Van Kleunen

More than 1,000 area women participated in a record-breaking American Heart Association Woman of Impact campaign that raised awareness and funds to combat heart disease and stroke in women.

Amy Van Kleunen of Duncansville is the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Blair Woman of Impact Winner for 2025. Van Kleunen set a new local record and state record, ranked 11th among campaign participants nationwide, and made the campaign’s Centennial Club by achieving 100,000 impact points. She was one of six participants in the Woman of Impact campaign for the Blair American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

The Blair campaign placed 26th in the country and raised $118,000, said Vanessa Houser, development director for AHA. “That’s a new record for Pennsylvania and its highest finish,” Houser said.

Additional Woman of Impact nominees were Carolyn Donaldson of State College; Cassie Fisher, CRNP, BMA Cardiology of Bedford; Dr. Maureen Letcher, principal, Hollidaysburg Area High School; Gina Lechene, Lead Advanced Practice Provider, APP Supervisor, UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford; and Mandy Lasinsky, Nurse Practitioner, BMA Cardiology.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S. and disproportionately affects women of color.

“Thanks to the efforts of incredible leaders like Amy Van Kleunen and all of our nominees, we’re making strides to ensure all women in Blair County are seen, heard and counted when it comes to their health,” said Houser. “Together, we have the power to help ensure more women are represented in research, have the information they need for heart health through every stage of life and receive quality and timely care. The power of our community coming together creates better health outcomes for all of us.”

The women held CPR training events, various exercise classes, educational seminars and made educational videos.

Van Kleunen said a discussion led by UPMC Altoona’s Kristi Montrella, CRNP, exceeded two hours.

“People were so engaged and curious about their own health, and it helped get them started in the process of how heart disease can be prevented or mitigated through lifestyle and medication changes,” Van Kleunen said. A physical therapist at Powerback, she held exercise-related events to get women moving, such as yoga, jazzercise, zumba classes and a swim-a-thon, among other events.

“My team was so dynamic and an amazing group of women. We surprised ourselves a little bit on how well we did,” she said. “While the fundraising was important, our favorite things to do were more tied to education and increasing awareness.”

It’s even more impressive because other national finishers were from large metropolitan areas.

“So it makes me extra proud of our community to pull this off,” Van Kleunen said, noting she had more than 400 individual donors contribute to her campaign, which raised $80,000.

Van Kleunen became involved because of her family’s three generation history of cardiomyopathy and its consequences. Her father, Ed Eaton of Stewartstown, York County, received a heart transplant 16 years ago Wednesday — the day Van Kleunen received the news of her campaign standings.

Eaton and his wife, Wendy, who were in town to celebrate their daughter’s WISE Women of Blair County award, were present when heart association organizers knocked on the Van Kleunen front door with signs, balloons and a cowbell to celebrate.

“It was like a Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes moment,” he said. “She’s always been a high achiever, so it doesn’t surprise me that she was able to do it. She had a wonderful team that was very knowledgeable and had a lot of enthusiasm, and together they made it all happen.”

As an organ recipient, Eaton said it’s especially meaningful because he’s benefited from the scientific advances that result from research funded by such campaigns. Getting the news on his transplant anniversary “was really special.”

Van Kleunen will be recognized May 22 at the Go Red for Women dinner at 6 p.m. May 22 at the Blair County Convention Center. Visit heart.org/blairgored to purchase tickets.

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.