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Tracey Conway will tell those at the Go Red for Women luncheon on May 2 how she died at 38 years old.

Conway was an actress on "Almost Live," Seattle-based television comedy show seen regionally, for just more than four years when she died. After a show, as always, the host and crew were saying goodbye to the studio and television audience when she collapsed.

She said she was dead until paramedics shocked her back to life with an automated external defibrillator. It took six shocks. A volunteer firefighter in the audience was able to keep her brain alive with the aggressive chest compressions as he did CPR until paramedics arrived, she said.

This is the third year for the Go Red for Women Empowerment Luncheon in Greater Cincinnati. This year it is being held at the Savannah Center in West Chester Twp.

Thirteen years later, the 51-year-old actress-turn-speaker shares her experience to various organizations and companies, including many Go Red events around the country, and the importance of having a healthy heart.

"Women should love that fist-sized organ in the middle of their body. That's their lifeline," Conway said.

Conway has ventricular fibrillation which led to the sudden cardiac arrest. Basically, she said her heart suffered a short circuit. According to statistics, Conway said she survived the 20-1 odds of dying.

Heart disease is the top killer among women in Ohio. Nearly 460,000 women are killed because of cardiovascular disease, which is more than the next five causes of death combined, said Adrienne Cronebaugh, American Heart Association Go Red For Women Director.

"It's our cornerstone event for our year-round Go Red movement," she said. "This is where we raise the majority of our funds and goes to heart-specific education and research."

Since the local luncheon began, attendance has increased from 300 to more than 500 people.

"It's given us the ability and reach to educate thousands and thousands of women in the Cincinnati region," Cronebaugh said.

One of the messages Conway said she hopes to get across is for women not to be selfish.

"If you're not around and not healthy, or as healthy you can be, then it's a disservice to all the people around you," she said.

While the R.S.V.P. deadline has past, Cronebaugh said if they are available she will still take reservations for the May 2 event. Tickets are $100 each and tables are $1,000. Sponsorships are also available. Contact Cronebaugh at (513) 842-8877.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.

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