A Celebrity Doctor, Women in Red and a Staggering $1.8 Million Raised

When it was announced that ABC News chief medical correspondent, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, was to serve as the keynote speaker for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Luncheon, it was nothing short of a mad dash to secure a ticket.

Ashton, a physician, author, and television correspondent, has reached celebrity status for her appearances on Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show and for her many best-selling books — Eat This, Not That! When You’re Expecting, Your Body Beautiful, The Body Scoop for Girls.

The result of securing such a megawatt keynote was a sea of 1,200 attendees — all wearing rosy shades of red and pink — who descended upon the Omni Dallas hotel for the afternoon to-do.

Before the main event, VIPs — including chairs Judy Hendrick and Katherine and Key Coker and honoree Helen Hobbs — mingled with Ashton during a private reception. It proved to be the perfect opportunity to chat heart health and other women’s health issues with the expert herself. It was also a prime time to snag a pic or a selfie with Ashton to later be posted on Instagram.

After a pre-luncheon glass of champagne, it was on to lunch time.

Over the years, the Go Red for Women Luncheon has become a must attend for the social set — much for its mission of raising funds and awareness for heart health, an issue that hits close to home for the many of the ladies in attendance. (Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women.)

The afternoon has also become a rather notable fashion moment, perhaps one of the few dates on the social calendar during which everyone abides by the dress code.

Red (or shades of pink) is always the color du jour, giving attendees the perfect opportunity to don the rosy hue once more, post Valentine’s Day.

While Ashton’s keynote talk and the fabulous display of fashion was enough to leave luncheon guests fully satiated, the best news came after the fund-raising results were announced.

Year after year, the Go Red for Women Luncheon has broken records, and 2019 was no exception. This year, a staggering $1.8 million was raised, all in a single afternoon — a figure sure to get hearts racing, albeit in the best kind of way.