#Go Red, Wear Red
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
Our nation was engulfed in a sea of red on Friday, February 3, 2017. By now, you may be wondering the reason for so much red. There is tremendous meaning in this day which overflows into the entire month of February. Every year on the first Friday in February, women unite and spread the word that we should all wear red as part of “Go RED For Women” , celebrated annually to disseminate awareness to our country and campaign to raise much needed funding as a means of preventive care and providing education towards learning more about one of the leading causes of death of one in three women, heart disease and strokes.
National Wear Red Day, which has garnered a large amount of attention over the last 15 years, gets to the root of the cause in a widely significant manner. Back in 2003, statistics revealed that heart disease claims nearly 500,000 American women’s lives every year! Great accomplishments have come from this wealth of knowledge in a short amount of time which gives so many women hope for a much brighter future. These
priority measures include:
- Nearly 90% of women have made at least one healthy behavior change.
- More than one-third of women has lost weight.
- More than 50% of women have increased their exercise.
- 6 out of 10 women have changed their diets.
- More than 40% of women have checked their cholesterol levels.
- One third of women has talked with their doctors about developing heart health plans.
- Today, nearly 300 fewer women die from heart disease and stroke each day.
- Death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10 years.
With the upcoming New York Fashion Week beginning on February 9, 2017, a large
crowd congregates in the city of style, making it even more beneficial to spread the
word through the power of fashion. As the curtain rises on New York Fashion Week,
some of the nation’s loveliest ladies will take to the runway as part of Macy’s ‘Red Dress
Collection 2017’ taking place on Thursday, February 9th.
Macy’s continues to do their part year after year by not only bringing awareness to heart
disease, but, by also sponsoring the day and donating to this worthy cause. Since 2004,
the giant fashion retailer has contributed over $60 million and from February 1st through
February 6th this year, every time a customer purchased the ‘Red Dress Pin’ in one of
their stores, $3 was donated automatically to ‘Go RED For Women.’ Macy’s is
extending their invitation to each and every woman to watch their fashion show LIVE on
Facebook at 8:00 p.m. on February 9, 2017 at facebook.com/goredforwomen.
As you make the decision to take part in this very positively fueled initiative, make sure
that you are becoming familiar with the disease and understand your risks. There are
a few simple steps that you can take as part of preventative measures. First,
know your numbers when it comes to blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and
Body Mass Index. Just one visit, for a brief amount of time, might save your life and
provide the most advantageous information that you will ever receive. Make good use of
your schedule, setting up an appointment for a yearly well-woman visit on a consistent.
basis, Learn what your chances are for heart disease and stroke based on your family’s
genetics and find out what factors would increase the risk for you contracting the
disease. Once you are comfortable that you have taken all the necessary precautions
and are continuing to do so as part of your regular routine, begin to educate friends and
family and encourage them to take similar steps as well.
Make your mark by giving support in an infinite measure of ways. If you are an avid
Macy’s shopper, you just can’t turn down one of the easiest ways. Every year at holiday
time, Macy’s invites shoppers to enroll in ‘Thanks For Sharing’, a program that is a win
win situation for every shopper and for Macy’s and the Go Red Organization as well.
Find out how you can join the study for Heart Disease Research. Help others as you
help yourself. There are an extensive amount of ‘Go Red For Women’ events taking
place right outside your door so see what you can do to participate. If you are a
CEO or business owner, look into sponsoring on a corporate level just as CVS and
Macy’s have.
Lastly, eat healthy as much as you can and make exercise part of your regular routine.
You just can’t go wrong with a plan in place and the determination and drive in your very
own “heart!”
Spread the word on Twitter @ #GOREDFORWOMEN and get more information at
www.goredforwomen.org/red-dress-collection-2017/
