Figured out what you are going to wear tomorrow yet? Good. Because I want you to revise what you had in mind by adding a little red to the mix. That’s right…
Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day and it’s a great opportunity for you to show your support for a very worthy cause: spreading awareness of how heart disease affects women.
From the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a division of the National Institutes for Health (NIH):
National Wear Red Day-February 6, 2009-is a day when Americans nationwide will wear red to show their support for women’s heart disease awareness. This observance promotes the Red Dress symbol and provides an opportunity for everyone to unite in this life-saving awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress Pin.
What is Heart Disease and why is it so dangerous?
Coronary heart disease (aka heart disease) is a disorder of the blood vessels of the heart that can lead to heart attack. A heart attack happens when an artery becomes blocked, preventing oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart. Heart disease is one of several cardiovascular diseases, which are diseases of the heart and blood vessel system. Other cardiovascular diseases include stroke, high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), and rheumatic heart disease.
One reason some women aren’t too concerned about heart disease is that they think it can be “cured” with surgery or medication. This is a myth. Heart disease is a lifelong condition-once you get it, you’ll always have it. True, procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty can help blood and oxygen flow to the heart more easily. But the arteries remain damaged, which means you are more likely to have a heart attack. What’s more, the condition of your blood vessels will steadily worsen unless you make changes in your daily habits. Many women die of complications from heart disease, or become permanently disabled. That’s why it is so vital to take action to prevent and control this disease.
More information is available on cardiovascular diseases in NHLBI’s Diseases and Condtions Index.
As an interactive bit of fun, I thought about a way to showcase how social media can help with spreading awareness. Nothing fancy, just a photo and some information. Here are the details:
Pulse + Signal Presents: Red With Awareness
1) Remember National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 6th (tomorrow!)
2) Put on something red – a Red Dress pin, sweater, scarf, etc.
3) Snap a photo of you with that red item
4) Give one way in which you are going to make an impact on National Wear Red Day. Either hold a card up with text on what you did, write in the comments section or send it in along with your photo. For ideas on how to participate, check here.
5) Send your photo and information to mindofandre AT gmail DOT com
Michelle over at VeggieChic is also doing her part to spread the word, kudos!
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Great informative post. I can’t wait to put my red on tomorrow.
Thanks for the link!
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