Earlier this month, the color red was evident in the San Jose, CA Area as IBEW Local 1245, Unit 1511 members displayed their support of the11th Annual National “Go Red” Day for Women on February 7, 2014.
Cardiovascular disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives than all forms of cancer combined. According to the American Heart Association, heart disease causes one in three women’s deaths each year, killing approximately one woman every minute. An estimated 43 million women in the U.S. are affected by heart disease and 90%of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.
For more than 10 years, the American Heart Association has sponsored a National “Go Red” Day, held on the first Friday in February every year. This year, the members of Unit 1511 in San Jose wanted to get involved and so they did.
The success of this event was demonstrated by the more than 200 + members in red. We were able to raise awareness not only among our fellow union members but within our circle of friends, loved ones and the local community.
This movement has made tremendous strides in advocacy work,r esearch and swifter action for women’s heart health. Since the inception of the movement, more than 627,000 women have been saved from heart disease and 330 fewer women are dying per day. Several other incredible advances that have been made include:
- 21%fewer women dying from heart disease
- 23% more women aware of heart health threats
- Legislation to help end gender disparities
- And more…….
Lynne Powell, a 2 year IBEW 1245 member working in the San Jose Contact Center for PG&E, stated, “Despite the national advancement, a large majority of women are still unaware of the risk and facts about women’s heart health. This is why our members, friends and family need to join this great movement. Now is not the time for complacency, it’s time to stand stronger, educate and speak louder in this fight.”
Visit GoRedForWomen.org to learn more about “Go Red” and join in the fight to end heart disease