Security Mutual Goes Red for Heart Health

February is American Heart Month, and together with people and companies throughout the United States, Security Mutual employees are wearing red and taking steps to improve heart health. “We are honored to be part of American Heart Month,” said Security Mutual Chairman and CEO Bruce W. Boyea. “It’s all about education. And to remind people to educate themselves about heart health and take steps to help reduce their risk of heart disease, Security Mutual is joining the national wave of red from coast to coast and is lighting its building red.”

“American Heart Month unites millions of people for a singular cause: to fight for a world of longer and healthier lives,” said Franklin Fry, Executive Director of the American Heart Association (AHA). “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans, but 80 percent is preventable through small lifestyle changes such as eating better, physical activity, and not vaping and not smoking.”

The AHA encourages all of us to arm ourselves against heart disease by knowing our numbers: blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol. To this end, UHS is teaming up with the AHA to sponsor the “Check It! Challenge.”  “The Challenge empowers people to take ownership of their health by using careful self-monitoring,” said UHS Chairman and CEO John Carrigg. “So for four months—American Heart Month in February through American Stroke Month in May—we’re asking people to take their blood pressure twice each  month and track their results online.” The AHA offers educational materials to help people understand what their blood pressure means and how they can help keep it under control.

Carrigg is also chairperson of the 2020 Southern Tier Heart Walk, which takes place April 5 at SUNY Broome. This event brings thousands of people together to get active while raising money for the AHA’s research, education and other advocacy programs.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar emphasized the need for raising awareness and the importance of taking some of the small steps recommended by the AHA so we and our loved ones can enjoy longer, healthier lives.

“One of the things I really like about this particular event is we are talking being proactive instead of being reactive,” said Binghamton Mayor Richard David. “Unfortunately, too many of us know somebody . . . who has been impacted or has been taken far too early from us as a result of having a heart issue. While we come together at this time every year, it’s really something we should be at least thinking about every single day.”

In addition to lighting the Company’s Home Office building red, Security Mutual is sponsoring a company fundraising event to benefit the AHA and its programs and is sharing AHA educational materials with its employees. Security Mutual takes this opportunity to remind everyone to check their numbers, and we invite other companies throughout the country to join us in wearing red and sponsoring workplace initiatives to help spread the AHA’s lifesaving message.