Go Red For Women
When I was thirteen, my father had quintuple bypass surgery. My father was in his early thirties. I was barely a teenager and this was the late 1970’s so let’s be clear. The health crazy hadn’t hit America. Nobody knew from trans fats or low fat. Restaurants cooked the way they wanted and nobody special ordered. There weren’t little neat packets of salad dressing from Weight Watchers or other brands and there certainly weren’t understanding waiters and waitresses just waiting to ask angry and annoyed chefs if they’d cook to order. But there was one embarrassed, mortified teenage girl who couldn’t believe her mother made special salad dressing in Tupperware cups that leaked all over; and then brought said cups to restaurants to use for my dad. “Do you have margarine instead of butter?” she’d ask. I wanted to crawl under the table. Stupid me. It took until I was a grown up to realize instead of being embarrassed, I should have been GRATEFUL my dad had survived and was there with me at dinner so I COULD be embarrassed.
Fast forward. My dad is still here. Let’s leave my emotional issues out of this blog 
, but suffice it to say, I’m very lucky and I know it. I also inherited his tendency towards clogged arteries and high cholesterol. I did not inherit his ability to take the cholesterol medication. It makes me ill, so watching my diet is all the more important and luckily for me, I live in a time when everyone is fussy about what they eat, how they order, and there’s no embarrassment to be found. (At least not much. As I said, I do have teenagers!)
I support the American Heart Association with a yearly donation. I also send out envelopes to my neighborhood and truthfully very few people return them with a donation, so I add another donation to the cause. My girls do Hoops for Heart at school and I donate for that as well. 
For most people, February is Valentine’s Day and they wear red for that reason. For me, February is also Wear Red Day (Friday February 2), the purpose for which is to educate women about the dangers of heart disease – which too often is a silent killer.
I wasn’t going to lecture you but I changed my mind because I care. I watch all these things for myself too.
Did you know: There are some risk factors for heart disease you can control:
* High blood pressure. This condition can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
* Smoking. If you smoke, your risk of developing coronary heart disease is two to four times that of nonsmokers. Smoking is also a major preventable cause of stroke.
* High cholesterol. The higher your total blood cholesterol, the greater your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke..
* Physical inactivity. Lack of physical activity increases your risk of coronary heart disease and stroke..
* Obesity or overweight. If you have excess body fat — especially at the waist — you’re more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.
* Diabetes. Having diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, especially if your blood sugar is not controlled.
There are other risk factors to be aware of — talk to your doctor about how your age, race and heredity may affect your risk for heart disease.
If you want information on the subject and I encourage you to do so, please visit: http://www.goredforwomen.org/love_your_heart/how_to_love_your_heart.html
Start there and click around. Educate yourself and you’ll be around to read our blog for a long time to come!!
Check back Friday for a contest linked to today’s blog!
So tell me: Do you have a cause near and dear to your heart?
I for one thank you for the lecture Carly. Right now I’m in good health, but both sides of my family are riddled with heart problems, cancer diabetes, you name it. It’s made me much more conscious of how I take care of myself because the risks are higher.
You’re never too young to start taking care of your health. Besides, I love red :love2:
Comment by Stacy ~ — January 30, 2007 @ 7:30 am
Thanks, Stacy, I edited the last few lines probably as you were posting, LOL.
Comment by Carly — January 30, 2007 @ 7:33 am
Causes near and dear to my :love2
Dad had an aortic transplant when daughter was only 6 months old. When he died 2 years ago, that damn titanium valve was still going strong. Parkinson’s, Colon cancer and Prostate cancer finally got him. But not that dang valve! (Now they use pig valves instead of titanium, which actually have a longer life. And he clicked sometimes, which was funny when you were somewhere it was very quiet. No one could figure out why we would be giggling. Like at a funeral.)
DH had a heart attack 2 years ago also. And he is a diabetic. Son-in-law is a juvenile diabetic and has lost his sight, a leg and had a kidney transplant.
Breast cancer has, at one point or another, hit every female in my family, except my daughter. I have had my own scare.
So how the heck do you pick just one???
Comment by ev — January 30, 2007 @ 8:59 am
I believe in having my annual mammagram and physical. I walk several times a week and try to eat healthy (a challenge as I love food and lots of chocolate). This past December I received a letter from Life Line Screening which was new to me. They go around the country and you can be tested for the early warning signs of a stroke and osteoporosis; it only takes about an hour for a small charge compared to having it done in a hospital or clinic, but was definitely worth it. About 21 days later I received a written report of my test results in the mail which I will pass on to my doctor; it can bring problems to your attention or at least give you a better idea of the condition of your heart’s blood flow through your body.
