A Decade of Red

In closing out Heart Awareness Month and the 10^th Anniversary of Go Red for Women, I felt it important to highlight the accomplishments of Go Red for Women over the last 9 years. This work continues well beyond February as we focus on raising awareness to help save the lives of more women each day. Thank you for your support, not only this month but each day as I fight my own battle with heart disease. I Go Red for all of us each and every day. 

Thanks to Go Red for Women … more than 23 million Go Red For Women® “Red Dress” pins have been distributed to raise awareness and over 1.5 million women have joined the life-changing movement, including more than 10,000 women in St. Louis. 

… nearly 90 percent of women who have joined the life-changing Go Red for Women movement are living healthier.  They have made one or more healthy behavior changes, often with their diet or activity level. 

           Thanks to Go Red for Women … $260 million has been raised since the launch of Go Red for Women, helping to fund education, conferences, programs and promising research benefiting women.

…women now account for 24 percent of the cardiovascular studies and research completed. 

           Thanks to Go Red for Women … recognition among women that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women has jumped from 30 percent in 1997 to nearly 60 percent today. Over 41 million women are now aware that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women, up from 24 million in 2000.

… 627,000 women have been saved from heart disease and stroke during the first nine years of Go Red for Women.

… 34 percent fewer women are dying of heart disease each year. That means 330 fewer women are dying every day, compared to before the launch of Go Red for Women.

… female cardiovascular disease deaths have decreased by over 85,000 in the last 9 years. 

That means more than 85,000 mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, friends, and coworkers are surviving each year that were not surviving before the launch of Go Red for Women.

I am one of those women. I live each day grateful for the opportunity to make memories with my family and friends. 

Photo Credits: American Heart Association, Go Red for Women