Her Heart Matters: Wear Red Day Canada

By Ysabelle Tumaneng, General Member

If you thought Valentine's Day was the only time to wear red, think again! Wear Red Day is observed on February 13, the day before Valentine's Day. Every year, Wear Red Canada is observed across the country to promote women's heart health. Events are organized around the nation to serve as a reminder for all Canadians, especially women, to be attentive, inquisitive, and proactive in managing our heart health and well-being. 

But what does this have to do with women's heart health? Heart disease was formerly considered a "man's sickness," but that is no longer the case. While male heart disease is decreasing, female heart disease is growing.  Heart disease is the leading cause of early death in both international and Canadian female populations. 

The good news is that 80% of a woman's risk factors for heart disease are within her control, making it largely preventable. Women's hearts and experiences with heart disease differ from men's. Yet, much of what we know about the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, including disorders of the heart, its valves, arteries, and other blood vessels, is based on male research. 

These differences are significant, because they may impact how heart disease manifests in women and how it is identified and treated. It has an impact on women's survival rates as well. The opposite is not always true. With the appropriate knowledge and effort, heart disease may be prevented, or your chances of surviving it and leading a healthy life may be improved. 

How to Participate:

There are a few ways you can take part in this important initiative: 

From February 13-28, 2023, participate in the Wear Red Chanada Movement Challenge, Get active! Run, skate, ski, anything goes! Join the Movement Challenge and get some cool swag in your participant kit!

On the 13th, many communities will “Light the Town RED”! Find the most well-known and historic building nearby! In support of women's heart health, historic and well-known structures, landmarks, bridges, signs, and shops all across Canada will glow red. Find the building that is closest to you, snap a picture of it, and upload it on social media with the hashtags #WearRedCanada and #HerHeart Matters.

Here are some notable buildings participating;

Alberta

  • High Level Bridge, Edmonton

  • Reconciliation Bridge, Calgary

British Columbia 

  • BC Place, Vancouver

  • Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver

  • City Hall, Delta

  • City Hall, Port Coquitlam 

  • City Hall, Vancouver

  • Fitzsimmons Creek Bridge, Whistler

  • Harbour Centre, Vancouver

  • Lafarge Lake fountains, Town Centre Park, Coquitlam

  • The Nest, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

  • The Clocktower, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

  • Parliament Legislature fountains, Victoria

  • Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver

  • Sails of Light at Canada Place, Port of Vancouver 

  • Science World, Vancouver

  • Tsawwassen median banners 

  • Vancouver Convention Centre

  • Vancouver Lookout

  • Victoria Street Bridge, Trail

New Brunswick

  • City Centre Tower, Bathurst

  • City Hall, Dieppe

  • City Hall, Fredericton

  • Downing Street, Downtown Place & Avenir Centre, Moncton

Nova Scotia 

Ontario

  • Big Nickel and Science North, Sudbury

  • Civic Centre Clock Tower, Mississauga

  • CN Tower (from sunset), Toronto - Live webcam

  • Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto

  • Niagara Falls (10pm-10:15pm) - Live camera

  • "OTTAWA" sign, Byward Market

Saskatchewan

  • City Hall Clock Tower, Moose Jaw

  • City Hall, Estevan

  • City Hall foyer, Regina

  • Confederation Park, Regina

  • Sasktel Centre, Saskatoon

The event's proud hosts are the Canadian Women's Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA) and Canadian Women's Heart Health Centre (CWHHC), and financial support is provided by the University of Ottawa Heart Institute Foundation (UOHIF).

On February 13 and all February long, use the hashtags: #HerHeartMatters & #WearRedCanada

Follow them on Socials: 

Information obtained from https://wearredcanada.ca/