Comment by Shari C — January 30, 2007 @ 9:06 am
I have a cause that is near and dear to me. Called the Conquer Cancer Coalition of Massachusetts. This organization raises money through a specialty license plate here in Massachusetts.
http://www.conquercancer.org/
The coalition was started by Susan Zucker and her two sons in 2004 after they lost her husband to cancer. I met her at a fair where she was handing out the pamplets about getting involved and getting a plate. They still hadn’t had enough applications to get the plates into production. I just had to help out. My Uncle who was 42 and dying of Non- Hodgkins Lymphoma was like an older brother to me, NOT and Uncle. Helping this cause made me feel like I could do sometihng instead of sitting back and feeling helpless. I helped by sending in letters to my local paper, handing out the applications to family and friends, and getting my own application in. I am happy to say, the license plates are out there…on my car for one. And the organization just gave out the first $70,000 to 4 organizations that are in Cancer rearch and prevention as well as a place for survivors of cancer to go. So it is really an organization fighting against ALL forms of cancer. And helping people that survive it.
Yikes, I guess I got a little carried away. I will get off my soap box now…but before I do that. I urge anyonw in Massachusetts to visit the site and think about getting one of these plates. :mrgreen:
Comment by Kelly F. — January 30, 2007 @ 9:08 am
Hi Carly
Yes I have Diabetes and thanks to my hero he helps me from haveing to go have shots he keeps me in line and I have high blood pressure too so you name it I have and thanks to my hubby and me of course helps me so much and I keep every on track but it’s soooooooooo hard some times
Comment by sue — January 30, 2007 @ 9:09 am
Thanks Carly for this blog…I think we often get so busy that we forget about the risks that we take with our own helath at times. I’m in the process of quiting smoking, I say process because the medicine (from my doctor) allows you to smoke the first week and then not after that. The great thing is after a couple of days you really don’t want to smoke. I guess that might be one of my biggest causes. Smoking and it’s effects. I had quit for 19 years only to start again 2 years ago. I know stupid…can’t even say silly on that one, just plain dumb. This time I don’t ever plan on picking one up.
Also, thanks Shari for the information that you gave on Life Line Screening. I’m going to check that out.
Comment by Vicki — January 30, 2007 @ 9:51 am
Sorry I was going on and on a forgot to say the cure for young and old diabetes I do the walk for the cure here for diabetes
Comment by sue — January 30, 2007 @ 9:59 am
Just about all of my family(me included) battle high cholesterol and my sister has the added problem of diabetes. I really try to keep my diet as healthy as possible(trying to keep from having to take cholesterol meds as long as possible), but my dad and all his sibs are on different meds. Some have tried herbal meds and they do work for my aunt, but diet seems to help the most. I still remember the 2nd bypass surgery my grandmother had and when I think of that, it helps to keep me on track. Thanks for the additional info Carly. Count me in on Wear Red Day!!!
Comment by Liza — January 30, 2007 @ 10:37 am
Great topic and reminder for all of us to TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES! We only get this one life, so make it a healthy one!
Janelle — Who is eating her oatmeal for breakfast as she types this!
Comment by Janelle — January 30, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Wow I have to say a lot of causes are near and dear. Between my husbands family and my own I think we cover the gamet (sp?) Thank you Carly for bringing up the issues as Women’s Heart Disease. I will be wearing what red I can find. Also, not trying to self promote here, but this month (Jan 27- Feb 23rd) I will be donating 10% of my websales to the American Heart Association. Carly’s mention of Tupperware brought it to mind. I am a consultant for them. If anyone is interested the site is http://www.my.tupperware.com/jenmhall
Thanks again about the reminder Carly
Comment by Jen Hall — January 30, 2007 @ 11:40 am
The cause that is near and dear to me heart:love2: is Diabetes.
Type 1 to be exact.
My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 7 years old. :cry: Alison just turned 16 years old in January. She is on an insulin pump.
I thank every day for that pump. Ali has been on pump therapy for just over 4 years compared to 6 shots a day plus, more if you wanted to eat something else the pump is a godsend.
I am a supporter of the American Diabetes Association,
and the Juvenile Diabetes Association.
Plus, I hate to brag but Alison’s endocrinologist is the President of the American Daibetes Association.
I advise anyone with diabetes to join their association. the Monthly magazine Diabetes Forecast is a great tool in helping to manage this lifelong disease.
