Olympic Medical Center Foundation's third annual Red, Set, Go! heart luncheon, which was sold out two weeks in advance, was Friday, Feb. 26, at SunLand.

In 2009, the event raised $25,000. In 2010, $38,500 was raised to benefit patients being treated in the cardiac services department at Olympic Medical Center.

The fundraising event also educated and motivated the 200 attendees - nearly all dressed in red - to raise awareness of heart disease.

Chairwoman Sara Maloney said, "Surprisingly, many people are still unaware that heart disease remains the No. 1 killer of women in this country.

"There are many steps each of us can take to reduce our risk of getting this

disease. I believe education is the key to eradicating this disease."

Keynote speaker Dr. Larri Ann Mishko, from the Jamestown Family Health Clinic, shared her personal experiences. Guest speaker Dr. Michael Crim motivated participants to improve their heart health.

Board-certified cardiologist Dr. Kara Kurtz Urnes encouraged attendees to "go" and live an active, heart-healthy lifestyle with the tools and information shared at the event.

Heart attack survivor Steve Mishko shared his personal story to help raise funds to support the recently launched communitywide automated external defibrillator program. After he spoke, $9,650 was raised in a few minutes to buy six AEDs that will be placed in Sequim and Port Angeles police patrol cars.

"There is no doubt that these important devices save lives, and our goal is to reach the maximum number of people in the minimum amount of time," Maloney said.

"Since police officers are often the first responders in an emergency, this is an excellent and essential partnership that we have created to save lives in our community."

The luncheon's presenting sponsor was the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe, and the silver sponsor was the Sequim Gazette. Airlift Northwest, Astellas, Astrazeneca, Cardionet, Avamere Olympic Rehabilitation, First Federal, John L. Scott, Dr. Kara Kurtz Urnes, Philips, Sequim Health & Rehabilitation and Soroptimist International Port Angeles Jet Set were bronze sponsors.