Friday, February 6, 2004 is National Wear Red Day, a day when people nationwide will take women's health to heart by wearing red to show their support for raising awareness that heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States. By showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, Americans will unite in the national movement to give women a personal and urgent wake-up call about their risk of heart disease.

National Wear Red Day supports the Red Dress as the symbol for women and heart disease awareness, allowing women and men across the country to participate in this life-saving awareness movement. The Federal government launched the Red Dress icon as the creative centerpiece of its Heart Truth campaign and is proud to collaborate with national and local partners to proclaim the first Friday during American Heart Month the first annual National Wear Red Day. Thousands of people will commemorate this important day through special events and awareness activities at clinics, hospitals, workplaces, and other public places to help spread The Heart Truth: "Heart disease doesn't care what you wear. It's the #1 killer of women."

It's never too early for our students to be encouraged to think about their health and their hearts. I'll be doing a bulletin board focusing on heart health, exercise, and nutrition this month. And I'll be wearing red on Friday. Spread the word!