American Heart Association's Go Red For Women® launches The Go Red Commitment this American Heart Month to motivate women to take action against heart disease

Go Red For Women, Macy's and CVS Health join together throughout February to raise funds and awareness to end heart disease and stroke for all women

Volunteers and supporters are encouraged to wear red on National Wear Red Day (Friday, Feb. 2)

News provided by

American Heart Association

Feb 01, 2018, 08:00 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women®, nationally sponsored by Macy's and CVS Health, is asking all women to take their heart health seriously by making an official Go Red Commitment during American Heart Month. In addition to joining women across the country in taking critical steps together to end heart disease and stroke forever, Go Red For Women and its sponsors are encouraging women – and men – to Wear Red & Give to the American Heart Association on Friday, February 2.

"Women's issues are now front and center in our national conversation, yet cardiovascular diseases still kill nearly one in every three women each year. In fact, today, heart disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined, and we still don't fully understand the role gender plays," said American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown. "That is unacceptable and there is no better time than now for women to come together and make a Go Red Commitment to take action for women's heart health. When you support Go Red For Women by making a Go Red Commitment, fundraising and sharing your story, more research is funded and more lives are saved."

Despite cardiovascular diseases being the number one killer of women, fewer than 20 percent of women consider heart disease or stroke to be the greatest health problem they face. Fortunately, about 80 percent of cardiovascular diseases may be prevented through education and simple lifestyle changes. By making a Go Red Commitment, women can take the first step. The organization is calling on women to work together throughout February, American Heart Month, in the following ways:

Join a Friend or Family Member in Making a Go Red Commitment

Now, more than ever, women understand that when they commit and work together, real change is possible. That's why Go Red For Women is calling upon women to come together and take action in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Making an official Go Red Commitment is easy: 1) Visit GoRedForWomen.org/Commit; 2) Select a personal commitment to get active, eat healthy, monitor your blood pressure, join My Research Legacy™ or donate to Go Red; and 3) Submit your commitment and share on your social channels.

Visit GoRedForWomen.org/Commit to personalize your commitment today.

Go Red with Macy's

As the founding national sponsor, Macy's has raised more than $65 million for Go Red For Women since the movement launched in 2004. Every dollar raised helps fund lifesaving research and awareness that adds more time to women's lives.

Macy's customers who wear red or purchase an official Red Dress Pin for $3 during its Wear Red Sale (Jan. 31 – Feb. 5, with presales starting Jan. 28), will receive 25 percent off a selection of items storewide, plus an extra 15 or 10 percent off select departments. Exclusions and restrictions apply. New this year, customers who purchase a Red Dress Pin – only available in stores – will get a second one for free to give to a friend or family member. Macy's will donate 100 percent of pin sale proceeds to Go Red For Women.

Additionally, from Tuesday, Feb. 6, through Feb. 28, Macy's will invite customers to round up their in-store purchase to the nearest dollar (up to $.99) and donate their change to Go Red For Women.

To celebrate National Wear Red Day, 10 percent of the purchase price of two Macy's-exclusive red dresses and one specialty t-shirt will benefit Go Red For Women throughout February. The dresses by Calvin Klein and Thalia Sodi, as well as the specialty t-shirt from Thalia Sodi, are available in select stores and on Macys.com/GoRed.

"Macy's treasures our long-standing relationship with the American Heart Association," said Holly Thomas, Group Vice President of Cause Marketing at Macy's. "As a founding sponsor of the Go Red For Women movement, we've seen the importance of heart health awareness, and the power it has to change and save lives. This is a cause that many associates and customers have a personal connection with and, together, Macy's is proud to have raised more than $65 million since 2004."

Go Red with CVS Health

To help women better understand their risk of heart disease, MinuteClinic®, the retail walk-in medical clinic of CVS Health, is offering no cost "Know Your Numbers" heart screenings at its more than 1,100 locations nationwide every Wednesday in February, including Valentine's Day. The screenings include total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index. Bayer® Aspirin is the proud sponsor of the heart health screenings at MinuteClinic, in recognition of CVS Health's support of Go Red For Women.

As part of CVS Health's $10 million commitment to Go Red For Women, CVS Pharmacy customers can also help in the fight against heart disease and stroke by making a $1, $3 or larger donation at checkout at CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide or online at http://www.cvshealth.com/gored Jan. 28 – Feb. 17.

"With nearly half of American adults at risk for major health problems due to high blood pressure, including heart disease and stroke, we are pleased to make heart health screenings more accessible and affordable for more Americans," said Lisa Bisaccia, Chief Human Resources Officer, CVS Health and incoming national volunteer chair for Go Red For Women. "We know many of our customers and colleagues have been touched by heart disease and stroke and we encourage them to take action by getting a screening themselves and giving the gift of heart health to others by donating to Go Red For Women to help in the fight against heart disease."

Additionally, for every pack of Extra Gum sold at CVS Pharmacy this February, CVS Pharmacy will donate $1 to Go Red For Women up to $100,000.

ABOUT GO RED FOR WOMEN
Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women because it's not just a man's disease. In fact, more women than men die every year from heart disease and stroke. The good news is that 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. Go Red For Women advocates for more research and swifter action for women's heart health. The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy's, with additional support from our cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278).

ABOUT AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT MACY'S
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. (NYSE: M), delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 734 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores -- including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, and Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California -- are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $69 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.

ABOUT CVS HEALTH
CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,700 retail locations, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 90 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

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SOURCE American Heart Association