2008 Woodie Awards
Have a heart and help fight heart disease
Ryan Weaver/Beacon correspondent
Issue date: 2/7/05 Section: Lifestyle
- Page 1 of 2 next >
The American Heart Association (AHA) is hosting a nationwide "Wear Red Day" to raise money and awareness for the number one killer in the U.S-heart disease. AHA is urging people in the Boston area and across the country to "paint" their towns red tomorrow. Even landmarks like Niagara Falls and the Empire State Building will be illuminated in red to support the AHA.
The "Wear Red" event is urging employees of U.S. companies nationwide to buy "the right to wear red." That is, the right to wear a red shirt and jeans at work. The idea, according to Vicki Grisanti, the communication coordinator for AHA in Boston, is that "it's an opportunity to recognize the women in your life. Cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more sisters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers and girlfriends than the next seven leading causes of death, including all cancers."
Katelyn Haggerty, the manager of Fitcorp at Emerson, pushed for the fitness center and the athletic department to set up a drive to help raise funds for "Wear Red Day." The fitness center took charge of collecting donations a few weeks ago and dispensing the "red dress stickers" that will be the hallmark of the day.
Students can make a $5 donation at the fitness center desk, where Haggerty said employees have been doing their best to communicate the message to students checking in.
Haggerty said she has faith that the Emerson community will come to hold this cause close to its heart the way she does.
"My sister works for AHA now," Haggerty said. "It's a nationwide day ... they're [AHA] really trying to build it up in the Boston area ... working with Boston-area businesses."
It may not seem like good marketing to garner donations from penny-pinching college students, but the fitness center plans to score the green for "Wear Red Day" by emphasizing to students that there is nothing more valuable in life than your health.
"Women's health issues have been overlooked in the medical industry," said Jennifer Finn, Emerson's Fitcorp general manager. She added that by donating to the event, you are helping yourself and people who are your age.
The "Wear Red" event is urging employees of U.S. companies nationwide to buy "the right to wear red." That is, the right to wear a red shirt and jeans at work. The idea, according to Vicki Grisanti, the communication coordinator for AHA in Boston, is that "it's an opportunity to recognize the women in your life. Cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of more sisters, mothers, aunts, grandmothers and girlfriends than the next seven leading causes of death, including all cancers."
Katelyn Haggerty, the manager of Fitcorp at Emerson, pushed for the fitness center and the athletic department to set up a drive to help raise funds for "Wear Red Day." The fitness center took charge of collecting donations a few weeks ago and dispensing the "red dress stickers" that will be the hallmark of the day.
Students can make a $5 donation at the fitness center desk, where Haggerty said employees have been doing their best to communicate the message to students checking in.
Haggerty said she has faith that the Emerson community will come to hold this cause close to its heart the way she does.
"My sister works for AHA now," Haggerty said. "It's a nationwide day ... they're [AHA] really trying to build it up in the Boston area ... working with Boston-area businesses."
It may not seem like good marketing to garner donations from penny-pinching college students, but the fitness center plans to score the green for "Wear Red Day" by emphasizing to students that there is nothing more valuable in life than your health.
"Women's health issues have been overlooked in the medical industry," said Jennifer Finn, Emerson's Fitcorp general manager. She added that by donating to the event, you are helping yourself and people who are your age.