The American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact nominees champion heart health through fundraising and philanthropy
 
BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 17, 2026 — More than 60% of U.S. adults will have cardiovascular disease (CVD) by 2050 according to recent data. To kick off American Heart Month this February, four woman and teen leaders in Buffalo are joining the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, to overcome the No. 1 health threat, cardiovascular disease.
By age 18, many adolescents have already developed heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol or Type 2 diabetes, and a growing number of younger adults are experiencing adverse cardiovascular events. That’s why one Buffalo teen is participating in the American Heart Association’s Teen of Impact™ campaign, a nine-week competition that challenges nominated teens to lead with purpose and create meaningful change in their communities. Nominees will compete to build a healthier community by spreading education on heart and brain health while raising critical funds that help in the fight against CVD.
The Heart Association’s Woman of Impact™ program is rallying three local changemakers through the Go Red for Women® movement to improve women’s heart health, address clinical care gaps and raise funds for cardiovascular research and education. Nearly 45% of women over the age of 20 are living with some form of CVD. Woman of Impact nominees will raise funds and awareness to improve women’s heart health and address clinical care gaps.
“When we come together, we are stronger than the leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease,” said Megan Vargulick, executive director of the American Heart Association Buffalo. “Each of the teens and women participating will use their time, talent and influence to educate the community about their risk, encourage them to take action to improve their health and raise critical funds to continue the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association.”
The Woman of Impact and Teen of Impact nationwide initiatives launched onNational Wear Red Day®, Friday, Feb. 6, in cities across the country. Hundreds of nominees will embark on a nine-week competition to help transform heart health. Each week, nominees and their team members participate in activities designed to create a culture of wellness. Activities may include learning CPR and sharing the importance of getting active, recruiting friends and family to participate in research or advocacy and more.
Buffalo’s 2026 Woman of Impact Nominees are:
  • Joanne Matos, heart and stroke survivor
  • Clarissa Rias, owner, Clarissa Rias Digital Marketing Group
  • Rachael Rush, account executive, Spectrum
Buffalo’s 2026 Teen of Impact Nominee is:
  • Mia Schroeder, Niagara Wheatfield High School
After nine weeks of driving impact, the competition will culminate on April 9. The nominee from each campaign who raises the most lifesaving funds will be named the Buffalo 2026 Woman of Impact winner and Buffalo 2026 Teen of Impact winner. In addition to local market winners, the woman and teen nominee who raised the most nationwide, will be named the National Woman of Impact winner and Teen of Impact winner.
To learn more about the American Heart Association’s work in Buffalo, visitHeart.org/GoRedBuffalo.