Title
To declare February 4, 2011 as Wear Red Day in Columbus, and to raise awareness that cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women.
Body
WHEREAS, diseases of the heart are the nation's leading cause of death and stroke is the third leading cause of death; and
WHEREAS, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among women over the age of twenty, and one in three females in the United States has some form of cardiovascular disease; and
WHEREAS, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of nearly half a million women each year - more than the next four causes of death combined, and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer, including breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, the cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the United States for 2010 is estimated at $503.2 billion; and
WHEREAS, February is designated as American Heart Month; and
WHEREAS, the American Heart Association is promoting the Go Red For Women movement, which encourages women to pay attention to their hearts and help them live longer, stronger lives by reducing their risk for cardiovascular disease; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does recognize the importance of the ongoing fight against heart disease and stroke, and does hereby declare Friday, February 4, 2011, as Wear Red Day in Columbus.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Council urges Columbus residents to wear red in recognition of family, friends, and neighbors who have suffered from heart disease, and as a show of support for the fight against it. By increasing awareness of the risk factors for this devastating disease and taking actions to reduce them, we can save thousands of lives each year.