Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women,  yet fewer than half of women know it.

That’s the message behind the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, which is working to close awareness and care gaps in women’s heart health.

The Akron/Canton Go Red for Women event brought together approximately 250 community members to learn more about women’s cardiovascular risk, honor survivors and support lifesaving research. The event has raised more than $300,000 and counting to help improve how heart disease is identified, diagnosed, treated and prevented in women.

Nearly half of women age 20 and older are living with some form of cardiovascular disease. Women also face unique risk factors tied to life stages such as pregnancy and menopause. Despite that, women remain underrepresented in cardiovascular research and are statistically less likely to receive CPR from a bystander.

The Go Red for Women campaign, launched in 2004, encourages women to understand their risk and take action. While red traditionally signals stop or caution, organizers say when it comes to heart health, “Red Means Go.”

Serving as emcee of the event was Kathy Vogel, afternoon host on our sister station WONE.

For more information, visit heart.org/neohgored.