Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – As a way to show support for women’s heart disease awareness, people across the nation donned red attire on Friday, Feb. 1, in honor of Wear Red Day.
Participants included students, teachers, businesspeople, doctors, nurses and more. In Presque Isle, folks could be seen decked out in a variety of red wear, including: shirts, sweaters, jackets, hats and boas. Students and teachers at Zippel Elementary School in Presque Isle and Easton Elementary School joined their counterparts across the United States in bringing awareness to the number-one killer of women (according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute).
The Aroostook Centre Mall teamed up with The Aroostook Medical Center to host a celebratory event, beginning in the morning and lasting through early afternoon, in honor of women’s heart health awareness. According to a TAMC official, mall employees and community members were encouraged to wear red and educate friends and family on the importance of a heart-healthy lifestyle. Some of the activities that took place at the mall included: laser biathlon demos (provided by Maine Winter Sports Center); fitness demonstrations (provided by UMPI); free CPR classes (provided by TAMC); health screenings (provided by TAMC); entertainment by Fireman Fred, the Pink Ladies and the ‘T’ Birds dancers.
For Patti Crooks, mall manager, seeing red on Friday was a good thing.
“This was our second annual event at the mall. It was a tremendous day – bigger and better than the first,” said Crooks.
Crooks was pleased with the response of shoppers and merchants alike.
“Response to the event was extremely positive – from shoppers to businesses, everyone was very supportive,” she said.
The day wouldn’t have been a success without the cooperation of everyone involved.
“It’s good to be part of a successful partnership. We brought in the American Red Cross, TAMC, ACAP – all partnered to make the day a success,” said Crooks. “It was a great opportunity to spread awareness of a serious health issue but have a bit of fun in the process.”
The red dress is the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. For information on National Wear Red Day and ways to spread awareness of women and heart disease, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/wrd/.
See more Wear Red Day photos on page 14A.
Photo courtesy of TAMC
Free CPR classes were offered at the Aroostook Centre Mall as part of Wear Red Day activities. Pictured, from left: Terri Farley, Gerri Mahaney, Nancy Wyman and Nicole McLaughlin.
Photo courtesy of TAMC
TAMC guest relation services volunteers Alta Weeks, at left, and Phyllis Leavitt, at right, covered the door prize sign-up booth at the mall.
Photo courtesy of TAMC
THE WOMEN AT WILDER’S wore red Feb. 1 in honor of Wear Red Day. Pictured, from left: Nichole Smith, Natasha Ritchie and Marilyn Nadeau.
Photo courtesy of TAMC
TAMC’S Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) Morgan Lunney provided free massages to community members during Wear Red Day activities to spread awareness of women and heart disease.
Contributed photo
NORTHERN MAINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE nursing students and faculty recently wore red to show their support for women’s heart disease awareness. Feb. 1 was a day when Americans nationwide wore red to raise awareness about women’s heart disease. This observance promotes the Red Dress symbol and provides an opportunity for everyone to unite in this life-saving awareness movement by showing off a favorite red dress, shirt, or tie, or Red Dress pin. Participating in the “wear red” campaign were, front row, from left: Trudi Smith of Mars Hill, Tonya DuVal of Caribou, Louise Hamlin of Presque Isle, William Milliard of Fort Fairfield, Nicholas Taxiarchis of Washburn, Heidi Smith of Limestone, Tammy MacDougall of Presque Isle, and Mallory McKeil of Woodstock, New Brunswick. Back row: nursing instructor Paula Flora, Rebecca Palmer-Bugbee of Mapleton, Erik Vaughn of Washburn, Tracy Rossignol of Presque Isle, Jolene Paul of Presque Isle, Andrea Pratt of Chapman, and nursing instructors Eileen McDougal and Kim Esquibel. Absent when the photo was taken was Abby McLaughlin of Presque Isle.
Photo courtesy of TAMC
PICTURED IS A GROUP photo of everyone involved with the Wear Red Day festivities at the Aroostook Centre Mall. The Pink Ladies, ‘T’ Birds, Fireman Fred and TAMC employees are all represented in the picture.
