The American Heart Association Go Red For Women™ Red Dress Collection 2017 Fashion Show Presented By Macy's Merges Entertainment, Media And Fashion As Celebrities Raise Awareness Of Heart Disease And Stroke In Women

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association announced today that the Go Red For Women™ Red Dress Collection 2017 presented by Macy's will return to New York Fashion Week at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Thursday, February 9, 2017. The fashion show is slated to feature 19 celebrities in gowns by top fashion designers. Founded by NHLBI's The Heart Truth®, the event reminds women of the need to protect their heart health. The show begins at 8 p.m. ET, along with a Facebook Live on Go Red For Women's Facebook page.

Walking in this year's Go Red For Women's Red Dress Collection presented by Macy's are: Adrienne Bailon (co-host, The Real); Bonnie Somerville (Code Black); CCH Pounder (NCIS: New Orleans, Sons of Anarchy); Diane Guerrero (Orange is the New Black, Jane the Virgin); Jazz Jennings (activist/I am Jazz); Jeannie Mai (co-host, The Real); Jessie James Decker (singer/designer/reality star); Juliette Lewis (Secrets and Lies); Lauren Holly (Motive); Laurie Hernandez (Olympic Gymnast); Lea Thompson (Switched at Birth, Back to the Future); Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black); Lucy Lawless (Zena: Warrior Princess, Parks & Recreation); Lynn Whitfield (Greenleaf); Maureen McCormick (Dancing with the Stars); Peyton List (Jessie); Rachel Platten (singer); Stephanie March (Law & Order SVU); and Veronica Webb (model).

This year, for the first time ever, heart disease survivors will be walking alongside the celebrities. Last year, Macy's took its commitment to women's health to the next level by holding a nationwide employee associate casting call to identify five associates from Macy's stores who've been personally impacted by heart disease. Odilia Cristabel Flores from New York City, a Senior Manager in Macy's Social Compliance Department, and AHA Real Woman Nicole Hardy from Scarborough, Maine will be hitting the runway to raise awareness for a cause they know all too well.

"We are grateful to all of the celebrities and survivors walking in this year's Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection for inspiring women world-wide to prioritize their heart health and make 'Know Your Numbers' actionable," said Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer, American Heart Association. "The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement is honored to be a part of New York Fashion Week with Macy's, to shine a bright light on women's heart disease, both on and off the runway."

Cardiovascular diseases cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. However, 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action. The most important action: know your numbers. Knowing the most critical numbers for your heart health including Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Blood Sugar, and Body Mass Index (BMI) could save your life. Go Red For Women and Macy's are encouraging all women to learn their personal health numbers. Your heart might depend on it.

Macy's, the founding national sponsor of Go Red For Women, is the presenting sponsor of the annual Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection. To date, Macy's has raised more than $60 million through the generosity and commitment of Macy's associates and customers, which has helped to directly fund women's heart health research and education.

"The Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection is more than a runway show, but a truly unique event that has inspired millions to support the cause," said Holly Thomas, group vice president of cause marketing at Macy's. "This year, it gets even more personal when one of our own Macy's executives affected by heart disease is featured on the catwalk, plus three celebrities will be wearing the designs of our emerging Fashion Incubator designers from Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C."

The Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection 2017 presented by Macy's features three looks from designers in the not-for-profit, independently-run Fashion Incubator Programs housed at Macy's: Masha Titievsky from the Chicago Fashion Incubator, Bethany Meuleners from Fashion Incubator San Francisco, and Amanda Casarez from the  D.C. Fashion Incubator. Wearing these designs will be Lorraine Toussaint in VARYFORM by Masha Titievsky, CCH Pounder in Bethany Meuleners, and Veronica Webb in Amanda Casarez.

The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women and Red Dress Collection 2017 presented by Macy's is nationally sponsored by Macy's. Go Red is a trademark of the American Heart Association, the Red Dress is a trademark of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

ABOUT RED DRESS COLLECTION
The Red Dress Collection was founded in February 2003 and is a fashion show now produced by the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement and features couture red dresses from the industry's elite designers worn by top celebrities in entertainment, media, and fashion. The fashion show aims to drive significant awareness and action—in an expected place like New York Fashion Week--for one of the greatest health threats facing women today: heart disease. The Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection is presented by Macy's, the movement's national sponsor.

ABOUT GO RED FOR WOMEN
Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women because it's not just a man's disease. In fact, more women than men die every year from heart disease and stroke. The good news is that 80 percent of cardiac events can be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. Go Red For Women advocates for more research and swifter action for women's heart health. The American Heart Association's Go Red For Women movement is nationally sponsored by Macy's, with additional support from our cause supporters. For more information, please visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278).

ABOUT AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT MACY'S
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc. M, delivers fashion and affordable luxury to customers at approximately 734 locations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, as well as to customers in the U.S. and more than 100 international destinations through its leading online store at macys.com. Via its stores, e-commerce site, mobile and social platforms, Macy's offers distinctive assortments including the most desired family of exclusive and fashion brands for him, her and home. Macy's is known for such epic events as Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Macy's flagship stores -- including Herald Square in New York City, Union Square in San Francisco, State Street in Chicago, and Dadeland in Miami and South Coast Plaza in southern California -- are known internationally and are leading destinations for visitors. Building on a more than 150-year tradition, and with the collective support of customers and employees, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities giving more than $69 million each year to help make a difference in the lives of our customers.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-american-heart-association-go-red-for-women-red-dress-collection-2017-fashion-show-presented-by-macys-merges-entertainment-media-and-fashion-as-celebrities-raise-awareness-of-heart-disease-and-stroke-in-women-300399760.html

SOURCE American Heart Association