Going red raises profile of women's heart disease

By DANNA SUE WALKER World Staff Writer

Just wear red.

During a kickoff for the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" campaign at Jackie Cooper Imports, co-chairwoman Becky Frank noted, "Research shows that women who 'Go Red' are more likely to make healthy choices."

Example:

* More than 40 percent have lost weight.
* More than half have increased their exercise.
* Six out of 10 have changed their diets.
* 53 percent have checked their cholesterol levels.
* One third have investigated their family's history of heart disease or talked to their doctors about their personal heart risks.

Frank is one of three campaign chairwomen. The others are her mother, Betty Hargis, and Frank's daughter, Annie Ferris. Three is evidently the charm when it comes to raising awareness for heart disease.

"At 30, 50 and 80 years old, we represent various generations," Frank told the crowd gathered at the dealership. "We hope as a trio we can communicate how heart disease and stroke impact so many lives."

According to the American Heart Association, more than 41 million American women live with one or more types of cardiovascular disease, yet only one in five view heart disease as her greatest health threat. Furthermore, one in three women have cardiovascular disease, and every minute one woman dies as a result of this health threat. That is why "Go Red For Women," powered by the American Heart Association's research, is educating
and connecting millions of women of all ages in an effort to beat women's No. 1 killer.

The American Heart Association celebrates February as National Heart Month and recently millions of men, women and children across America and in Tulsa united in support of the Go Red For Women movement to take a stand against heart disease on "Wear Red Day."

Among those at the kickoff were AHA Leadership Advisory Committee Member Sharon King Davis; Barbara Bird; Billie Barnett; Pat Chernicky; Ann LaGere; Jana Boyd; Pat Medaris, there with her daughter and event organizer Tracey Norvell; Karen Larsen; Carly Rush; Kim Scrivner; Ann Weatherly; Karen Wicker; and Stacey Roggendorff, who represented the Tulsa World.

Welcoming guests were Jackie Cooper Imports Managing Partner Greg Kach, General Sales Manager Steve Lujan and Mercedes-Benz Sales Manager Greg Benedek.

Tulsa Goes Red Sponsor is St. Francis Health System. Go Red Platinum sponsors are Jackie Cooper Imports, Williams and Senior Star Living. Media sponsors are Tulsa World, KJRH and KBEZ. The movement is sponsored nationally by Macy's and Merck & Co Inc.

For more information about Go Red For Women, please call (888) 694-3278 or visit tulsaworld.com/gored.