Participants are seeking support

for their cause.
By David A. Sargent
Special to the Sun Journal

LEWISTON – The ladies in red are spreading a life-saving message.

A ceremony at the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute Thursday noon launched the American Heart Association’s year-long “Go Red for Women” campaign in this area. Its objective is to encourage women to pay attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing the risk of heart disease.

“Red is a powerful color. It makes a bold statement,” said Dennise Whitley, American Heart Association spokesperson. “We hope the people, both men and women, of the Twin Cities will make their own statement by wearing red and showing support in the fight against heart disease.”

Whitley was joined by Lewiston Mayor Lionel Guay and Auburn Mayor Normand Guay at the kick-off event. The mayors read proclamations issued in their cities and urged wide participation in the “Go Red for Women” campaign.

Whitley said, “It’s our hope that every time women wear red, or every time that those who love them – their husbands, sons, brothers – wear red, everyone will think about what women need to do to protect themselves from heart disease.” Among the preventive measures she suggested are providing smoke-free workplaces and utilizing Maine’s tobacco settlement money for health related efforts.

The mayors and AHA officials were flanked by more than a dozen women representing various departments of Central Maine Medical Center, and all wore articles of bright red attire in support of all women who have been touched by cardiovascular disease.

Whitley and the mayors pointed out that heart disease combined with stroke is the number one killer of Americans. It claims well over one million lives each year. More than 80 percent of adults qualify as being at risk for heart disease and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States and in Maine, they said.

February is designated as American Heart Month and “Go Red for Women” is the latest in a series of events this month aimed at raising awareness of CVD and motivating people to change behaviors that will lead to a healthier life.

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