GREAT NECK, NY -- Nearly 100 Girl Scout cadettes (grades 6-8) from Nassau County took time out this fall to learn what they can do to protect themselves from the greatest threat to them as they grow older – heart disease.

“Heart disease is the number one killer of American women,” said Donna Moravick, NP, vice president of Cardiovascular Services at the North Shore-LIJ Health System.  “By educating young girls about their hearts and sharing the different things they can do to keep them healthy, we’re giving our children an opportunity to make heart healthy choices that will have long-lasting benefits throughout their lives.”

To help reinforce that message, “Love Your Heart,” an interactive workshop held at North Shore University Hospital on November 5th, taught teens and preteens about the body’s hardest working muscle and the many ways they can work to keep it healthy.  The heart’s basic anatomy and function were explained and emphasis was put on the importance of developing healthy habits like exercise activities, making smart food choices and the importance of not smoking.

“The girls received informative handouts and saw models of the heart and sample medical devices for a hands-on experience,” said Donna Ceravolo, CEO, Girl Scouts of Nassau County. “They also met with healthcare professionals who discussed career opportunities in the medical field.  Judging by the evaluation forms submitted at the conclusion of the workshop, each cadette learned a tremendous amount about what they can do to take charge of the future in a way that was fun and entertaining. This program also ties in with our efforts to help girls explore links between body image, media and eating disorders.  In reinforcing the need to maintain a healthy body, The Love Your Heart workshop helps girls take big steps in establishing a healthy body image. ”

 The “Love Your Heart” workshop was designed by North Shore-LIJ Health System’s Division of Cardiovascular Services, the American Heart Association and Girl Scouts of Nassau County and is part of the Girl Scouts Heart Health Patch program.  To earn the patch, the girls need to complete activities related to good heart health, reinforcing good habits to fight heart disease.

“Many women have heart disease because of habits they developed as pre-teens and teenagers,” Donna Moravick said.  “The more we make programs such as this available to girls in their formative years, the better chance they have of avoiding heart disease later in life.”

Media Contact: Carly Colvell
516-562-2351