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Go Red Campaign for Women’s Awareness of
Cardiovascular Disease Starts Friday
Majority still not aware
it is the number one killer of American women
 Jan.
31, 2005 – Women will be wearing red on Friday, February 4, for the
second annual “Go Red for Women” campaign by the American Heart
Association to increase awareness that cardiovascular disease is the
number one killer of American women - exceeding the next seven causes of
death combined, including cancer. It is a threat that increases with
age.
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The association is asking women to "go red" by
donning a favorite red article of clothing to show their support for the
movement, which encourages women to take charge of their heart health in
order to lead stronger, healthier lives.
Those looking to show their support can also wear
the official Go Red For Women Red Dress Pin, the national symbol for the
important cause of women and heart disease. Red dress pins are available
free from the American Heart Association (Click
Here for the pin and more information).
The initiative, which is nationally sponsored by
Macy’s and Pfizer, encourages women to take charge of their heart health
by making it a top priority so they can live stronger, longer lives.
Over 40 percent of all female deaths in America
occur from CVD, which includes coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.
It is estimated to kill about 500,000 women in America each year. More
women dir from stokes than men. Yet, surveys have shown a majority of
women do not see it as the largest death threat for women.
To build awareness of heart disease, which claims
nearly a half million women’s lives every year, the American Heart
Association will:
officially launch Go Red For Women at Macy's
Herald Square on February 4, 2004, with actress Daryl Hannah as national
spokesperson and a fashion show featuring Swarovski Crystal’s Little Red
Dress Collection. Ten of America’s top fashion designers created the
Little Red Dress Collection as a creative vehicle to draw attention to
the cause of women and heart disease;
encourage women and men to wear red clothing and
accessories on "National Wear Red Day for Women" (February 6) in
support of all women who have been touched by heart disease or stroke;
illuminate national and local treasures such as
Niagara Falls and the Empire State Building in red light beginning on
the evening of Thursday, February 5, to remind people to wear red the
next day;
release new heart-health guidelines for women and
publicize new survey findings about women’s awareness of heart disease.
In cities across the United States, American Heart
Association divisions and Pfizer’s sales force are distributing red
dress pins to remind women to take steps every day to live healthier
lives, and to encourage city officials, news personalities, medical
personnel, and Americans of every walk of life to participate in
“National Wear Red Day for Women” on February 6.
“We need a bold color like red to draw attention to
heart disease, which is women’s greatest health threat,” said Coletta
Barrett, R.N., MHA, chairman of the board of the American Heart
Association. “Red symbolizes women’s power to take control of their
health and is a reminder of the passion we all feel for the women whose
lives have been affected.”
Through the Go Red For Women campaign, the
American Heart Association seeks to improve the women’s heart health by
providing education and tools about women and heart disease to: the
general public -- to help women reduce their risk by providing
information on healthful eating, exercising, quitting smoking,
maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and
controlling diabetes; healthcare professionals -- to ensure that women
are treated according to the American Heart Association’s guidelines;
federal, state and local policy makers -- to encourage them to support
policies to improve women’s cardiovascular health; and corporations --
to encourage them to participate in the Wear Red Day corporate
fundraiser to help fight heart disease.
The American Heart
Association also advises learning your family’s medical history
and visiting your doctor to find out if you are at risk for heart
disease or stroke. If a healthy diet and regular exercise aren’t
enough, ask your doctor about medication and take it as prescribed.
Even if women take medication, a healthy diet and exercise are still
important.
“Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular
diseases claim more women’s lives each year than the next five causes of
death combined, and nearly twice as many as
all forms of cancer, including breast cancer,” said
Alice Jacobs, M.D., president-elect of the American Heart Association.
“We believe Go Red For Women will raise women’s awareness of this
major health problem.”
The campaign is nationally co-sponsored by Macy’s,
which is developing a total marketing effort (including special red
merchandise) to benefit the American Heart Association, and Pfizer,
which will conduct educational campaigns throughout the country.
Go Red For Women also is funded
with an educational grant from PacifiCare.
Consumers can support heart disease and stroke
research and education by purchasing designated products and gift items
from companies such as Angel Wreaths, Le Mystere, Macy’s, OPI Products,
Pantene, St. John, Swarovski Crystal, Reebok and Walgreens. A portion
of the proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit the American
Heart Association programs and activities for women.
“Our focus is to
empower women to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke,”
said Nieca Goldberg, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at New York
University. “The Go Red For Women
campaign outlines a plan to help women take action against heart disease
and make heart disease prevention a part of their life, because your
heart is your life.”
Call 1-888-MY-HEART (694 – 3278) to receive
the American Heart Association’s red dress pin, a women and heart
disease brochure and wallet card to track your cholesterol, blood
pressure and weight or visit
www.americanheart.org for more information on Go Red For
Women, including where to purchase products that benefit the cause,
and information on these free American Heart Association lifestyle
programs:
Choose To MoveSM , which gives
women practical ways to build more physical activity into their existing
routine over 12 weeks.
Simple Solutions, which helps women
incorporate easy, healthy changes into their lives.
About the American Heart Association
Since 1924 the American Heart Association has
helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of
heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 3
killers, and other cardiovascular diseases, claim nearly a million
American lives a year. The association invested more than $348 million
in fiscal year 2002-03 for research, professional and public education,
and advocacy so people across America learn what they can do to reduce
their risk and live stronger, longer lives.
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