As a local resident of Old Bridge, and a constituent of Middlesex County, I’m writing to ask all women, area residents, local businesses, schools and legislators to “go red” and wear something in that color Feb. 4.

It is for a great cause. It is our second annual American Heart Association National Wear Red Day for Women awareness campaign and by doing this you can help to save many lives in the garden state. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women.

We all have women in our lives we care about — our mothers and grandmothers, daughters and sisters, neighbors and friends. Through our research, the American Heart Association can say that cardiovascular diseases kills almost 500,000 females every year, and that number is on the increase every year. In fact, since 1984 more women than men have died annually from cardiovascular disease. I bet you didn’t know that. Well, unfortunately you’re not alone.

We commonly think of heart disease and stroke as a man’s disease. As you can see from the above statistics, this is certainly not true. In my position as New Jersey director of resuscitation training for the American Heart Association, I can tell you I see many women who suffer from this terrible disease and many of these individuals are younger than the age of 40. I also have several female friends that had either a heart attack, heart surgery or some other heart procedure while still in their 30s. I am quite sure you can say the same about someone you know as well. The American Heart Association is asking people throughout the garden state and especially Old Bridge to help Paint New Jersey Red! by going red and wearing red Feb. 4 in order to bring attention to the number one health threat facing women today. That ever-present threat is cardiovascular disease.

National Wear Red Day for Women supports the American Heart Association Go Red For Women campaign. This is a national movement that asks women to take charge of their cardiovascular health, make it a top priority and live a stronger, longer life. So if you can on Feb. 4, wear something red — such as a red shirt or tie, a red dress, vest or scarf, a red jacket, hat — or whatever you would feel appropriate wearing in the workplace. Also, why not have your family, business or local school go red with balloons, banners, streamers, or even red lights? Please help paint New Jersey red.

You will be glad you did.

You can learn more about the American Heart Association Go Red For Women movement and National Wear Red Day for Women by calling your local American Heart Association office or by calling 1-888-694-3278 or on the Web at www.Americanheart.org.

Peter Trabucco

New Jersey training director

regional manager II

National Emergency Cardiovascular Care Programs

American Heart Association