If you feel like painting the town red Friday, the medical community will be all for it.
Just as pink ribbons symbolize breast-cancer awareness in October, wearing red promotes heart health in February, and Friday is National Wear Red Day.
Sheryl Crow, Amerie and 20 other music artists will kick off Fashion Week in New York modeling red designer outfits for an audience of 1,000. In offices and homes, schools and stores across the country, thousands will wear red to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in women 25 and older. At all stores owned by Macy’s and the May Co., parent company of Foley’s, sales associates are encouraged to wear red.
The spread of red began several years ago when the American Heart, Lung and Blood Institute created the Red Dress campaign and National Wear Red Day.
The American Heart Association joined the parade and now sponsors events as well. The Denver chapter of AHA today announces its lineup for its Go Red for Women luncheon, which is April 27 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel. More than 500 women are expected for health screenings, breakout sessions, a silent auction, guest speaker and heart- healthy lunch. All-inclusive tickets are $100 (303-996-8690).
Park Meadows shopping center in Littleton has several events planned in support of heart awareness. Customers spending $50 or more in the mall will get a Heart Truth pin starting Friday while supplies last at the customer service center.
Four ensembles from the Red Dress Collection will be at Park Meadows Feb. 10-12, displayed in the Aspen court near Foley’s on the lower level. Dresses from Betsey Johnson, Baby Phat, Donna Karan and Narciso Rodriguez will be exhibited. Foley’s will have informal modeling of red clothing noon-3 p.m. Feb. 11 and will be accepting donations for the heart association.
On Feb. 19, Park Meadows and Sky Ridge Medical Center will offer free EKG testing, blood pressure screening and cooking demonstrations.
Some other promotions:
John Atencio, the Denver- based jewelry designer, is donating a portion of sales from any heart pendant purchased at his stores through Feb. 14 to the Colorado chapter of the American Heart Association.
Swarovski will donate $100,000 from the sale of its Power of Love collection of items to the American Heart Association. The pieces are at Swarovski Gallery stores and swarovski.com.
Perfumania stores and perfumania.com are donating the net proceeds from sales of its Red Dress fragrance to the AHA.
Dressbarn is selling red dress pins at two for $2 – one to wear, one to give to a friend – with $1 profit from each sale benefiting the AHA.
Staff writer Suzanne S. Brown can be reached at 303-820-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com.
