Survivor urges others to attend Go Red event

I am a daughter. I am a wife. I am 29 years old. I am a sudden severe headache with no known cause. I am a stroke. I am laughter and love. I am a horse lover. I am a stroke.

I am sudden confusion and trouble speaking. I am a stroke. I am a blinding headache. I am fear, I am sadness, I am anger, I am a stroke. I am sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. I am a stroke.

I am a best friend. I am memories past and present. I am a stroke. I am sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance and/or coordination. I am a stroke. I am unable to write, unable to speak, unable to read. I am a stroke. I am short-term memory loss.

I am recovered. I am hope. I am possibility and promise. I am a survivor!

I am the American Heart Association Go Red for Women movement.

I am the "legacy celebration" of the fifth annual American Heart Association New Jersey Go Red for Women luncheon May 7.

Love your heart. Change your life. Join me and 500 women from across New Jersey for a day of inspiration, passion, education and special moments May 7 for the American Heart Association Go Red for Women luncheon. Learn more by calling (609) 223-3727.

Linda Maresca

Middletown

New Jersey survivor ambassador

American Heart Association Go Red for Women