Go Red for Women mobilizes women to join cause, fight heart disease

First Lady Jean Rounds Encourages Women to Take Charge of Their Heart Health

PIERRE, S.D. - 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.

“Last year, we discovered an alarming fact — that women still don’t know heart disease is their most serious risk,” said South Dakota First Lady and Go Red for Women Spokesperson Jean Rounds. “Go Red for Women is beginning to change that.”

Go Red for Women began in February 2004 to raise awareness that heart disease is a woman’s No. 1 health risk.  The grassroots campaign has since grown into a vibrant national movement as more women, men, celebrities, healthcare 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.

            Sponsored proudly 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:

Y     National Wear Red Day.  A national observance created by the American Heart Association, on Feb. 4, thousands of people, including employees at more than 3,000 companies, national and local news anchors and talk-show hosts will wear red 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. 

Y     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.

Y     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.  You can get the pins by calling 1-888-MY-HEART.

Y     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.

Y     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.

Y     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.  

Y     The scientific community joins the movement. At a news conference on Feb. 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.   

Anyone can join Go Red for Women by calling 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visiting americanheart.org.