Too few people realize that cardiovascular disease with heart disease being the main component is the number one killer of women, more than all forms of cancer and the next five leading causes of death combined. But the good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented. For that reason, Go Red For Women is evolving its campaign into a spirited movement encouraging women to improve their heart health while taking action to fight women's heart disease.

Go Red For Women debuted in February 2004 with a goal to raise awareness of the risks associated with heart disease. With one in three adult women in the United States suffering from a form of cardiovascular disease, Go Red For Women recognizes the urgency of women's heart disease. As a result, Go Red is shifting its primary focus from awareness to action.

"We can no longer ignore heart disease," said Karen Murray, group president Claiborne Menswear and Special Markets Brands, chair of the American Heart Association's Women and Heart Disease Advisory Group. "While awareness is important, it's time for women to take action now -- to love and protect their hearts while maintaining healthier lifestyles. To that end, Go Red encourages women to not only join the movement but also take simple, everyday steps to protect their hearts."

Go Red For Women is channeling its energies and resources to connect with real women and share with them the tools and information they need to protect themselves and their loved ones. Specifically, Go Red For Women urges women to love their hearts, perform the Love Your Heart gesture, and Go Red in their own fashion.

-- Love Your Heart. By loving your own heart, you can save it. When women learn to love their hearts, they can appreciate their health, their life and their loved ones. If women make a promise to be heart-healthy, together we can wipe out heart disease.

-- Love Your Heart Gesture. The Love Your Heart Gesture is about taking a moment for yourself and your life each day. It is an opportunity for women to connect with their hearts and realize the importance of taking care of it. Women can do this by simply placing their hand over their heart, taking a deep breath and considering ways to love, honor and appreciate this vital organ every day.

-- Go Red in Your Own Fashion. Going red in your own fashion is about finding your personal way to take part in the fight against heart disease in women. Whether it's visiting your healthcare provider, eating a healthier diet, increasing your exercise, purchasing products that support the cause, or wearing red on National Wear Red Day - the first Friday of every February - you can take action to love your heart.

To stimulate heart disease awareness and help women live heart healthy lifestyles, Go Red For Women is organizing exciting 2006 programs and initiatives. It's easier than ever for women to Go Red - in their own fashion by participating in a variety of activities.

-- National Wear Red Day. National Wear Day is Friday, February 3, 2006.

Millions of Americans will be wearing red to show their support for women and the fight against heart disease. In an effort to generate awareness and provide fundraising opportunities, 10,000 companies over the past two years, have participated in Wear Red Day events by donating $5 to wear red and jeans to work. Additionally, cities across the country will go red by illuminating monuments, landmarks and major buildings in red.

-- Cause Related Products. Go Red For Women products are available online at ShopGoRed. These products help women show their support for the cause and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Go Red movement. The following is a list of our cause marketing sponsors.

- Brighton Collectibles
- Day-Timers, Inc.
- Hamilton Beach
- Kellogg's
- KeyBank
- Le Mystere
- Macy's - Ocean Spray
- Perfumania
- Swarovski
- Rite Aid
- Yankee Candle Company

-- Go Red For Women Luncheons. Go Red Luncheons are coordinated in various communities across the country. The luncheons feature activities and topics aimed to educate women about cardiovascular disease, risk factors, and heart-healthy lifestyles. Go Red For Women Luncheons also feature local guest speakers and medical experts.

The Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Pfizer with additional support from Bayer and PacifiCare.

For more information about Go Red For Women or how you can join the movement, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit goredforwomen.

About Go Red For Women

Go Red For Women captures the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease - the No. 1 killer of women. Since 2004, the American Heart Association has fostered Go Red to grow from a grassroots campaign into a vibrant national movement. Using the simple moniker "Love Your Heart," Go Red For Women aims to mobilize women, men, celebrities, healthcare providers and politicians to embrace and elevate the cause of women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit goredforwomen.

American Heart Association
goredforwomen