'Go Red for Women' Means Wear Red Friday to Highlight Heart Health

Parkway Central High Senior Women will host a first ever “Hoops for the Heart” contest Friday, Feb. 3 at halftime of the varsity boys basketball game, to raise awareness about the No. 1 killer of women—heart disease.

February is American Heart Month, and Friday is national Go Red for Women day. Wear red on Friday as part of a nationwide campaign against heart disease.

Heart disease kills nearly 500,000 women each year.

In partnership with the American Heart Association (AHA), Senior Women will sell red ribbons, red heart beads and the AHA Red Dress pin during first block Friday at Parkway Central High.

(Watch celebrity Star Jones' very personal testimony about why she wears red, in the image gallery with this article.)

Then later that day, tickets for chances to win prizes in "Hoops for the Heart" contest will be sold during all games Friday evening, $1 each, or six tickets for $5.

There are six home basketball games Friday, all against Parkway North, beginning at 4pm. The boys varsity game starts at 7pm, and "Hoops for the Heart" takes place at halftime.

Hoops for the Heart gives five contestants chances to win prizes from local vendors in the community, with items included from:

• Gold’s Gym,
• Club Fitness,
• Prana Yoga,
• The Bar Method,
• Massage Envy,
• Massage Luxe,
• Alpine Shop,
• Jason’s Deli,
• Mr Goodcents,
• McAlister’s Deli,
• Jimmy John’s,
• FroYo,
• Smoothie King, and
• Lululemon.

Proceeds from the day's sales and the contest will be donated to AHA, Senior Women said.

The school's PE/Health department will also be sharing their knowledge of heart disease throughout the year, teaching kids about heart wellness and encouraging healthy and active lifestyles, officials said.

For more information, contact Gina Caruso at gcaruso@parkwayschools.net