New Orleans Go Red For Women Luncheon promotes heart health Local survivors and business leaders show attendees how to go RED in their own fashion

The American Heart Association hosts its annual Go Red for Women Luncheon sponsored by Paris Parker Salons & Spas in New Orleans on February 5 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside beginning at 9 a.m. The luncheon is part of the Go Red For Women movement that encourages local women to take charge of their heart health by making it a top priority so they can live stronger, longer lives.

Guests will enjoy free health screenings, educational seminars and a silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Seminars will include topics on nutrition, stress management, and heart failure. At 11:30 a.m., the ticketed heart-healthy luncheon program begins with First Lady of Louisiana, Supriya Jindal, challenging attendees to take control of their health. Then, three other local women affected personally by heart disease will share their inspirational story of survival. Closing out the luncheon program is a fashion show featuring dresses from designer, Ginny Hilfiger. Modeling the dresses will be local heart disease survivors and other prominent New Orleans women.

Heart disease is commonly believed to be a “man’s problem,” and yet, the latest statistics tell another story. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in America today. Stroke is the third leading cause of death for females and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. More than one in five females has some form of cardiovascular disease taking the lives of more than a half-million women every year – more than the next FIVE causes of death combined. More women than men are dying of cardiovascular disease in the New Orleans area and in Louisiana.

The Go Red for Women movement brings attention to the threat of heart disease to women while creating a call to action for all women to commit to living a heart-healthy lifestyle. In Louisiana, the American Heart Association has been a leader in this national campaign helping support an emotional, informative and inspirational atmosphere to encourage women to Go Red luncheon, page 2 of 2 become champions of their own good health. On February 6, National Wear Red Day, the staff at the American Heart Association is asking local women to join thousands across the country to wear red in support of the fight against heart disease in women. On Wear Red Day at Lakeside Shopping Center, free health screenings will be offered to the public in the center court. Lakeside Shopping Center store windows will also be decorated with red merchandise to raise awareness.

Tickets for the New Orleans Go Red For Women luncheon are $100 payable in advance. To purchase tickets and for more information, please call 504-830-2300. To join the Go Red movement and take the Heart CheckUp, visit www.goredforwomen.org or call 1-888- MYHEART.

Go Red For Women is sponsored nationally by Macy’s and Merck and presented locally by Paris Parker Salons & Spas. The New Orleans Go Red For Women Luncheon is also sponsored by Peoples Health, Chevron, West Jefferson Medical Center, Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living and Tidewater, Inc.