
Pictured (l to r): Reps. Terri Lynn Weaver, Dawn White, Johnnie Towns, Courtney Rogers, JoAnne Favors, Gloria Johnson, Sherry Jones, Brenda Gilmore, Speaker Beth Harwell, Barbara Cooper, Susan Lynn, Karen Camper, Raumesh Akbari, Sheila Butt, Mary Littleton, Debra Moody.
This week the nation celebrates Valentine’s Day, so there will be much red in the mix to proclaim ‘love’ with red roses and red heart-shaped boxes filled with chocolates. Last week, however, in support of the American Heart Association’s attempt to make more women aware of heart disease in women during American Heart Month, February, members of the Tennessee General Assembly, LP Field, and many other organizations and individuals donned red in celebration of Wear Red Day (Feb. 7).
Members of the Tennessee General Assembly made being healthy a top priority, despite the cold and flurries outside, love and support for the American Heart Association was in full effect at the Tennessee State Capitol on February 6 in celebration of the Go Red for Women movement. The house members were arrayed in red showing that Tennessee cares about changing this negative epidemic.
State Rep. Brenda Gilmore was the lead sponsor of the resolution, promoting education and awareness of the warning signs of heart disease and stroke, and illustrating how to make healthy lifestyles choices to help prevent heart disease and stroke. Also on hand to observe the celebration were Patty Clements, communications director, Greater Nashville and Bernard Reynolds, government relations director, American Heart and Stroke Association.
The Tennessee Titans are supporting Saint Thomas Health and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. From Feb. 3 through Feb.7 LP Field turned ‘red’ to support women’s hearts.
“Saint Thomas Health is thrilled to have the Tennessee Titans join us in helping bring heart disease to the forefront of women’s health,” said Bernie Sherry, CEO of Saint Thomas West Hospital and Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital.
Heart disease has been called the silent killer because it often has no noticeable symptoms. It’s more deadly than all forms of cancer combined, and is the No. 1 killer of women.
To save lives and raise awareness of this serious issue, the American Heart Association launched Go Red For Women in 2004. This year is the 11th National Wear Red Day.
Heart disease strikes someone in the U.S. every 34 seconds.
Most heart disease and stroke is preventable by Life’s Simple 7: Exercise, healthy nutrition, no smoking, knowing and managing your numbers such as, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar.