Across the nation and locally, people are wearing red annually on the first Friday of February, National Wear Red Day®, to show support and to bring attention to the staggering statistics of heart disease in women – that 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke.  It’s not just a man’s disease.

These statistics can be changed because 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes, taking action to live longer, healthier lives.  When it comes to beating heart disease and stroke, change can be the cure. To save lives and raise awareness of this serious issue, the American Heart Association launched Go Red For Women. And the red dress has become the iconic symbol of the organization’s battle against heart disease and stroke in women.

The first National Wear Red Day in 2003, tremendous strides have been made in the fight against heart disease and stroke in women. Through research and education to healthy lifestyle changes:

• Nearly 90% have made at least one healthy behavior change.
• More than one-third has lost weight.
• More than 50% have increased their exercise.
• 6 out of 10 have changed their diets.
• More than 40% have checked their cholesterol levels.
• One third 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.

Yet, with all these successes, 1 in 3 women die of heart disease and stroke each year. But what’s more powerful?, millions of mothers, sisters, daughters and friends making a change.

More than ever, financial contributions help save women’s lives. Funds raised by Go Red support educational programs to increase women’s awareness about their risk for heart disease and stroke as well as critical research to discover scientific knowledge about cardiovascular health.

A special local fundraising event, the Heart Gala Dinner by Brown County American Heart Association, will be held from 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM March 14, 2015 at the Brownwood Country Club.  The event is for this year has a “Western Chic” theme.  Doors open at 6:30 PM and dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.  There will be live and silent auctions, and live DJ music.  Individual tickets are $50 each and include a glass of wine or beer.  Table sponsorships are available.  For more information, please email meldinamitchell@earlyisd.net.

Pictured above:  Health and Human Services staff members show their support for the “Go Red For Women Day.”   From left to right are HHSC staff members Daisy Mares, Stephanie Peres, Ellen Tucker, Vanessa Raffel, Kimberly Hewitt, Laura Ibarra, Sophie Ramos, Susan Smith, Debbie Barber, and Brad Cloud.