By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com

Which is why the American Heart Association is campaigning to raise awareness of the prevalence of heart disease in women.

More than a dozen Central Nebraska businesses and organizations encouraged their employees to wear red Friday as part of national "Wear Red Day."

In its fourth year, the event is part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign to educate the public about heart disease and stroke.

Many think of heart disease, which often manifests in the form of a heart attack, as a "man's disease."

But according to the Centers for Disease Control, heart disease is the leading cause of death among both women and men in the U.S., leading to an estimated one death per minute.

Business and organizations that agreed to participate in Wear Red Day encouraged their employees to make a donation of $5 to the American Heart Association in exchange for the privilege of wearing jeans and a red shirt to work.

Participants were also given Wear Red Day stickers and information about the American Heart Association and heart disease.

In Grand Island, Chief Buildings, Grand Island Senior High, Goodwill Industries, Midtown Holiday Inn and Tier One Bank were among the businesses that registered with the American Heart Association to take part.

At Goodwill, the day went hand-in-hand with the organizations other efforts to promote wellness, said Tammie Blaha, head of marketing and development for Goodwill.

Wearing jeans and more casual clothes was also a treat for employees at some businesses, such as Tier One Bank, said Sue Mayhew, a Tier One loan processor.

"A majority of our employees here are women, so we want to be a real good support for them," Mayhew said.

Both Mayhew and Blaha said the day has helped raise awareness of heart disease in their offices.

Nationwide, an estimated 10,000 businesses participate in Wear Red Day.

Also, starting Friday, Nebraska's capitol will be illuminated with red lights for three days as part of the campaign.

Money raised through the Go Red For Women movement will go to American Heart Association research and education projects, said Jayme George, communications director for the heart association's Midwest region.

In 2007, Nebraska universities received $5.9 million in research money from the association, George said, meaning some of the money raised in Nebraska makes its way back to the state.

Most of all, however, the day is about helping women realize the prevalence of heart disease and take steps to prevent it.

"Heart disease is the No. 1 killer," George said. "That's something that's touching all of us."

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