WASHINGTON, DC – Those passing by the historic Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) National Headquarters building at night may notice a change from the typical bright, white glow of the grand marble building. During February, the DAR complex of buildings, which encompass an entire city block near the White House, will be illuminated red to help raise awareness about heart disease during National Heart Month. The DAR will be supporting the American Heart Association’s national Go Red For Women movement to make women aware of their risk for heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death among women, and take action to reduce their risk. In addition to lighting red the DAR Headquarters building, DAR employees and members will join with thousands of women, organizations and cities across America by wearing red on National Wear Red Day, Friday, February 1, 2008.



Since Go Red For Women launched in 2004, cities have illuminated buildings and landmarks red, including the Empire State Building, Niagara Falls, Graceland, the Seattle Space Needle and more, during National Heart Month. The American Heart Association chose DAR Headquarters to “Go Red” because of the prominence of both the Daughters of the American Revolution and its historic building complex.



“We are proud that the Daughters of the American Revolution can show our support of the Go Red For Women movement,” said DAR President General, Linda Gist Calvin. “We encourage the 165,000 members of our organization, as well as all Americans, to join in the fight against heart disease and learn more about taking the steps necessary to live longer, healthier lives.”



As a volunteer women’s service organization, the DAR is committed to raising awareness of women’s health issues in addition to its primary objectives of historic preservation, education and patriotism. The DAR Headquarters complex includes the 100+-year-old Memorial Continental Hall, housing a museum and library, and the well-known concert venue Constitution Hall, both of which are National Historic Registered Landmarks. Located at 1776 D Street NW, Washington, D.C., DAR Headquarters is open to the public and will have available free informational material, tips and tools on heart disease prevention provided by the American Heart Association.



Too few people realize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women – and of men. The good news is that heart disease is largely preventable. Go Red For Women is the nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power necessary to wipe out heart disease. Thanks to participation of millions of people across the country, the color red and the red dress have become linked with creating awareness of heart disease in women.



For more information and to join the Go Red For Women movement, register for free online at www.goredforwomen.org and take the Go Red Heart CheckUp, which will give you a 10-year heart-health assessment with an action plan specifically tailored to lower your risk.

About DAR

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children.  Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. Encompassing an entire downtown city block, DAR National Headquarters houses one of the nation’s premier genealogical libraries, one of the foremost collections of pre-industrial American decorative arts, Washington, D.C.’s largest concert hall, and an extensive collection of early American manuscripts and imprints. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.dar.org.



About Go Red For Women

Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe our heart disease—the No. 1 killer of women. Today we want millions of women across American to take heart disease personally. Using the simple platform “Love Your Heart,” Go Red For Women engages these women—and the men who love them—to embrace the cause. Healthcare providers, celebrities, and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease. For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit goredforwomen.org. The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck & Co., Inc.



About National Wear Red Day

The first Friday in February is designated as National Wear Red Day. The American Heart Association shares ownership of National Wear Red Day with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Go Red and Go Red For Women are trademarks of AHA. The red dress design is a trademark U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.