Red Dress Rally brings attention to the issue of heart disease
Photo by Jim Covington

By Rachel Haynie

The shades of red worn at last week's Red Dress Rally were no more varied than the women and their backgrounds, and the stories that brought them to the State House at noon Feb. 1. Many of the women had become Red Dress Ambassadors after surviving some form of heart disease. Others went to support friends or family members who were survivors. Sister Judith Ann Karam, CSA, president and chief executive officer of Providence, said, "We want women to understand that heart disease is preventable and controllable." First Lady Jenny Sanford read her husband's resolution underscoring the importance and value of fitness in the prevention of heart disease. Lou Nolan, 2007 Red Dress Ambassador, gave a testimonial about her successful heart surgery. As Karam explained, "February is National Heart Month, and we believe the Red Dress Rally is a great way to call attention to the issue of heart disease."