Allison Janney, Judy Kaye and More Join American Heart Association's Go Red For Women

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by BWW News Desk

The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women is asking America to go RED in celebration of the 10th National Wear Red Day on February 1, 2013. For 10 years, women have been fighting heart disease - the No. 1 killer of women - both individually and together as part of the Go Red For Women movement. To date, more than 627,000 women's lives have been saved, but the fight is far from over. Women need the right information, education and care, in order to treat, prevent, and even end heart disease.

"An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease, yet only one in five women believe heart disease is her greatest health threat," said Dr. Jennifer Mieres, Professor of Cardiology and Senior Vice President of Community and Public Health at North Shore - LIJ Health System. "That's why it's so important to understand your personal risk factors and often-overlooked common symptoms, and to share that information with the women you love."

"I was shocked to learn that heart disease is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined," said Go Red For Women supporter Allison Janney. "My mother's quadruple bypass surgery was an eye-opening experience. I'm now making heart healthy changes to reduce my own risk, and have joined with Go Red For Women to educate other women about what they can do. Together, women have the power to save our own lives."

To mark ten years of the fight against heart disease in women, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women is asking Americans to raise awareness about heart disease and Go Red in new and bold ways - turning every landmark, every Main Street, every organization, social media page and home RED to shine a spotlight on the No. 1 killer of women.

On Thursday, January 31, the eve of the 10(th) National Wear Red Day, Go Red For Womenis hosting a lighting ceremony at Macy's Herald Square in New York City - the first iconic building to turn red. Macy's is a founding national sponsor of Go Red For Women and has raised $40 million to support the cause since 2004.

Star Jones, the American Heart Association's national volunteer, invites New Yorkers to kick off National Wear Red Day at Macy's with some of Broadway's hottest talents includingJudy Kaye from Nice Work If You Can Get It and performances from Motown's Valisia LeKae andthe cast of STOMP!

Local Go Red For Women events will be held across the country throughout the month of February, featuring screenings of a new "10 Years of Fighting Heart Disease in Women" video, appearances by local celebrities and heart disease survivors. Learn more about local events by visiting GoRedForWomen.org.