University News
WIU Hosts Go Red For Women Event Feb. 1
January 25, 2013
MACOMB, IL – February is Heart Health Month, and Friday, Feb. 1 is National Wear Red Day for Women's Heart Health, sponsored by the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women organization.
The Western Illinois University Women's Center, in collaboration with Beu Health Center, Campus Recreation, the Employee Wellness Committee, and the WIU Department of Dietetics, Fashion Merchandising and Hospitality are sponsoring the fourth annual Go Red Luncheon Friday, Feb. 1 on campus. The event will feature speakers, a campus and community resource table fair, and door prizes.
In addition to the sponsoring organizations, resource tables will be provided by Eta Sigma Gamma, the McDonough County Health Department, McDonough District Hospital, Students T.A.L.K. Peer Educators and the University Counseling Center.
The luncheon will feature heart-healthy food provided by Sodexo catering services. This year's menu includes homemade turkey chili, tomato bisque with fresh basil, herb grilled chicken breast, fresh green beans and angel food cake with fresh fruit.
The luncheon will be held from noon-12:50 p.m., and the resource fair will be from 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. The cost of the meal is $10 for non-students and $8 for students.
Reservations and payment are due by Tuesday, Jan. 29 to the Women's Center. Students may charge to their account with Rocky Dollars; checks may be made payable to the Women's Center.
"National Wear Red Day is a great opportunity to educate our community about the importance of heart health," said JoAnn Hairston-Jones, health education coordinator at Beu Health Center. "Heart disease is the number one killer of American women. Heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases kill more U.S. women than the next five causes of death combined, so events such as this can help educate women and others about the risk factors - diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and triglycerides, being overweight and smoking - and help each of us take an active role in preventing heart disease."
The committee especially encourages WIU students to attend the event.
"Hypertension is becoming more common among younger adults," Hairston-Jones said. "Its prevalence increases with lifestyle factors, genetics, and can adversely affect heart health."
This year's featured speaker will be Connie Kreps, office support specialist in the WIU Department of Psychology.
"We are pleased to have Ms. Kreps share her personal struggle with heart disease and the positive steps she has taken to care for her heart and health," said Amelia Hartnett, office manager at the Women's Center.
For more information, contact JoAnn Hairston-Jones at (309) 298-3225 or J-Hairston-Jones@wiu.edu, Janine Cavicchia at (309) 298-2242 or J-Cavicchia@wiu.edu or Judy Yeast at (309) 298-1670 or JA-Yeast@wiu.edu.
Learn more about the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day event at GoRedforWomen.org.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: