Go Red For Women(R) Hosts Casting Call to Beat No. 1 Killer of Women With Celebrity Supporter Andie MacDowell

/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women face choices every day. Some choices aren't important, while others are life changing. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S., yet research shows that eighty percent of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women make the right choices for their hearts, involving diet, exercise and abstinence from smoking. That's why on February 6, 2009, National Wear Red Day, the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women(R) movement is launching a nationwide search for women who have turned their personal choices into life-saving actions. Actress Andie MacDowell will help kick off the search at the second annual national casting call at New York City's Grand Central Terminal.

Go Red For Women is looking for compelling stories of choice to help ignite action and inspire others. Women who share their stories have the chance to become spokeswomen - representing the cause on GoRedForWomen.org, in media appearances, advertising, billboards, at events and possibly in a nationally televised special on women and heart disease, airing on NBC in the fall of 2009.

"As I celebrate life, I can't help but think how young my mom was when she died of a heart attack at 53. My mom didn't get to meet her grandchildren, but I'm determined to watch mine grow up," said Andie MacDowell, actress and Go Red For Women supporter. "Right now, one in three women die of heart disease, but we can choose to beat it, using the tools and support provided by Go Red For Women."

The Importance of Heart-Healthy Choices

"Choosing to ignore your heart health may not seem life changing today, but more women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer," said Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., Go Red For Women spokeswoman and director of Nuclear Cardiology at New York University. "Heart disease is largely preventable if women choose to act, and our research shows that women who 'Go Red' are very likely to make new potentially life-saving choices."

Alarming heart health statistics include:
-- Cardiovascular disease kills more than 450,000 women each year, which
is about one every minute.
-- Only 1 in 5 women believe that heart disease is her greatest health
threat.
-- Sixty-four percent of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease
have no previous symptoms.

Casting Call Information

The New York City casting call event will be held on February 6, 2009, in Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall(R). Auditions will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST. Highlights include:

-- Appearance by Andie MacDowell, Go Red For Women celebrity supporter
-- Expert stylists from Macy's showing women how to 'Go Red' with the
latest makeup and accessories
-- Complimentary health screenings provided by Merck & Co. Screenings
will include: total cholesterol, blood pressure, and Body Mass Index
(BMI), allowing women to learn their critical health numbers.
-- Display of the red dress design finalists from the Macy's and American
Heart Association Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Red Dress
Competition
-- Opportunity to support Go Red For Women and take the Go Red Heart
CheckUp
-- Exclusive Go Red giveaways and more!


In addition to the national event in New York City, local Go Red For Women casting calls will be hosted in more than 50 other cities across the country. For more details on local events or to submit your story online, go to GoRedForWomen.org.

Choose to Wear Red on National Wear Red Day

The casting call is not the only way for women to show support for Go Red For Women. On February 6, 2009, women across the country are encouraged to wear red - whether it is a red dress, a red t-shirt, a red dress pin or red lipstick. Join thousands of other women, television personalities, news anchors and even national monuments, like the Empire State Building, to show the world you passionately support the American Heart Association's movement to save women's lives.

To thank you for your support, Macy's is offering an all-day in-store savings throughout the store from Wednesday, Feb. 4 through Sunday, Feb. 8 to shoppers wearing red. Shoppers not wearing red will be able to purchase a red dress pin for $2 and receive the savings. Macy's will donate 100% of the pin proceeds to Go Red For Women.

For more information about Go Red For Women, the casting call or National Wear Red Day, please visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.

Go Red For Women is nationally sponsored by Macy's and Merck & Co., Inc.

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Jiffy Lube(R) Seeks to Raise $1.5 Million for American Heart Association's Go Red For Women(TM) Movement

/PRNewswire/ -- Jiffy Lube today announces the launch of the second year of its nationwide campaign to support the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women(TM) movement. Starting January 28, more than 85 percent of Jiffy Lube locations across the U.S. will participate in the Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life campaign, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining a healthy heart and a healthy vehicle. Jiffy Lube seeks to raise $1.5 million to help fight heart disease, which would exceed last year's total of $1,034,757. One hundred percent of the funds will benefit Go Red For Women initiatives.

Prevalence of Heart Disease

Nearly 2,400 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day -- an average of one death every 37 seconds. In fact, heart disease is the nation's number one killer of women and men. Despite more women dying of heart disease than the next five causes of death combined, only 21 percent of women view heart disease as their greatest health threat.

"We're very excited to continue our partnership with the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement, which has made such a positive impact in the fight against heart disease," said Rick Altizer, president of Jiffy Lube International. "We were so blown away by the positive response and overwhelming support from our system and customers alike. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the AHA."

Making Contributions

Between January 28 and March 16, customers at participating service centers can support this cause with a donation of $3. In return, donors will receive a Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life savings book containing heart-healthy recipes, as well as $100 in savings from Jiffy Lube, Perfumania and Yankee Candle. Funds will be donated to local American Heart Association chapters in the communities in which they are raised. In addition, for each Jiffy Lube Gift Card(SM) purchased during the campaign, both online or at participating service centers, Jiffy Lube will donate $1 to Go Red For Women.

Healthy Hearts & Healthy Vehicles

Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life leverages the strong parallels between properly maintaining both heart health and vehicle health, and educates people on smart preventive maintenance of their bodies and vehicles. Maintaining a healthy heart and healthy vehicle is a matter of choice; the right choices can turn into life-saving actions. Regular visits to the doctor, along with a proper diet and exercise regime help keep both the body and heart healthy. Likewise, following the vehicle manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule can help keep a vehicle running properly. Simple choices can provide long-term benefits; to learn about choices that can benefit your heart health, visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.

"Jiffy Lube has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to the fight against heart disease," said David Josserand, American Heart Association Board Chairman. "Its Maintenance Partners for Life campaign touches many lives by raising awareness and much-needed funds across the nation. We're extremely grateful for the contributions Jiffy Lube has made to this cause and we look forward to working collectively to reach our Go Red For Women goals."

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