Wear red to bring awareness to heart disease among women
Raleigh, February 5, 2014 – Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in North Carolina, taking the life of 1 in 3 women each year. This means women- mothers, sisters, friends – are dying at the rate of one per minute from cardiovascular disease.
The American Heart Association encourages everyone to join their mission to fight heart disease in women by wearing red this National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 7, 2014. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the icon day and the Go Red For Women movement.
Triangle area businesses, hospitals, schools, individuals and even the Sir Walter Raleigh statue in downtown Raleigh will “Go Red” February 7, and throughout the month of February to help raise crucial awareness and significant funds in the fight against heart disease in women.
Show your support on National Wear Red Day or any day throughout the year by simply wearing red, organize an event at your workplace, school or local organization or make a donation. Funds raised by the Triangle Go Red For Women movement support female-focused heart disease research.
Visit GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay to access free downloadable resources to create your own Wear Red Day activities or build a fundraising page.
The association will also host a free heart health screening with partner BlueCross Blue Shield of North Carolina at Crabtree Valley Mall from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 8.
WakeMed Health and Hospitals will provide free health screenings such as blood pressure, BMI and diabetes counseling. Participants can join a Zumba-thon, enjoy healthy snack samples and kid’s activities, share their survival story, and learn more about CPR, heart disease prevention and more. Women who join the Go Red For Women movement to receive monthly heart disease prevention tips from the American Heart Association.
Additional activities taking place across the Triangle include:
- Macy’s at Crabtree Valley Mall VIP Go Red For Women Shopping Event, Thursday, Feb. 6, 6 – 8 pm
- North Carolina State University Goes Red – Friday, Feb. 7
- Free Expression Tunnel Painting – Thursday evening, Feb. 6
- Brickyard, 10 am – 2 pm – Mrs. Wuf will help pass out red apples with the go red message and visit the display of facts about heart disease and State Goes Red for Women
- Campus Rec Building Lobby, 11 am – 1 pm – Student health will help students, faculty and staff learn about their heart health numbers such as BMI, weight and blood pressure.
- Go Red prize patrol will give out prizes for those that wear red and go to the gym and give out red citations with heart disease awareness information sporadically for students that are not wearing red. Citations give a percentage off on (red) clothing from the student book store.
- NC Council of Women Go Red Fashion Show and Health Fair, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Department of Public Instruction building
- Buildings and homes across the Triangle decorated with red dresses or lit in red (for a full list, contact the AHA at sloan.garner@heart.org)
Learn how you can help fight heart disease in women at GoRedForWomen.org or by contacting the Triangle American Heart Association office at 919-463-8388 or visit www.trianglegoesred.org or www.facebook.com/TriangleAHA.
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