Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Town Councilwoman Laura Maier invite Town employees and residents across Long Island to wear red on Friday, February 3rd in recognition of the American Heart Association’s (AHA) National Wear Red Day. This initiative helps raise awareness in the fight against our nation’s number one killer of women, cardiovascular disease. As part of National Wear Red Day, Supervisor Saladino and the Town Board will illuminate Town Hall North in red.
Supervisor Saladino stated, “February is American Heart Month, and as such, the Town Board and I are proud to help unify the Town for National Wear Red Day to come together and unleash a wave of red from the Atlantic Ocean to the Long Island Sound! Cardiovascular disease continues to be a significant threat to women’s health, as nearly 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented through awareness and early detection, and heart disease is the number one killer of women age 25 and older. As a nation, we must make every effort to reverse these statistics by supporting research and education initiatives.”
Go Red for Women was created in 2004 after statistics showed that nearly 500,000 American women were being killed each year by cardiovascular disease. The AHA’s Go Red for Women campaign urges women to take charge of their health. In 2014, the American Heart Association launched their new “Life is Why” campaign to create a more personal and emotional connection with consumers to ask themselves why we do what we do, or more specifically why we should choose to live healthier lifestyles. Town employees are encouraged to wear red on February 3rd.
Councilwoman Maier stated, “Established by six cardiologists in 1924, the AHA has spent billions on research to increase our knowledge about cardiovascular diseases and stroke and has funded life-saving educational programs and tools for physicians. Heart disease is the number one killer worldwide, and strokes rank second globally, and it is vital that we raise awareness about their potential lethality, especially in women. I am proud to help lead the National Wear Red Day initiative here in the Town and I encourage all of our employees to wear red on Friday, February 3rd.”
Additional information about National Wear Red Day and Go Red for Women is available by calling 1-888-MY-HEART or visiting www.GoRedForWomen.org