Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. On Friday, Feb. 6, National Wear Red Day, people and landmarks across the nation will “Go Red” to raise awareness of women’s No. 1 killer. Here in New York City the World Trade Center, New York’s City Hall, Kosciuszko Bridge, Grand Central Terminal – Pershing Square Viaduct, MTA LIRR – East End Gateway at Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall, Helmsley Building, the Pavilion and Palm Trees in the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, One Manhattan West and the Mario Cuomo Bridge (just north of the City) are just some of the landmarks Going Red.
The American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, is working to raise awareness that heart disease and stroke can happen at any age and nearly 45% of women over age 20 are living with some form of CVD. On National Wear Red Day, the Heart Association urges everyone to join the Go Red for Women® movement in championing better health and well-being for all women by wearing red and spreading awareness. You can join the conversation online by sharing on social media using #WearRedDay, #WearRedAndGive and #GoRedforWomen.
The American Heart Association in New York City will also announce their 2026 New York City Class of Survivors. “The 2026 Class of Survivors represent a diverse sisterhood that shares their powerful stories to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke and inspire other women to take action to improve their health and well-being,” said Cristina Civetta, a congenital heart disease survivor, founder of the New York City Class of Survivors and along with her husband, Ed Scheetz, sponsor of the class.
Members of the class include: Ann Cutbill Lenane (heart disease), Annie Reardon (stroke), Sonali Bhavsar (heart disease), Artrisa Morris (heart disease), Irina Wierzbowski (heart disease and stroke), Jessica Falco (heart disease), Mariuxi Penafiel (stroke), Kiani Morisi (heart disease), Erica Shaw (stroke), Samantha Bessudo Drucker (heart disease),
Megan Fath (stroke), Whitney Sica (stroke), Irene Gofaone Rowland (heart disease), Tania Saiz (stroke) and Phaleya Burnside (heart disease).
The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement, nationally sponsored by CVS Health and locally sponsored by Northwell Health and JPMorganChase, is asking women to make bold moves today for a healthier tomorrow. This year Red Means Go, a call to action to be proactive about heart health, using the color red as a symbol for awareness and urgency.
Go, know your numbers: Maintaining good blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol and body mass index can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Go, join Research Goes Red to help ensure more women are represented and counted when it comes to scientific discovery: Women continue to be underrepresented in cardiovascular research
Go, learn Hands-Only CPR and be equipped with the knowledge to save a life: women are less likely to receive bystander CPR
“National Wear Red Day is about more than kicking off American Heart Month, it’s about everyone coming together to support the health and well-being of our mothers, daughters, sisters and the people who love them,” said Allison Beer, Chief Executive Officer, Card and Connected Commerce at JPMorganChase and the 2025-26 volunteer chair of Go Red for Women in New York City. “When we come together, like our 2026 New York City Class of Survivors, we are more powerful against cardiovascular disease. Together we can ensure every woman has equal opportunities to live longer, healthier lives.”
Find resources to support women’s heart health at every age and stage of life at GoRedforWomen.org and learn more about National Wear Red Day at WearRedDay.org. For more information about the New York City Go Red for Women movement, contact or visit www.heart.org/nycgored.
