Photo provided The Ohio Valley’s Woman of Impact nominees are, from left, Wendy Anderson, Jaime Baker, Andrea Trio, Melissa Burkett and Peg Riccadonna.

WHEELING — Five prominent local women will help advance heart health and raise life-saving funds to fight their No. 1 health threat with the American Heart Association, devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, as members of its Ohio Valley 2024 Woman of Impact class.

Now three years into the campaign, this class is the largest yet.

Each year, individuals across the Ohio Valley are nominated by their peers to become an American Heart Association Woman of Impact because of their passion and drive to make a difference in the community and raise awareness of women’s cardiovascular health.

“Cardiovascular disease remains our No. 1 killer so it’s vital for all women to take charge of their heart health and encourage others to do the same,” said Lauren Thomas, development director for the American Heart Association. “While we’ve made some great strides over the years, we still have a long way to go. For example, American Heart Association surveys have found younger generations of women, Gen Z and Millennials, are less likely than prior generations to be aware that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat. We must raise our voices and make sure all Ohio Valley women know how to take steps now to protect our hearts later.”

Woman of Impact is an extension of the American Heart Association’s long-standing Go Red for Women movement, a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally.

While the large majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to take the life of 1 in 3 women.

Beginning on National Wear Red Day, Feb. 2, hundreds of Woman of Impact nominees nationwide embark on a nine-week journey to help transform the health of women. Each week, nominees and their Impact Teams, made up of friends or family members, participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness and health equity. Activities may include educational events, learning and spreading the word about CPR, getting active, recruiting women to participate in research, and more. Nominees and their Impact Teams also raise critical funds for the Ohio Valley American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

In April, the woman whose team has the highest number of impact points — awarded through a combination of fundraising and mission impact activities — is named the Ohio Valley 2024 Woman of Impact Award Winner. The nominee with the most points nationwide will be named the National Woman of Impact Award Winner.

The Ohio Valley’s 2024 Woman of Impact Nominees are:

– Andrea Trio: Principal, Madison Elementary

– Jaime Baker: On-air personality, WTOV 9

– Melissa Burkett, RN BSN CCRN: WVU Medicine

– Peg Riccadonna: Owner, The Snooty Pooch

– Wendy Anderson: Director, St. Clairsville Area Chamber

“By using their influence, their local networks and their unique lived experiences, these volunteers are able to make a measurable difference in the Ohio Valley and we are so grateful for each of them,” Thomas said. “Woman of Impact truly embodies the power of coming together to create important and lasting change for good.”

To learn more about the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in the Ohio Valley, visit 2.heart.org/OhioValleyWVWOI.