On February 7th, people across the United States will be celebrating National Wear Red Day, which is a day of awareness and celebration surrounding women’s heart health and heart disease and heart attack prevention. One of the places that Wear Red Day will be celebrated is right here at Doherty Memorial High School. I recently interviewed Dr. Mulcahy, a teacher with deep ties to the day, and Leah Harris, a student, for whom heart health has a very strong personal significance.
“We need to raise awareness of women’s heart health and about heart attacks in women,” said Dr. Mulcahy, an educator who has taught at Doherty for many years, and has been a vocal advocate of Wear Red Day for a decade, even planning events for the day. “We need every student to wear red in solidarity, and I will be giving out free T-shirts and other memorabilia.” Dr. Mulcahy also commented that, “This day should unify everyone over the leading cause of death for women, and also men, I think some people forget about that.” Dr. Mulcahy also told me the somber story of her mother, who was a WPS first grade teacher. She unfortunately passed away from a life threatening A-fib (Atrial Fibrillation) and first-responders could not defibrillate her in time, according to Dr. Mulcahy. “I really work hard at this event to honor my mom…she was a wonderful first grade teacher in Worcester for her career.”
I then interviewed Leah Harris, a student who recently wrote an article that was picked up by the National Heart Association. “I wasn’t at all expecting it to get public awareness, but Dr. Mulcahy submitted it for me and they liked it,” Ms. Harris commented. “My father is the most important person to me…he had a widowmaker heart attack.” The article in question may be included in an National Heart Association publication.
Another thing happening as National Wear Red Day approaches is the decoration of classrooms. Dr. Mulcahy’s classroom is filled with red decorations and flyers that are slowly being posted all over the school. As the day approaches, more classrooms will presumably be decorated, either for National Wear Red Day, or for the rapidly approaching Valentine’s Day that often overshadows it.
When asked for any closing remarks to leave the interview with, Ms. Harris said, “We need to celebrate this, because [heart problems] can happen to anyone.” According to the American Heart Association, one woman dies from heart disease every minute in the US, and about 1 in 5 of all female deaths are from heart disease. Dr. Mulcahy ended our interview with, “Life is fragile, we need to celebrate it.”
As National Wear Red Day approaches, Dr. Mulcahy will continue her advocacy for women’s heart health, and Leah Harris will await the possible publication of her article by the American Heart Association. Happy National Wear Red Day to everyone!