Kim Capers, CHIP outreach coordinator at Capital BlueCross, and Hope Pearson, vice president of community lending for Community First Fund, have been named co-chairs of the 2017 Lehigh Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon.

The annual women’s heart health awareness and fundraiser will take place May 12, 2017, at ArtsQuest at SteelStacks Musikfest Café, Bethlehem.

In addition to Capers involvement with the American Heart Association, she is engaged in a variety of community activities including serving on the board of directors executive committee of the Minsi Trail Boy Scouts, the board of associates executive committee of Lehigh Valley Health Network, the board of directors governance committee of Pine Brook Family Answers, the advisory council of Healthy Kids, Healthy Allentown, the board of directors of the Bethlehem YWCA, and the board of directors of the March of Dimes.

She was honored for her community service with the Athena Award from the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2015 and the Take the Lead Award from Girl Scouts in 2010.

“Heart disease has impacted my life since I was a little girl,” Capers said. “I realize the importance of research and finding a cure for this silent killer, because I lost five beautiful aunts and a grandfather to heart attacks.

“Just recently, in March, my husband and I received an emergency phone call from a relative that my mother-in-law in Atlanta had been found near death in her home from a stroke. We are lucky to still have her in our lives.”

Pearson previously held leadership roles at New Tripoli Bank and Santander Bank.

She was named a 2015 Woman of Influence by Lehigh Valley Business Journal.

In addition to her service to the American Heart Association, Pearson serves as a board member for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Women’s Business Council, serves as co-chair of the board of directors for Neighborhood Housing Services of the Lehigh Valley, and is a member of CREW Lehigh Valley and the Allentown West Rotary Club.

She also serves as the Rotary Club Advisor for the Northwestern Lehigh High School Interact Club.

“As mothers, sisters, wives and friends, it is important for us to know the signs of heart disease and how to prevent it,” Pearson said. “My goal is to educate not only myself, but all women in order to provide for a healthier future for all of us.”

Lehigh Valley Go Red for Women Luncheon is the premier event of the Go Red for Women campaign that launched with the ‘Purse’nalities auction on Aug. 25 and also includes the celebration of National Wear Red Day on Feb. 3, 2017.

The luncheon is sponsored locally by Lehigh Valley Health Network, Reproductive Medicine of PA, Capital BlueCross and Highmark.

For more information about sponsorship opportunities or tickets, visit lehighvalleygored.heart.org or contact Dawn Fernandez at 614-396-3506 or dawn.fernandez@heart.org.