Kansas City “Goes Red” in the Fight Against Women’s No. 1 Killer – Heart Disease

Local students design fashionable red dresses for cause

For Immediate Release
February 1, 2010

CONTACTS:
Ciara O’Brien Murray, Communications Director
American Heart Association
(913) 652-1966 or (563) 599-9557
Ciara.Murray@heart.org

(KANSAS CITY) Feb. 1, 2010— Kansas Citians will be “seeing red” in the skyline this year in support of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement and American Heart Month, annually recognized in February. Buildings & centers such as Union Station, The Power and Light District, Marriott Downtown, City Market, Overland Park Convention Center, Briarcliff Village, Sunlighten and many more are “Going Red” to raise awareness in the fight against heart disease which affects one in three women.

Too many women die each year because they are unaware that heart disease is their No. 1 killer. Almost one woman dies every minute of this largely preventable disease. More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer. While 1 in 30 American women die of breast cancer, about 1 in 3 die from cardiovascular disease. That’s why the Kansas City community is trying to educate women by “Going Red.”

Each building and company “Goes Red” in its own way. Some light up their building red in front of high traffic areas like the Overland Park Convention Center, others put red ribbons and banners all over pedestrian walking paths such as The Legends at Village West.

The Kansas City Marriott has a big red dress on the front of their hotel. “Being a woman I recognize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer and I have been made aware of that through the local Go Red For Women movement,” said Carol Pecoraro, general manager of KC Marriott Downtown. “The red dress that people are seeing across the front of our building is just a reminder for everyone in the community how important this cause is.”

Park Place in Leawood has “Gone Red” in their own style with Go Red For Women banners, and red lights. In addition, Park Place retailers are decorated with fashionable mini red dresses by local Broadmoor Technical Center students in the spirit of what “Go Red” means to them.

“The Go Red For Women movement promotes heart-healthy lifestyle changes that we believe any woman can make and we’re excited to raise awareness and encourage women to speak up about this silent killer,” said Rebecca Gary with Park Place. “Park Place supports the Go Red For Women movement not only by lighting red this February, but by engaging the community - bringing local schools together to decorate red dresses and generate extra awareness.”

Kansas City buildings “Going Red” join the ranks of Niagara Falls, the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower, the Seattle Space Needle, Times Square and many more across the country who are also “Going Red” during this February’s American Heart Month.

To kick-off February’s American Heart Month and to support the Kansas City buildings that are “Going Red” this year, Wilks Broadcasting stations (including Star102, Mix93, KFKF and Q104) along with the Power & Light District are hosting a happy hour kick-off event at Tengo Sed Cantina, Monday, February 1 from 5 – 7 p.m. The restaurant located at 1323 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO is opening specially for for this kick-off event and will provide half-price appetizers and drinks along with $1.25 red tacos. The public and any Go Red For Women supporters are invited to attend.

A full listing of Kansas City buildings “Going Red” this February is provided below.

For photo opportunities or more information about Kansas City buildings “Going Red” or the local student’s red dress project, contact Ciara O’Brien Murray, communications director at (913) 652-1966, (563) 599-9557 or Ciara.Murray@heart.org.

Go Red For Women is locally sponsored by HCA Midwest Health System and M&I Bank and nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck.
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2010 Kansas City Buildings Going Red
Union Station
Marriott Downtown
Power & Light District
Overland Park Convention Center
Hines Building (Shook Hardy & Bacon Building)
HCA Midwest Hospitals
City Market
M&I Banks
Sunlighten
Briarcliff Village
The Legends at Village West
ONE NINETEEN
Park Place
Wilks Broadcasting Building
Plato’s Closet
Polished Edge
Jazzercise
Title Boxing Club

Thursday, February 04, 2010