WNBA To team up with the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign
Published on August 8, 2007 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK, August 8, 2007 - The WNBA is teaming up with the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women campaign in an effort to make women more aware of their risk for heart disease and to learn how they can take action to reduce that risk. One in three women has some form of cardiovascular disease and heart disease is the number one cause of death among women in the United States. Under the partnership, WNBA teams and players will encourage fans to take the Go Red Heart CheckUp at GoRedForWomen.org to calculate their personal, 10-year risk for heart disease and find information about controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and weight.
WNBA teams, including the Chicago Sky, Detroit Shock, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics, will host in-arena nights throughout August to educate fans about the risks of cardiovascular diseases. Teams will recognize local heart disease survivors, conduct auctions to benefit the American Heart Association, and invite nutritionists to speak on maintaining heart health, among other activities. In addition, players in select markets will publicly take the Go Red Heart CheckUp to inspire fans to do the same.
"The WNBA, its teams and players reach millions of women both on television and in-arena, and we are all committed to encouraging them to lead healthy and fit lifestyles," said Kathy Behrens, Senior Vice President of NBA and WNBA Community and Player Programs. "Given the number of women affected by cardiovascular diseases, we are proud to partner with Go Red and offer women the information they need to reduce their risk."
"We are so proud of the commitment of the WNBA, its teams and the players, to help us fight heart disease by supporting the Go Red For Women movement," said Gary Ellis, chairman of the board of the American Heart Association. "The WNBA players have such a unique opportunity to serve as role models and impress upon millions of women the importance of heart health." About WNBA Cares
Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on promoting a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, breast and heart health awareness, youth and family development, and education.
About Go Red For Women
Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe out heart disease - the No. 1 killer of women. Today, we want millions of women across America to take heart disease personally. Using the simple platform "Love Your Heart," Go Red For Women engages these women - and the men who love them - to embrace the cause. Healthcare providers, celebrities, and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit GoRedForWomen.org. The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy's.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from August 8, 2007
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