Hard Hats with Heart 2019: Triangle AEC Firms Unite around Health, Safety and Wellness
While Hurricane Dorian rumbled by North Carolina, Triangle area construction industry companies and service providers united around a common cause – the health, safety and wellness of the community – at the American Heart Association’s Fourth Annual Hard Hats with Heart event on Thursday evening, September 5, 2019. Presented by Brasfield & Gorrie, Builders Mutual, Martin Marietta, RMF Engineering and Skanska, Hard Hats with Heart was held at PNC Arena in Raleigh.
Before the main event started, a more intimate group gathered to watch a panel discussion about women’s heart health. The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement focuses on this topic, raising awareness to the fact that one in three women will have their lives taken by cardiovascular disease. Leaders from in and out of the construction industry talked about the importance of prioritizing workplace health.
For the remainder of the evening, participants networked with industry peers while enjoying heart-healthy tailgating food, a cornhole tournament and other popular games like the Canes hockey shoot-out and free throw toss.
John Forslund, play-by-play announcer for the Carolina Hurricanes, served as emcee for the evening. Forslund opened the event by sharing his personal connection to the American Heart Association; while he was a young adult, Forslund’s father passed away due to cardiovascular disease.
A local family then took the stage to share their own story. Courtney Humphrey shared that his daughter, Elizabeth, was born with a congenital heart defect. Thanks to advancements by the American Heart Association, his daughter had a successful open-heart surgery and was back to living her normal life within days.
Hard Hats with Heart attendees say they come back each year because they’re able to bring attention to the American Heart Association’s mission, which has affected so many individuals in the construction industry. Cardiovascular disease is more prevalent in the construction industry than other industries, which could be due to the higher rate of smoking, one of the largest risk factors for heart disease and stroke.
Sponsors for the 2020 Hard Hats with Heart event have already committed their support including Presenting Sponsors Brasfield & Gorrie, Builders Mutual, Martin Marietta, RMF Engineering and Skanska, as well as Project Sponsors Adams Electric, Rodgers Building Company and Perkins & Will. Triangle Life is Why Sponsor Duke Heart will also be continuing their support.
About Hard Hats with Heart
For more information visit http://trianglehhwh.heart.org or contact the Jennifer Dauphinais, American Heart Association Triangle Director at jennifer.dauphinais@heart.org or 919.463.8315.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
PHOTO CREDIT: The Picture Guy Photography LLC