Plus, you get the support of a great organization.:doggie:
Comment by Gigi — January 30, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Mine is autism because of my oldest son. Do you know that it is the fastest growing childhood disease (yep, beats out cancer, AIDS and all that). One in 166 children have it. The program, “The View” did an excellent entire hour on it yesterday. People think it doesn’t affect them, but most likely, all of you know someone who has it. My mom knows of 6 kids who have it (and that includes my son) and she was only looking at her neighbors and friends’ children. It affects not just the kids, but the WHOLE family as well (you don’t know how many friends/relatives think I am just a ‘bad mom’ because of it). Check out AUTISMSPEAKS.ORG…they are fantastic.
Comment by katie — January 30, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
Katie- when they were diagnosing my daughter’s learning disabilities, many years ago, ok about 10, they diagnosed her as borderline autistic. I never did figure out what they heck they were talking about, becuase everyone concentrated on her severe ADHD and Emotional Disabilities. However, I did make sure that music was one thing that was always played or listened to as much as possible. I had remembered reading somewhere that they found music could help. Now she is in college and going for- guess what- a degree that will help her in the business end of music. Like me, all her musical talent is in her little toe. But she is a damn fine concert photographer and working on her BS.
And yes, I do know how people look at you like you are a “bad mom”. Ignorant schmucks my answer to them is :biteme:.
Comment by ev — January 30, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
Thanks Carly for making everyone aware that Heart Disease is such a problem. My family, mother’s side, has suffered from cancer so I tend to be more concerned & aware of supporting a cancer cause. I’m also very anti-smoking as it is so bad for your health. Recently I had a routine check up at the doctor & he pronounced me very healthy, good cholosteral count, blood pressure, liver, sugar, etc. I was so happy! :love2: Not bad considering I am 66 years old!!
Comment by Donna M — January 30, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
ev: I always look at it…if they are not going to support my child (be accepting of him and our family), then they are not worth spending time with or being a part of my life. I don’t have a lot of time to ‘cultivate’ relationships of people who aren’t going to be accepting of me. That sounds cold, but true.
He used to be into music, but he is totally into computers. He can do stuff on the computer and online that I can’t do. Last year, when he was in kindergarten, he would ‘toggle’ between websites at school (not bad ones!). It freaked out his special ed teacher, just a little (most kids could barely do stuff online, let alone go between sites). He told me a year and a bit ago, “Mom, when I grow up I want to work for John Lassiter (the founder and CEO of PIXAR) at Pixar”. By George, if he could do it probably too!
Comment by katie — January 30, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
Carly, my dad had a massive heart attack and triple bypass in ‘81. I remember what a struggle and long recovery period it was for him. My step-mom just had triple bypass a week ago and she was up and walking the next day, home in 5 days and is doing great! Totally different than it was way back when - thankfully!!
There are so many great causes and I relate to many of them that have been mentioned. Thanks to everyone for doing what you do to make a difference. That’s what makes progress possible and makes things so much better for all us.
Comment by Jodie — January 30, 2007 @ 3:32 pm
Hi, all. Thanks for sharing your causes. I think it is so important to be aware but not overly crazy in living your life!
Comment by Carly — January 30, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
Carly…that’s what I love about this site and the people who visit/post….you are all so wonderful and understanding and accepting!
Comment by katie — January 30, 2007 @ 3:43 pm
Heart and Stroke- Dad had a triple by-pass and within 1 yr. had to have 2 of them redone. At the time they did not know that he had Protein S deficiency:Protein S is an anti-clotting factor in the blood; protein S inhibits this clotting process to prevent excessive clotting. Warfarin needs to be taken or at least in his case. The whole family was tested except Mom; out of 5 children and 5 grandchildren I believe there are only 3 of us who don’t have it. My niece needed to take warfarin during her pregnancy because of having this.
Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Leukemia- Mom had breast cancer, Dad prostate and Leukemia and a number of uncles had Leukemia.
Diabetes- grandpa, great aunt, Dad, sister, aunts
Mom and Dad have passed away and I feel strongly about these causes.
Comment by RobynL — January 30, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
:kiss: Thanks for caring Carly! I will proudly wear red Friday. I love that your children are involved in raising money for such a worthy cause.
In our house we have two causes that we are very passionate about the first is St. Judes Childrens Hospital, my children have always participated in the school annual Mathathon to raise money, and let me tell you both hate math so this is a big deal! lol
The second which is the one I hold closest is Breast Cancer my 46 year old aunt is a survivor and I feel so grateful. So we do our annual walk.
Great topic Carly!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — January 30, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
In 2005 my 52 year old brother died of a massive heart attack. Steve was in awesome health and it came as a huge shock. My mother also passed away at age 70 from a massive hear attack. I am so glad your dad is still with you.Thanks for caring about us and the lecture was interesting .
Sue
Comment by Sue Mont — February 2, 2007 @ 3:35 pm