Go Red For Women Mobilizes Fight Against Heart Diseases

WALLINGFORD — Thousands of Americans will help women fight heart disease when they participate in the second year of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women initiative, as it gears up again in February.

Go Red For Women began in February 2004 to raise awareness that heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer. The grassroots campaign has since grown into a vibrant national movement as more women, men, celebrities, health care providers, and politicians embrace and elevate the cause of women and heart disease.

The campaign provides women tips and information on healthy eating, exercise, and risk factor reduction, such as smoking cessation, weight maintenance, blood pressure control, and blood cholesterol management.

“Last year, we discovered an alarming fact — that women still don’t know heart disease is their No. 1 killer,” said Alice Jacobs, MD, president of the American Heart Association. “In fact, more women still believe that cancer is the greatest health problem facing them today. Go Red For Women is beginning to change that.”

Sponsored by national sponsors Macy’s and Pfizer, with additional support from the PacifiCare Foundation and Bayer Aspirin, the American Heart Association’s activities in February include:

National Wear Red Day. On this national observance created by the American Heart Association, thousands of people, including employees at close to 2,000 companies, national and local news anchors, and talk-show hosts will wear red on February 4 to support the cause. The red dress and the color red are symbols for women and heart disease and the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement.

National landmarks and monuments. National and local landmarks — including the Seattle Space Needle, Niagara Falls, the Empire State Building, Graceland and more — will be illuminated in red during February, American Heart Month, to further raise awareness of women and heart disease.

The red dress pin — get one, give one. Thousands have already added the red dress pin to their fashion accessory collection to support the women and heart disease movement. This year, women are urged to get two free red dress pins — one to wear and one to share with someone they care about. Pins are available by calling 888-MY-HEART.

National celebrity spokesperson. Grammy award-winning R&B vocalist Toni Braxton, among several celebrities involved in Go Red For Women, is the national spokeswoman in 2005. “I am so pleased to be joining Go Red For Women, not only because heart disease has touched me personally, but also because I can assist in taking the message to the thousands of women who don’t know that heart disease is their No. 1 one health risk,” she said.

Red Dress Statue Collection. More than 20 celebrities in fashion, music, food, television, film and sports have inspired a unique collection of custom-designed statues depicting the Go Red For Women red dress icon. The statues will be unveiled on February 3 at Radio City Music Hall. The celebrities include Bill Cosby, Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Jamie Lee Curtis, Daisy Fuentes, Jane Pauley, Univision TV personality Teresa Rodriguez, designer Carolina Herrera, and TV chefs Rachel Ray and Sara Moulton.

Shop with Heart at ShopGoRed.com. This February, with the launch of the Go Red For Women Online Store, consumers can get important health information as well as shop for fun products that benefit the American Heart Association. The site offers a brand new rhinestone red dress pin as well as hats, bags, scarves and even a men’s tie. The site is the only source of official Go Red For Women merchandise from the American Heart Association.

Shop for a great cause. There are many products “benefiting” the American Heart Association from Day-Timers, Le Mystere lingerie, Perfumania, Brighton, Swarovski Crystal and more. These products, on sale through February and beyond (in some cases), are also linked to at ShopGoRed.com.

The scientific community joins the movement. At a news conference on February 1, the American Heart Association will release new scientific statements on women and heart disease as well as a new study on what physicians and consumers are doing (or not doing) to reduce their risks.

Connecticut goes red. Governor M. Jodi Rell along with town officials across the state have issued proclamations proclaiming February 4 “Wear Red for Women Day”.

Girls want to have fun in Connecticut! All over the state, women will be hosting Go Red for Women pajama parties in their homes, offices, and other gathering places.

Legislative luncheon at State Capitol. Women and men will gather at the State Capitol on Friday, February 4, for a luncheon featuring a program on women’s heart health. Anyone can join Go Red For Women by calling 888-MY-HEART (888-694-3278) or visiting AmericanHeart.org.