Macey Wright received a new heart in 2016 and will be participating in Go Red for Women’s annual initiative to elevate awareness and inspire action.
Wright is proof that heart disease can strike at any age. Born with two congenital heart defects, Wright began her life impacted by heart disease. Although she had heart
valves that didn’t work properly, it didn’t stop her from living life to the fullest and pursuing hobbies like gymnastics. But at age 14, Wright’s heart was beyond repair and she was listed for a heart transplant which she received.
“I am lucky to have benefited from scientific advances and treatments and I want the same opportunities to be available to all women,” shares Wright. I plan to wear red to celebrate my journey, to elevate awareness among women about their largest health threat, and hopefully inspire someone to make a healthy change.”
The American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative, Go Red for Women®, urges everyone across the Puget Sound to join us in advocating for better health and well-being for all women. Here in Washington the community can engage on National Wear Red Day by:
- Wear red and share: add a touch of red to your outfit to raise awareness and inspire action to improve individual health and well-being. Share your support on social media using #WearRedDay, #WearRedAndGive, #GoRedforWomen and #goREDwa.
- Make a donation to the American Heart Association: support the Go Red for Women movement through a Wear Red and Give donation at WearRedDay.org.
- Join Research Goes Red: ensure women are represented in cardiovascular research through participation in Research Goes Red, an initiative to engage women in contributing to health research.
- Support the Go Red for Women movement in stores:
- The Big Lots Foundation matches donations (up to $500,000 total) made on heart.org and GoRedforWomen.org for the entire month of February. Additionally, Big Lots stores are helping customers “go red” by offering a Red Dress pin for donations of $3 or more.
- CVS Health offers an opportunity to give at the register throughout the month of February in addition to supporting year-round research, education and access to care that improves women’s cardiovascular health.
- Blue Heron Jewelry in Poulsbo will collect donations for the American Heart Association February 1-15.
Nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is also the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S., or more simply put, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms. The good news is, heart disease and stroke are largely preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and management of risk factors.
Find educational resources to support women’s heart and brain health at every age, through every stage of life at GoRedforWomen.org and learn more about National Wear Red Day at WearRedDay.org. Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and locally supported by Optum Care Washington, Premera Blue Cross, MultiCare Health System and Cambia Health Foundation.
American Heart Association
heart.org