Furman’s Bell Tower goes red for women’s heart health

Furman University’s iconic Bell Tower glowed red on Feb. 6 for the American Heart Association (AHA) Go Red for Women campaign, raising awareness for women’s cardiovascular health.

Furman’s Institute for the Advancement of Community Health (IACH) has long partnered with the AHA to collaborate and provide students the opportunity to get involved with community health initiatives. Kerry Sease, IACH executive director, said the goal is to empower women to take charge of their heart health during American Heart Month, while also addressing gender gaps in research, education and care.

“Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and not everyone knows that women’s heart attacks can look differently from men’s,” Sease said. “Awareness and community education is a key piece to the puzzle of eliminating health disparities.”

Cierra Friez ’27, middle, was among the Furman University students who partnered with the AHA through Furman’s Institute for the Advancement of Community Health to help with the STEM Goes Red event. Photo provided by IACH.

Tedra McGillan ’18, a Furman alumna and AHA community impact director said despite facing unique cardiovascular health challenges, “women have been historically left out of research, testing, treatment and funding.”

Lighting up the Bell Tower is just one way Furman has helped the AHA advance community health. In 2024 Furman was awarded a $5 million grant from the AHA and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to help advance community health research and community involvement, with a focus on reducing chronic disease rates in communities facing barriers to wellbeing. Students interested in exploring work in community health and medicine have worked through IACH to lend a hand to AHA events, including Upstate STEM Goes Red, a daylong experience where Furman students helped inspire and empower local middle school girls to pursue a STEM career.

“Through STEM Goes Red, I was able to advocate for cardiovascular health awareness and be part of a group enabling this educational opportunity for students in the Greenville community,” said biology major Cierra Friez ’27. Working with IACH “allowed me to apply what I learn in the classroom to real-world health challenges and experiences, which has enriched my appreciation and dedication to my coursework,” she said.

Through partnerships like this, Furman students can learn practical lessons while lending a hand in tackling some of the most challenging health concerns facing communities.

“It has been inspiring to engage with students who are passionate about heart health, being in the community and understanding why this work is so important,” McGillan said.

To learn more about Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association, click here.