CHICAGO, Feb. 3, 2023 — The American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, will officially kick off Heart Month with its 19th annual Wear Red Day on Feb. 3, 2023.

Wear Red Day encourages people to wear red to bring awareness to heart health for women. To commemorate Wear Red Day, buildings throughout downtown Chicago will go red to further the mission of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women initiative.

This year, the city landmarks that will go red for women’s heart health include:

  • Willis Tower

  • The John Hancock Observatory

  • The Chicago Board of Trade

  • 900 N Michigan

  • Navy Pier Centennial Wheel

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower 

  • Wrigley Building

  • Soldier Field

  • 300 S. Riverside Plaza

“Heart health is a global issue, so getting important landmarks in a metropolitan center like Chicago to go red and raise awareness for today is extremely gratifying. It truly feels like we’re doing our part to push the rest of the world toward longer, healthier lives,” said American Heart Association, Chicago executive director, Brittany Walsh.

In addition to buildings going red, the Chicago affiliate of the American Heart Association will encourage local news anchors to wear red for the day as well. Last year, anchors and reporters on ABC7, NBC5, CBS, FOX32 and WGN donned red outfits on air in support of Heart Month and Wear Red day.

The American Heart Association will be celebrating Heart Month throughout the month of February. This year’s Heart Month theme is “Be the Beat,” which encourages community members, especially in Black and Hispanic-Latino communities to learn Hands-Only CPR.

Research from the American Heart Association indicates that women are less likely to receive bystander CPR. This discrepancy is due in part to bystanders’ fear of being accused of sexual harassment and the belief that breasts make it harder to perform CPR. Worse still, 90% of victims of an out-of-hospital cardiac event will die and women in Black and Hispanic-Latino communities are also less likely to know CPR. Despite the knowledge gap, both populations showed more enthusiasm about learning CPR after watching a training video.

­­“This year we’re putting a lot of emphasis on the ‘chain of survival.’ How we get from a cardiac event to a positive health outcome in as many cases as possible,” said senior development director for Go Red for Women, Candice Schaefer.

February’s events will include the return of the Women of Impact campaign. During the nine-week blind campaign, nominated women who are leaders in their community will fundraise with teams toward the American Heart Association’s mission of longer, healthier lives for all. Heart Month will culminate with the 19th annual Go Red for Women Luncheon on Feb. 24. The luncheon is chaired by Diana Kunz, deputy national audit industry leader of banking & capital markets at KPMG. Go Red for Women is nationally sponsored by CVS Health and locally sponsored by Dover Corporation, Ariel Investments, KPMG and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

“It’s a celebration of survival, of increasing survival rates and of educating people so they can save lives. But it’s also about helping people thrive. ‘Be the Beat’ encourages people to set the tone of health and knowledgeability within their networks and to challenge themselves and others to keep building on their best habits. It’s truly such a worthy goal for us to promote,” Schaefer said.

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About Go Red for Women®
The American Heart Association’s signature initiative, Go Red for Women®, is a comprehensive platform designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. While the majority of cardiac events can be prevented, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women, claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women. For 19 years, Go Red for Women has encouraged awareness. The movement harnesses the energy, passion and power of women to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them tools they need to lead a heart healthy life. The Go Red for Women movement is nationally sponsored by CVS Health, with additional support from national cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedforWomen.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721).
 

About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for nearly a century. Connect with us on heart.orgFacebookTwitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. 

For Media Inquiries: Jorie Goins: Jorie.Goins@Heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

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