Since 2009 María Vargas-Pion has been a national and local spokeswoman for the "Go Red for Women" and "Go Red Por Tu Corazón," the American Heart Association campaigns dedicated to creating awareness about heart disease in women, the number one killer of females in the nation.

In this volunteer role, she has been inspired by many wonderful women, heart disease survivors, activists, and passionate women who dedicated their lives for the betterment of others.

"Having the opportunity to be chosen for this cause has been life-changing for my entire family and myself," says María, who has lost many members of her family to heart disease.

"At the age of 85, my grandfather and I danced "Merengue Típico" on a Christmas vacation that I spent in the Dominican Republic. Four months later, that moment became a treasure in my mind as it was our last dance. A heart attack took away a lovely father, grandfather, and husband." María recalled emotionally.

Her mother, aunts, uncles, and other family members are currently living with heart disease risk factors. With this strong family history of heart disease, Vargas-Pion knew that she needed to take control of her health.

She started changing her eating habits, making time to exercise regularly, and visiting her doctor more often. "It was a challenge to find ways of cooking healthy without changing the flavor of my traditional Hispanic food, but I was surprised that just by lowering the level of salt, the sugar, baking or grilling instead of frying, my food still tasted so good," said María.

Today, Vargas-Pion's new dietary habits have impacted the health of her family and herself in many positive ways.

In the U.S., one of three deaths among women each year is caused by heart disease. María has learned that with the correct information, education, and care, heart disease in women can be treated, prevented, and even ended. In the last years, together with the American Heart Association, she has dedicated part of her time to helping inform and educate the Hispanic community to live a heart-healthy life.

According to the American Heart Association, Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease ten years earlier than non-Hispanics, and what is equally alarming is that only one in three Hispanic women are aware that heart disease is their number one killer.

"Knowing these facts and my family history of heart disease led me to decide to "Go Red" to take action in helping my community," said María. Whether speaking in public events or just motivating family, friends, and coworkers, she has made it her mission to help save lives.

"In these past years we have gone above, and beyond to create awareness, we have turned the Empire State Building red, rang The NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell several times, took the movement to Broadway, appeared in various television shows, in newspapers, magazines and Latino events with Macy's.

It has been indeed a journey but touching the individual lives of family and friends fulfills me more than any of these national and local events," said Vargas-Pion.

María is also a yearly advisor of the committee in charge of the New York Latino Health Summit conducted for the last four years. In 2013, besides organizing the media panel for the summit, she was also the moderator.

Her dedication and effort as a volunteer for "Go Red for Women" and the "Go Red Por Tu Corazón" campaigns led her to be recognized as "New York Exceptional Latina 2010" by New York City's oldest Hispanic newspaper, El Diario NY.