A river of red dresses took over the spaces of the Jazz at Lincoln Center last night, where the “Go Red for Women” event was held once again, organized each year by the American Heart Association (AHA). to raise awareness about heart problems among women during American Heart Month.
In its 20th edition and under the motto “Who is your Hero”, more than a dozen prominent celebrities in music, entertainment and philanthropy modeled red suits created by renowned designers, with the purpose of commemorating the stories of brave women who have been directly affected by heart disease. Celebrities such as Mira Sorvino, Brianne Howey, Heather Dubrow, Samira Wiley, Richa Moorjani, and Latinas Ana Navarro and Francia Raísa, among others, were part of the night dedicated to raising awareness about the need to invest more in female heart health.
“I love seeing all these people dressed in red supporting the importance of knowing what it means to save a life. We are here to raise awareness in the world about heart diseases, so that more people know how to identify the symptoms and signs of when something is not right, and that they can save a life, a heart,” said the host of the night, the actress and comedian Sherri Shepherd.
Heart disease is the number one cause of death among women, and on average, Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than other races.
This year’s concert featured award-winning musician, actress, advocate and New York Times best-selling author Demi Lovato, who sang several of her greatest hits and filled the auditorium with energy and rock. Likewise, singer Mickey Guyton, who is the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Grammy for ‘Best Solo Performance’, completed the musical table.
“I see how some in the audience are dancing, movement is good because it keeps the rhythm of our hearts, which keeps us alive,” Lovato said.
The event was also attended by the executive director of the American Heart Association, Nancy Brown, who arrived accompanied by Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills football player who, at only 25 years old, collapsed due to cardiac arrest in the field of play in the middle of a game, on January 2, 2023, and is now using his platform to raise awareness about the need to perform CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED).
“Being a heart disease activist was something I never thought about. But since last year I realized that these people educate, save lives and raise awareness about this problem that affects so many,” Hamlin said.
This year, the event marked the beginning of both American Heart Monthcommemorated every February, as the celebration of the centenary of the American Heart Associationwhich marks 100 years of service saving and improving lives.
Data from the American Heart Association (AHA):
- Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women.
- Significant disparities persist for women, especially those of color, in access to quality care, representation in investigations, and bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- A woman is less likely to receive bystander CPR than a man, and men are 23% more likely to survive sudden cardiac arrest than women. Become a lifeguard by learning Hands-Only CPR.
Dress in Red
Wear red on National Wear Red Day, this Friday, February 2, and spread the word about the unique heart health challenges women face on social media all month long, using #WearRedDay, #WearRedAndGive, #HeartMonth and # GoRedforWomen.
Visit WearRedDay.org to learn more and download tools and resources to “wear red” today. The iconic Red Dress pin and other apparel are available at ShopHeart.org.