Go Red For Women asks people to wear red on Friday

Friday is National Wear Red Day to raise awareness that heart disease is the number one killer of women.

More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer combined. Unfortunately, heart disease is often silent, hidden and misunderstood. That’s why Go Red For Women is asking women to participate in the 9th Annual National Wear Red Day to make ending heart disease a reality.

Emmy-nominated actress Elizabeth Banks, known for her roles on 30 Rock and Scrubs, has teamed up with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement.

On Friday, Banks will join the American Heart Association at the Go Red For Women Red Dress Dash at Macy’s Herald Square in New York City.

“Every woman needs to be reminded that heart disease doesn’t just happen to men or to someone else, it can happen to you,” said Banks. “I’m proud to work with the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement to do whatever I can to help women understand that knowing this truth is the difference between life and death.”

Banks directs and stars in the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women new public service announcement and short film, “Just a Little Heart Attack,” inspired by the real-life stories of women who have been affected by heart disease.

The entertaining, yet poignant film, which can be viewed on Facebook.com/GoRed, provides a powerful wake-up call to women across America to understand their risk for heart disease and empower them to put their health first.

Currently some eight million women in the U.S. are living with heart disease, yet only one in six women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat. In fact, 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

Local Go Red For Women Red Dress Dash and Go Red CONNECT events will be held across the country throughout the month of February. Women who share their stories about heart disease have the chance to become a spokesperson for the cause - representing the American Heart Association in marketing materials, at events, and on GoRedForWomen.org.

Find out more about the national and local events at GoRedForWomen.org.

Go Red For Women is asking women to take action by participating in this year’s National Wear Red Day on Friday. Women can wear red in support of the cause, learn more about their personal risk of heart disease, get involved with local events and register for a free red dress pin at GoRedForWomen.org or Facebook.com/GoRed.

The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck & Co. Inc.

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