Stars wear red to share "The Heart Truth" about women's No. 1 killer
Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2012

Heart and Stroke Foundation's celebrity fashion show to highlight women's heart health

TORONTO, Feb. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Celebrated Canadians and top fashion designers to join forces this International Women's Day for the fifth anniversary of The Heart Truth Fashion Show on March 8 in Toronto.

The fifth anniversary of The Heart Truth Fashion Show promises to be the biggest yet, with A-listers from television, film, music, sports and media modeling one-of-a-kind creations by top Canadian fashion designers. For the second consecutive year, men will show their support on the catwalk. The Heart Truth campaign brings this life-saving message to all Canadian women: protect your heart health.

"The truth is heart disease and stroke is the number one killer of women in Canada1, more than all cancers combined," says Bobbe Wood, president, Heart and Stroke Foundation. "We are calling on women to put their own health first. Women often put their family's health before their own, but it's critical for women to make their own health a priority so that they can live full and healthy lives and be there to take care of their loved ones."

Celebrity models strutting for the cause this year include: reality TV star Shannon Tweed with her husband Gene Simmons; singers Jully Black and Divine Brown, media personalities Jessi Cruickshank, Liza Fromer, Natasha Gargiulo, Isabelle Maréchal and Angie Seth; actors Ali Liebert, Lisa Ray, Gabrielle Rose, Lauren Lee Smith, Jessica Steen, Amanda Tapping, Jennifer Finnigan and Tamara Taylor; soap star Susan Haskell; and Olympic champion Catriona Le May Doan.

The Heart Truth Fashion Show will take place in the lead-up to Fashion Week at the Carlu in downtown Toronto. Media are advised to save the date for Thursday, March 8, with the pre-show reception at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 8 p.m. Media should RSVP to emily.palley-samson@edelman.com by Monday, March 5.

The Heart Truth campaign is streaming the show live March 8 at 8 pm EST on the website at www.thehearttruth.ca/livefashionshow and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheHeartTruth. Canadians are invited to cheer their favourite celebs down the runway, participate in the Twitter conversation at #thehearttruth and join the community at www.facebook.com/TheHeartTruth.

"We're encouraging women across Canada to celebrate the cause, get dressed up in red dresses and watch the online show from home with their friends," says Wood. "We've put together The Heart Truth viewing party toolkit, which includes everything from invites to ideas for heart healthy appetizers and it's available for download at www.thehearttruth.ca."

About The Heart Truth™ campaign

The Heart and Stroke Foundation's The Heart Truth campaign is raising awareness that heart disease and stroke is the #1 killer of women in Canada, but most don't know it. Heart disease is not a "man's disease": women are more likely than men to die of a heart attack or stroke. But by taking care of themselves and making incremental heart healthy lifestyle changes, women can add more years to their life and more life to their years. In fact, women can reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke by as much as 80 per cent by making lifestyle changes2.

Canadians can show their support for The Heart Truth by purchasing and wearing a red dress pin, the official symbol of the campaign, which represents women's courage, passion and their power for change as they share the truth with others and raise awareness about the importance of heart health. Red dress pins are available for purchase at local Heart and Stroke Foundation offices. One hundred percent of proceeds will be reinvested into women and heart disease initiatives.

The Heart Truth campaign gratefully acknowledges the support of founding sponsor, Becel, and contributing sponsors Post Shredded Wheat, Chatelaine, and Health Check™, without whom the program would not be possible.

About The Heart and Stroke Foundation™

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy.



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