Despite the high visibility of women’s cancers in cause marketing, heart disease is the number one killer of women over 55. It’s one of those health issues that seems to fly under the radar until a high-profile case enters our consciousness.
That was what happened during the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games, when Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette lost her mother to heart disease just two days before she was scheduled to compete. Joannie went on anyway, in honour of her mother, and earned a Bronze Medal as well as achieving a personal best.
Joannie continues to campaign for women’s heart health, and from last week her “iheartmom.ca” campaign to raise awareness and funds is online.
The call-to-action of the campaign is to visit the “iheartmom.ca” site where you can either donate or raise funds via Facebook.
Some facts on heart disease in women:
• Heart disease is the #1 killer of women aged 55 or older
• Women of all ages represent 50% of heart disease deaths in Canada
• In 2005, more than 25,000 Canadian women died from heart disease
• More than one-third of women aged 45 and over have high blood pressure
• Heart disease risk in women increases with age and the onset of menopause
• Heart attack is not uncommon in women in their 30s
• Women’s heart attack symptoms can include unusual fatigue, trouble sleeping, indigestion and anxiety up to one month before a heart attack
Agency: Acart Communications
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Crosspost from Marc van Gurp and Tom Megginson from Osocio which examines the world of advertising in the social change/non-profit landscape.
