Go red on Friday 13 June to support Heart Foundation ‘Go Red for Women Day’

The Heart Foundation will be turning black Friday red on 13 June 2008 with special Go Red for Women events across Australia.

Heart disease is the number one killer of Australian women – a fact that will surprise many Australians. In 2006, 10,797 women died from heart disease – this equates to about 30 Australian women each day!

Women are also four times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer. 1

The Heart Foundation Go Red for Women campaign aims to alert women about their risk of heart disease and inform them about the actions they can take to improve their heart health.

According to the Heart Foundation, many Australian women are still unaware that heart disease can become a reality for them. “It is still widely believed that heart disease is typically an old man’s disease. In fact, only 3 per cent of Australians are aware that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women²,” said Heart Foundation Chief Executive Officer – National Dr Lyn Roberts.

“Women are often too busy thinking about the health of their partners or family that they neglect their own. The Heart Foundation Go Red for Women campaign will help women understand their risks of heart disease so that they can take the appropriate action and help us raise vital funds for this health issue.”

As a charity, the Heart Foundation is urging Australians to support the Go Red for Women campaign by either attending a local event, holding their own event to raise money or support one of the corporate partners carrying the Heart Foundation Go Red for Women logo on their products.

To attend a Heart Foundation Go Red for Women event near you or for details on how to hold your own, call 1300 55 02 82 or visit www.heartfoundation.org.au/goredforwomen

References:
1. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Causes of Death 2006 (3317.055.002). March 2008.
2. Pfizer Australia Health Report. Healthy Hearts. Issue 13, March 2005.

AAP