Jackson Free Press

Jackson Goes Red: American Heart Association Launches Campaign to Mobilize Women for Heart Disease Awareness. Entergy Mississippi CEO and President Carolyn Shanks Helps Launch Campaign Urging Women to Take Control of Their Heart Health and Join National Wear Red Day for Women on Friday, February 4. Downtown Jackson to "Go Red" to support cause.

JACKSON, MS, January 4, 2005 — The American Heart Association will launch its Go Red For Women campaign in Jackson this February to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, the No.1 killer of women in America.

The initiative, which is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Pfizer, encourages women to take charge of their heart health by making it a top priority so they can live stronger, healthier lives. To build awareness of heart disease, which claims nearly a half million women's lives every year, the American Heart Association and Jackson's Go Red for Women committee will:

* officially launch Go Red For Women on February 4 at the Go Red for Women ladies luncheon at the Old Capitol Inn from 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. The luncheon, whose presenting sponsor is Preferred Hospitals of Metro Jackson, will feature health screenings, a fashion show by Maison Weiss, break-out sessions concerning heart disease and weight management, as well as raffles and door prizes;
* illuminate local downtown buildings and landmarks in red light beginning on the evening of Friday, February 4, and continuing to light up until Monday, February 14 to remind Mississippians about the seriousness of cardiovascular disease and stroke;
and encourage businesses, organizations and schools to Go Red for Women by participating in "National Wear Red Day for Women" (February 4) in support of all women who have been touched by heart disease or stroke.

In cities across the United States, American Heart Association divisions and Pfizer's sales force are distributing red dress pins to remind women to take steps every day to live healthier lives, and to encourage city officials, news personalities, medical personnel, and Americans of every walk of life to participate in "National Wear Red Day for Women" on February 4.

"A bold color like red draws attention to heart disease, which is women's greatest health threat," said Carolyn Shanks, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi and chairman of the Go Red for Women committee. "Red symbolizes a woman's power to take control of her health and is a reminder of the passion we all feel for the women whose lives have been affected."

Through the Go Red For Women campaign, the American Heart Association seeks to improve the women's heart health by providing education and tools about women and heart disease to: the general public—to help women reduce their risk by providing information on healthful eating, exercising, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and controlling diabetes; healthcare professionals—to ensure that women are treated according to the American Heart Association's guidelines; federal, state and local policy makers—to encourage them to support policies to improve women's cardiovascular health; and corporations—to encourage them to participate in the Wear Red Day corporate fundraiser to help fight heart disease.

The American Heart Association also advises learning your family's medical history and visiting your doctor to find out if you are at risk for heart disease or stroke. If a healthy diet and regular exercise aren't enough, ask your doctor about medication and take it as prescribed. Even if women take medication, a healthy diet and exercise are still important.

"Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim more women's lives each year than the next five causes of death combined, and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer, including breast cancer," said Shanks. "We believe Go Red For Women will raise women's awareness of this major health problem."

The campaign's presenting sponsor is Preferred Medical of Metro Jackson. Other local sponsors include Baptist Health Systems, St. Dominic Hospital, Entergy, Bancorp South, Bellsouth, Brunini Grantham Grower & Hughes, Mississippi Health Partners, Wise Carter Child & Caraway, Butler Snow Omara Stevens & Cannada PLLC, Smith Turner & Reeves PA, J&R Restaurant, WLBT, ClearChannel, Lamar Outdoor Advertising and Today's Mississippi Woman magazine.

For more information about Go Red for Women or to register for the luncheon, contact the American Heart Association at 601.321.1200.

For more information about cardiovascular disease and stroke, or to receive the AHA red dress pin, a women and heart disease brochure and wallet card to track your cholesterol, blood pressure and weight, call 1-888-MY-HEART (694 — 3278) or visit http://www.americanheart.org for more information on Go Red For Women, including where to purchase products that benefit the cause, and information on these free American Heart Association lifestyle programs:

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Choose To MoveSM , which gives women practical ways to build more physical activity into their existing routine over 12 weeks.
* Simple Solutions, which helps women incorporate easy, healthy changes into their lives.

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About the American Heart Association

Since 1924 the American Heart Association has helped protect people of all ages and ethnicities from the ravages of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, the nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and other cardiovascular diseases, claim nearly a million American lives a year. The association invested more than $348 million in fiscal year 2002-03 for research, professional and public education, and advocacy so people across America learn what they can do to reduce their risk and live stronger, longer lives.