New York Fashion Week officially kicked-off today, opening with it’s signature runway event: The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection. This runway show features a number of celebrities and famous faces wearing red dresses by different fashion designers in order to raise awareness about heart disease in women.
According to the National Institutes of Health website, “[this] spectacular event reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action. For the first time ever, a selection of the designer dresses seen on the runway will be auctioned online in February through a partnership with Clothes Off Our Back.” Proceeds from the auction will “benefit the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health and will be used to further efforts related to women’s heart health awareness and research.”
This year’s catwalk queens included: Katie Couric, Susan Lucci, Vivica Fox, Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Natsia Liukin, Hilary Duff, Amanda Bynes and Brittany Snow.
I am a survivor as I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in October 2008. I have admired through TV yearly what the fashion industry does for Heart Health. Due to my disease, my support for women and my love for education, I am being used as a vessel to talk about my story daily. My mission is to not only highlight heart health one month out of twelve, but my purpose is to save a life daily. As the #1 killer of women above and beyond all other diseases, I challenge others to fall in love with their hearts.
My story is extensive and complex. Please read p.80 in this month (February) Black Enterprise as I personally reveal how my life was changed through pain and faith. This should be a movement! Go Red daily!