Why do we dedicate an issue of Jill to the “Go Red for Women” cause each year?

Because today there are still people that do not know what the No. 1 killer of Amercian women is. It’s not domestic violence and it’s not cancer. Heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 killer of American women, claiming the lives of more than 450,000 American women each year. Over the last 25 years, the death rate for heart disease in men has declined steadily (by more than 17%), while the death rate for women has declined by only 2.5%, resulting in a disparity in heart disease mortality in women compared to men, according to the American Heart Association.

If we save just one woman’s life each year by raising awareness of heart disease and prevention, then it’s worth it.

And how can you as community members help spread the word and raise awareness? The first thing you can do is to get educated by going to www.goredforwomen.org

The next thing you can do is participate in National Wear Red Day, which is always the first Friday in February. This year it will be Feb. 5, so start planning an event for your company to participate in Go Red for Women Day. Here at the Press-Republican many employees participate each year by wearing red and making a donation to the American Heart Association. To get the tools for your company to participate got to the go red site to sign up and get more information.

The Press-Republican will also have Go Red pins available for anyone that would like to make a $5 donation to the American Heart Association, just stop in and ask for the Jill editor, we will have the pins on hand. This year the Heart Association has even revamped the famous red dress pin, as pictured above. So even if you already have one, this year make sure you get the new one!

And last of all, if you haven’t bought a ticket yet, Plattsburgh’s annual Go Red for Women dinner will be held on Jan. 20. For more information and tickets call: (518) 634-9760 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hopefully we’ll see you there!