For Healthy Hearts—

First Selectman Proclaims ‘Wear Red For Women Day’

Speaking on behalf of First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, Newtown Selectman Joseph Bojnowski read a proclamation in support of women’s cardiovascular health at the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) monthly meeting held Tuesday morning at Kevin’s Community Center in Fairfield Hills.

“We want to take a lead role in helping Newtown women take charge of their health, especially in February, which is American Heart Month,” said Mr Bojnowski.

VNA member Mae Schmidle thanked Mr Bojnowski for the town’s “ongoing fight” to raise awareness about heart health, and urged all Newtown residents to wear red on Friday, February 6, which has been proclaimed “Wear Red For Women Day.”

 

The Proclamation

WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation’s leading cause of death and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death among women; and

WHEREAS, heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more than half a million women each year –– more than the next seven causes of death combined and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer including breast cancer;

WHEREAS, the cause of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the United States is estimated at $352 billion; and

WHEREAS, one in five females in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease, and the 63 percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease; and

WHEREAS, February is designated as American Heart Month and the American Heart Association is launching a new campaign, Go Red For Women, to encourage women to pay attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease; and

WHEREAS, many organizations in Newtown are supporting the Go Red For Women program,

NOW THEREFORE, I, Herbert C. Rosenthal, First Selectman of Newtown, in recognition of the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, do hereby proclaim February 6, 2004 to be Wear Red For Women Day.