The American Heart Association believes losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many
UTICA, NEW YORK, January 29, 2022 — The American Heart Association, the leading global volunteer organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, is rallying women in the Mohawk Valley to “Reclaim Your Rhythm” on Friday, February 4 as a part of the Association’s Go Red for Women® National Wear Red Day®.
This February, Go Red for Women is helping women reclaim their rhythm by promoting easy opportunities for women to build healthy habits that work best for their life, giving them the best chance at life. On Friday, February 4, crank up the tunes, get on your groove on and wear red to raise awareness about the prevalence of heart disease in women and donate to save women’s lives.
This Friday, the American Heart Association will introduce the Mohawk Valley Women of Impact, who will spend the next eight weeks raising awareness about women and heart disease, and raising money to help the Go Red for Women campaign change the statistic that heart disease is a woman’s No. 1 health threat. A Zoom invitation will follow.
Across the Mohawk Valley, businesses will also illuminate their buildings red to literally shine a light on heart disease in women. “The Mohawk Valley Glows Red” initiative is always spearheaded by Townsquare Media.
“Townsquare Media is honored to be able to collaborate with the American Heart Association and participate in National Wear Red Day,” said Kaylin Broadwell, Brand Manager, Lite 98.7 WLZW. “We have a lot of women on our team, and a lot of women that we partner with and speak to daily through the power of our radio signals and our digital platforms in the community. By encouraging all to wear (and glow) red, it allows us to have these necessary conversations about women’s heart health and how important it is to live a lifestyle that aims at preventing heart disease.”
February is American Heart Month, and the American Heart Association is launching the Check It! Challenge on Feb. 1. The Check It! Challenge is a free blood pressure monitoring program that is taking place statewide between February and May. Participants can join in at any time. There will be Community Conversations to provide information about blood pressure, and participants commit to checking their blood pressure twice a month. To register, visit www.heart.org/checkitchallenge. The Check It! Challenge Web site is www.heart.org/Checkitny. High blood pressure is known as “the silent killer” and is a leading risk factor for heart disease.
The Check It! Challenge is sponsored by SEFCU, CVS, Kinney Drugs, Hillrom and Tompkins Mahopac Bank.
According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released in December 2021[1], heart disease remains the greatest health threat for women. Experts say the effects of COVID-19 are likely to influence cardiovascular health and mortality rates for many years[2], directly and indirectly, physically, and emotionally. This is why the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women® movement, nationally sponsored by CVS Health, alongside National Wear Red Day Matching Sponsor Big Lots, is asking women to make moves today to have healthier tomorrows.
Through the Go Red for Women movement, the American Heart Association encourages people to take action in February by:
- Wearing red on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 4, 2022, to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. The iconic Red Dress pin and other apparel are available at ShopHeart.org.
- Making a donation to support the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association at WearRedDay.org. Big Lots and the Big Lots Foundation will match online donations on National Wear Red Day, up to $333,333.
- Visiting CVS Health and making a donation at the register. Donations can also be made online at www.CVSHealth.com/GoRed.
- Join Research Goes Red , a joint collaboration between the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women and Verily’s Project Baseline to engage more women directly to participate in research.
- Joining the conversation by using #WearRedDay, #HeartMonth, #GoRedforWomen and @MVGoesRed on social media.
Learn more at GoRedforWomen.org.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800- AHA-USA1.
About Go Red for Women
The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For 18 years, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).
For Media Inquiries:
Katherine McCarthy, 518.366.7920 or Katherine.McCarthy@heart.org
