CHALLENGE: GO RED FOR SOPHIA
HENDERSON COUNTY - The family of an 11 year-old Girl Scout is asking people to wear red on Tuesday, October 21, while she undergoes heart surgery.
Janna Carter's daughter, Sophia, was diagnosed with a heart disease over the summer.
Carter created a community Facebook page called, "Go Red for Sophia."
She is challenging people to wear red on the day of Sophia's surgery - October 21 - then take a photo and share it on the Facebook page.
"Part of this is to show support for Sophia, but it's also to spread awareness about heart disease and the importance of women's heart health. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, even more so than cancer," said Carter.
Sophia appreciates the support, because the surgery is scary for her. She also hopes that spreading awareness about heart disease will help change people's perception that it only happens to people who are unhealthy.
"She eats well and exercises daily. In fact, she'll have the surgery just in time to begin swim season," said Carter of her daughter. "We want people to know this can happen to anyone."
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About Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois: Girl Scouts is the premier leadership development program for girls where girls can have fun, make new friends and learn new things in a safe all-girl setting. Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois serves over 17,000 girls in 38 counties. For more information, visit GirlScoutsToday.com or call your local Girl Scout Leadership Center at 800-798-0833.
