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When former "Charlie's Angels" star Cheryl Ladd came to Hollywood, she was told to start smoking to stay thin for a successful acting career.

It took the

55-year-old actress five years to completely quit the habit she had for 23 years.

"When I think back of how stupid I was ... and everyone did it," Ladd said, "I figured it was better than diet pills."

Ladd is the keynote speaker for the second annual Go Red for Women Luncheon sponsored by Mercy Hospital Fairfield on May 4 at the Manor House in Mason. The luncheon raises money for women-specific heart and stroke research and women-specific educational programs.

Heart disease has been called the "silent killer" among women, said Adrienne Cronebaugh, the American Heart Association's Go Red for

Women director. She said more women die from cardiovascular diseases than the next seven leading causes of death among women combined.

The luncheon starts at 10 a.m., with Ladd speaking at noon. Ladd said she plans to talk about her life and how she is living a healthy lifestyle to avoid heart disease.

Most of the people in Ladd's family were unaware of their heart problems until they were in their 70s.

"Instead of being proactive, they had to live reactively," Ladd said. "They did not know the importance of not smoking and eating healthy."

The luncheon also has educational sessions that focus on healthy living, diet and exercise.

At last year's event, 300 people attended the sold-out inaugural luncheon featuring actress Jane Seymour held at the Cincinnati Marriott North in West Chester Twp. That event raised $115,000, Cronebaugh said.

This year, with 500 people expected to attend, it is projected the event will raise $200,000.

Ladd's healthy lifestyle started when she moved out of Los Angeles 17 years ago.

"I turned a corner, and had a chance to move out of the big city and into a quieter environment," Ladd said. "I went back to church and did things that were lacking."

Ladd is an avid golfer who plays for the exercise and fresh air. She said outside of the occasional bad shot, it also helps her relieve stress. She walks on a regular basis and takes a water aerobics class.

"You have to find, particularly in exercise, the one or two things that are fun," Ladd said of incorporating exercise into everyday life. "If it isn't fun, you won't do it. If you love to walk, and fresh air, get out and walk and talk with your friends."

Seats are still available for $100 a person at the luncheon, which includes the educational sessions and a health expo. Call Cronebaugh at (513) 842-8877 to reserve a seat or for Go Red for Women information. This fall, Go Red for Women will be holding its inaugural Go Red for Women golf outing at Wetherington Golf and Country Club in West Chester Twp.

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