Informed women are healthy women
On Thursday, April 4, 2019, the Prince’s Palace, and other institutions, were illuminated in bright red in support of the initiative lead by Chantal Ravera and the members of Femmes Leaders Mondiales Monaco(FLMM), who organized their third fundraising Gala under the theme “Save Women’s hearts.” The event took place at the Yacht Club in the presence of Princess Stephanie of Monaco and more than 300 guests. (Photo: Prince’s Palace illuminated in Red @Celina Lafuente de Lavotha)
Among the dignitaries present were Marine de Carne-Trecesson, France’s Ambassador to Monaco, Stephane Valeri, President of the National Council, Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of Health & Social Affairs, and other personalities such as Dr. Jean-Joseph Pastor, and Nicole Barbin, President of Femmes Leaders Mondiales.
In a jubilant and cheerful mood, women all dressed in red and a few good men, gathered to defend a cause still little known around the world: the risk of cardiovascular disease in women.
They joined the Go Red for Women movement launched in 2004 by the American Heart Association, to empower women to take charge of their health, increasing awareness about the danger of heart disease in women worldwide, and save lives. The cause was adopted in France in 2015 by Isabelle Weill, President of the AJILA Foundation, and in Monaco by Femmes Leaders Mondiales Monaco with the support of Princess Stephanie.
Art saves lives
The funds raised through the auction of 28 beautiful works of art, generously donated by the artists, will benefit the Princess Grace Hospital Center and the Cardio-Thoracic Center of Monaco to finance cardiac interventions for underprivileged women who reside close to the Principality.
The total amount collected could not be unveiled at the time this article was published, but Chantal Ravera informed us it should be equivalent to the funds raised the previous year of around Euro 40,000.
Draw-Me a World
Draw-Me a World is the first of a triptych contest dedicated to the arts: visual arts, music, and photography, to create awareness about the need to protect women’s hearts. FLMM launched the drawing contest in 2018 with the participation of 35 countries. During the Gala dinner, the three winning entries were unveiled, and a book including all the drawings was issued and distributed to the guests and will be sent to all the participating schools.
The winning entries were:
- Makef – Benin
- Lorenzo Gramaccia – Italy
- Joyce Tasang Man Pun – Mauritius
(Photo: Princess Stephanie, the three winners of the contest Draw-Me a World and artists who donated artworks @Alain Duprat, NewDay Monaco)
The prestigious members of the jury who selected the winners, and who also donated their artwork for the auction were: Mateo MORNAR, MOYA, Anthony ALBERTI aka Mr ONE TeasLaurence JENKELL, Fiona TAN, and BELI. They were all present at the Gala.
Chantal Ravera announced the third contest is about music and is entitled “Listen to a world of music.”
Prevention is better than cure
Worldwide, women live an average of four years longer than men. Globally, cardiovascular disease, often thought to be a “male” problem; in reality, it is the number one killer of women according to the World Heart Federation (WHO). Heart complications in women are under-recognized and undertreated.
The good news is that most CDV diseases are preventable if risks factors are controlled, such as remaining active, stop smoking and protecting from tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, checking your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose regularly, eating healthy and being aware of the warning signs.
The Monegasque association published a Prevention Booklet with a compilation of an extensive list of healthy recommendations, prefaced by Prince Albert and Princess Stephanie, and supported by a Scientific Committee of the CHPG and CMM. The 50,000 copies of the booklet have been distributed not only in the Principality, but also in Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Russia, England, USA, and Africa, plus the UN, WHO and the European Council.
Today’s Quote
“No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart.” Shanina Shaik
Monaco Reporter 