Kansas City events planned for National Wear Red Day

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The American Heart Association wants red to be the color of choice for wardrobes Friday as they seek to raise awareness about heart disease in women.

It's the National Wear Red Day, an annual effort to educate women about a disease that kills them more than all forms of cancer combined, according to an American Heart Association news release.

The red in an outfit can be as simple as socks or dressing in red from head to toe.

The American Heart Association states that eight million women in the U.S. live with heart disease.

One scary fact: 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease.

There are events across the area Friday to promote women's heart health. Here is a list of events and other ways to get involved, provided by the American Heart Association:

Kansas City Wear Red Day Activities

FREE M&I Spa Events: M&I Banks throughout the metro, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
M&I will host spa-inspired events around Kansas City designed to reduce stress and recognize the importance of women’s heart health. The event is free and open to the public. Services will include chair massages, manicures and more, and will vary by location. Attendees are urged to make a donation to the American Heart Association.

Seven M&I branches in the greater Kansas City area will participate:
800 W. 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64112
1201 N.W. Briarcliff Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64116
21900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS 66226
7225 Renner Road, Shawnee, KS 66217
18811 E. Valley View Parkway, Independence, MO 64055
11301 Nall Avenue, Leawood, KS 66211
4501 W. 135th Street, Leawood, KS 66224

Red Dress Dash: Start at M&I at The Plaza; End at Granfalloon, 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Throw on your favorite (or not so favorite) red dress over your winter clothing and Dash on The Plaza in support of women’s heart health. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman, we need your support to fight the No. 1 killer of women – heart disease. Dash for someone you love and write it on the tribute wall. Make a promise to yourself about how you’re going to live a heart-healthy life with Picture and a Promise. This event is FREE and open to the public. The first 100 participants will receive a free t-shirt, goodie bag and free drink.

Zumba-thon: Independence Center Food Court, 5 – 6:30 p.m.
The Independence Center Zumba-thon will engage participants in the fun exercise technique in an effort to begin their heart-healthy lifestyle. Cost is $10 for this event.

KCMO Casting Call: Sass Parlor, KCMO, 6 - 8 p.m.
Women are encouraged to share their personal testimony of how they or their loved ones have been affected by heart disease. The event will feature FREE Health Screenings, fitness demo, healthy-food tastings, beauty discounts and goodie bags.

(Saturday, Feb. 4) JoCo Go Red Connect Casting Call: Macy’s, Oak Park Mall, 1 – 4 p.m.
This event gives Kansas City women the opportunity to connect with others and learn how they can help save women’s lives from heart disease. Women are encouraged to share their personal story – whether they or someone they love has experienced heart disease, for a chance to become a national or local Go Red For Women spokesperson. FREE Health Screenings will also be provided by KCIM. Complimentary Macy’s gift cards will be given to the first 20 women who share their story and every participant will be registered to win a Fragrance Gift Basket.
For more information on local events, visit www.heart.org/kc.

Wear Red Day Photo Contest
Join the excitement of our first-ever Wear Red Day Photo Contest as we spotlight our most spirited supporters. Whether an individual or a group of colleagues, we want to know how you showed your support on National Wear Red Day. Visit www.facebook.com/AmericanHeartAssociationKansasCity and upload your photo to our “Show Us Your Red” photo tab on Facebook for a chance to win Wii Gaming Console. Winners will be notified and presented with their grand prize at the end of American Heart Month.

Support Loved Ones
Donate a few tweets to your family, friends, coworkers and groups using the hashtag #TweetGoneRedFor on twitter. We want to know WHO you go red for in your life!

Fund the Mission
Create a Fundraising page through www.GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay and invite your friends and family to make a donation to the cause.

For more information on Go Red Day and keeping heart healhty, go www.GoRedForWomen.org