Dozens of Grand Rapids buildings “go red for women” on February 6

By: Deborah Johnson Wood

On February 6, the red dress logo of the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement will be visible to thousands of motorists as they tool past the Grand Rapids skyline along US-131. Two downtown buildings owned by DeVries Companies will sport a lighted image of the dress in support of National Wear Red Day.

In addition, Spectrum Health, River House Condominiums, properties managed by Grubb & Ellis|Paramount Commerce and nine businesses in the Cherry Hill business district will promote awareness of the campaign by decorating lobbies and store windows red, providing employees and customers with brochures and window clings, and a variety of other activities.

“Turning the buildings red is new for the area,” says Cindy Bouma, communications director for the AHA Midwest affiliate. “The area YMCAs have put up displays in the past and we wanted to go bigger to tie into the movement on a national level. Our goal is education.”

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death among U.S. women, taking one life per minute, Bouma says. In 1977, just 30 percent of women interviewed by the AHA recognized that heart disease was a leading cause of death in women; in 2006, thanks in part to the AHA campaign, the awareness rate when up to 57 percent.

Bouma adds that other businesses in Greater Grand Rapids will “go red” on February 6. Other events during February include a mobile art gallery featuring four local female stroke survivors and a fundraiser luncheon on February 27.

“We’re excited that more women than ever recognize that heart disease is their number one killer,” Bouma says, “and that they’re taking action against it and reducing risk factors like high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and stopping smoking.”

Source: Cindy Bouma, American Heart Association, Midwest Affiliate

Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].