Go Red For Women Holds Midlands Area Casting Calls to Find the “Heart of Go Red”
February 6, 2009
Women are asked to share how they are making the choice to live heart healthy
COLUMBIA, SC – February 5, 2009 – For every heart, there is a story – and the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement wants to hear yours. On February 6th and 12th survivors, family members, friends and heart health professionals in the Midlands area are being asked to share their stories. Participants of this National Casting Call have a chance to become the official “Heart of Go Red” and represent the Midlands movement in 2009-2010 and possibly appear in a television special on women and heart disease.
The Importance of Heart Disease Awareness and Personal Risk Assessment
Many American women remain unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer, even though more than 42 million American women are living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease. According to the most recent data, cardiovascular disease caused approximately one death per minute among females. That is why the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement seeks to build awareness of this deadly disease and challenge women to take action to reduce their personal risk.
Alarming heart health statistics include:
- One in three women has some form of cardiovascular disease.
- More South Carolina women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including cancer.
2009 Casting Call Information
There are several ways to share your story.
- Columbia: February 6, 2-4pm at Radiance Medical Spa (109 Barton Creek Court, Northeast Columbia)
- Greenwood: February 12, 11-2pm at Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital
- Stories can also be posted for consideration online at www.goredforwomen.org until February 27, 2009.
How to tell your story—quite simply: Think about your unique heart health story
What is the story of your heart? Was there an event? Is there a family history? Did you make a CHOICE to change your lifestyle? What do you wish someone had shared with you? Lessons learned? Challenges moving forward? Why is it important for you to be at the heart of the Go Red movement? Let them hear your courage, your humor, your challenges and triumphs.
National Wear Red Day – Feb. 6!
In addition to the casting call, there are countless opportunities for women to show support for the Go Red For Women movement. Feb. 6, 2009 is National Wear Red Day. On this day, the American Heart Association encourages women to wear red – whether it is a red dress, a red t-shirt, a red dress pin or red lipstick – to show the world they passionately support Go Red For Women, the movement to improve women’s heart health and save lives.
Learn more about the search for the Heart Of Go Red at www.GoRedForWomen.org.
About Go Red For Women
Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease — the No. 1 killer of women. We want millions of women across America to take heart disease personally. Using the platform “Love Your Heart,” Go Red For Women engages women and the men who love them to embrace the cause. Healthcare providers, celebrities and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit www.GoRedForWomen.org. The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck & Co., Inc.
About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim nearly 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2007–08 the association invested more than $559 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit www.americanheart.org.
