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Tulsa World, Okla., Danna Sue Walker Column: 'Wear Red' Day in Tulsa Fights Heart Disease With Style

Posted on: Tuesday, 14 February 2006, 12:00 CST

By Danna Sue Walker, Tulsa World, Okla.

Feb. 14--Valentine's Day is all about hearts, and so is the American Heart Association.

Its goal is healthy hearts.

The association's "Wear Red" is part of Go Red For Women, the AHA's national year-round fundraising and education campaign to increase awareness of heart disease and stroke, and inspire women to take charge of their own heart health.

A recent Wear Red in the City of Tulsa campaign got a huge boost when presenting sponsor Jackie Cooper Nissan hosted an opening ceremony.

Mayor Bill LaFortune was on hand, and throughout the city it seemed almost everyone was in on the wear-red act. Individuals donned crimson, and outdoor sculptures such as Tulsa's Golden Driller, the University of Oklahoma Seed Sower and Tulsa Zoo Penguins wore red to focus attention on cardiovascular disease, the No. 1 killer of women.

"The response to Wear Red has been citywide, and at many businesses -- company wide," said Michelle Wilcox, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women director.

Among the many companies joining Jackie Cooper Imports and media sponsors KJRH, channel 2, Tulsa World and Oklahoma Magazine in participating in Wear Red were American Bank and Trust Co., American Heart Association, Ameri-star Fence Products, Arvest Bank, Bank of Oklahoma, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, BSW International, Citgo Petroleum Corp., Convergys, F&M Bank & Trust Co., Fabricut, FOX 23/UPN 41, Hillcrest Healthcare System, MetLife, Oklahoma Heart Institute, OU-Tulsa, Red Man Pipe & Supply, St. Francis Health System, Senior Star Living, SouthCrest Wellness & Sports Medicine Center, St. John Health System, Vanguard Car Rental USA Inc., West Corp. and Williams Cos. Inc.

Funds raised by Go Red For Women benefit research and education to help reduce the incidence of heart disease in women.

"While it is still true that approximately one woman a minute in this country dies of cardiovascular disease, recent studies show Go Red is having a very positive impact in increasing awareness," said Tim Hensley, Jackie Cooper Nissan general manager, who is himself a survivor of two heart attacks. "Women, as well as men, need to know their cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Sixty-three percent of women who died suddenly of heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease."

Barbie Blue, Tulsa Go Red for Women co-chair, added: "Heart disease and stroke claim more women's lives each year than the next six causes of death combined, and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer. It's vital to be aware, be informed and take action to improve one's cardiovascular health."

Heart disease is also the leading cause of death throughout the world, killing more people than AIDS, malaria, pneumonia or lung cancer.

During February, National Heart Month, learn more about cardiovascular disease and the guidelines to become heart smart. Visit the American Heart Association Web site, www.americanheart.org

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Copyright (c) 2006, Tulsa World, Okla.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Tulsa World

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