In honour of the national Go Red for Women day on Friday, 5th February at the OSF Saint Mary Medical Center is hosting a Women's Health and Fitness Fair. February is American Heart Month, during which the American Heart Association raises awareness of heart health and heart disease prevention. "Go Red for Women Day" was designed by the American Heart Association to embrace and elevate the cause of women and heart disease.

February being the American Heart Month, the American Heart Association (AMA) attempting to raise heart health awareness and heart disease prevention, has organised a Go Red for Women day on a national scale, for elevating the cause of women and heart disease.

The AHA’s initiative Go Red for Women has been designed to raise awareness about heart health, to educate and entertain at the same time. GRMC’s sixth annual Go Red event is to be a combination of food, fun, fellowship, fashion and vital heart disease information.

The Go Red 2010 will be held at a new venue i. e. Centre Stage in Rainbow City, featuring dinner and entertainment, local merchants displaying their wares, including a fashion show with local models dressed by local retailers, once again.

Not only will the Go Red 2010 be a perfect ‘girls night out’ opportunity, it also has the potential for helping save lives.

Keynote speaker Dr. Bryan W. McGwier from Southern Cardiovascular Associates will provide information about heart disease, its dangers and treatment , including how to recognize warning signs.

According to the American Heart Association, Go Red for Women aims to change the perception of heart disease only being man’s disease, with a goal of a 25% reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke risk year-end.

Those attending GRMC’s Go Red contribution to the community are invited to have a good time while working toward that goal.

With heart disease said to be the number one killer for women in America, everyone is urged to wear the colour red on 5th February for raising awareness of heart disease and empowering women to reduce their risk.

There will be a Women’s Health and Fitness Fair from 7:00 a. m. to 11:00 a. m. in the Cardiac Rehab Centre of OSF St. Mary Medical Centre. All those participating can get their blood pressure, BMI, blood sugar and cholesterol checked. In addition, there will be booths offering information on heart health, healthy eating, walking and fitness programmes proven to reduce heart disease risk.

Free and open to the public, door prize drawings will take place throughout the morning, along with give-aways.