaper Unity First, an online magazine, Compulsive, from New York, and WTCC radio.

A nurse for 15 years before her 2009 diagnosis and pacemaker forced her onto disability, Eckstein said her medical training didn’t really touch on heart disease and its implications.

“Even as a nurse I was not that informed about heart health,” she said. “As I found out more and more information I started taking better care of myself, eating healthy foods and learning exercise levels that are safe for me.”

Though heart disease may have ended her nursing career, Eckstein said she is grateful she has been able to pursue her second love, jazz singing, despite her health limitations. She has been featured on five bestselling jazz albums, and produces a weekly arts-focused program for Comcast’s Focus Springfield community channel, TC Eckstein’s 413 Community Café, which broadcasts on Friday nights at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 12.

Public service announcements for heart health and heart disease awareness are a big focus of every show, Eckstein said, adding individuals interested in having her speak to their group or organization about heart health can contact her at tcecksteincafe@gmail.com.

Burns said individuals looking to start taking charge of their own heart health can access free tools, such as MyLifeCheck – Life’s Simple 7 online at www.heart.org. Use the search tool to locate My Life Check and access the Life’s Simple 7 information link.