Diet Coke®, Capitol Hill, D.C. Media and Washington Area Sports Teams Come Together to "Flag" Heart Disease for Local Women & Their Families

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Diet Coke kicked it old school and hosted a "Capture the Flag" tournament to raise awareness and funds for heart health programs in Washington, D.C.  Participants from Capitol Hill and local D.C. media outlets competed in the tournament to win $20,000 in donations to local heart health organizations.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110215/DC48570-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110215/DC48570-b)  

The CQ Roll Call team was victorious in the tournament and Diet Coke presented a $10,000 check to The Links Incorporated, the organization the team represented on the court. A donation of $7,500 will be shared by MedStar Women's Heart Program and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). The organizations were represented well by the Capitol Hill team. The National Journal team even helped the Association of Black Cardiologists walk away with $2,500.

The Heart Truth^®, a national awareness campaign sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is embraced by millions of people who share the goal of better heart health for all women.  For the fourth year in a row, Diet Coke is supporting the campaign and using its cans and bottles, advertising and digital assets to reach people to raise awareness and funding for heart health programs across the country. 

"We all know a woman who may be at risk for cardiovascular disease—a mom, a sister, a friend—that's why I'm joining Diet Coke in its continuing commitment to The Heart Truth^® to raise awareness about the importance of heart health," said Alana Beard of the Washington Mystics.  "Plus, the game was a fun way to get hearts pumping while we helped raise funds for local heart health programs."

The Heart Truth^® campaign has made great strides in raising awareness, but heart disease is still the number one killer among women.   More people are becoming aware of the disease and its risk factors, but it remains a fact that more women die of heart disease than all cancers combined.  There is still more work to do, so together, Diet Coke and The Heart Truth^®  campaign hope to continue generating awareness and motivating women to take action for heart health.

"At the Coca-Cola Company, our operating philosophy is to Live Positively, and The Heart Truth^® campaign very much embodies that idea.  We are dedicated to encouraging new generations of people to be active, stay extraordinary and become advocates for heart health," said Curtis L. Etherly, Jr., Mid-Atlantic Region, The Coca-Cola Company.

Those who couldn't make it to the game can play "Capture the Flag" online throughout the month of February, which is American Heart Month.  Simply visit DietCoke.com/HeartTruth and capture a flag.  Each flag captured triggers a donation, with Diet Coke contributing up to $100,000 to heart health programs.  This initiative is part of the continuing commitment of Diet Coke to women's heart health programs.  For the second year in a row, Diet Coke cans and bottles have a new look throughout the month of February. The limited-edition packaging includes a stick figure carrying a heart flag, communicating how Diet Coke is supporting The Heart Truth^®.  In addition to the limited-edition cans and bottles, more than six billion packages of Diet Coke carry The Heart Truth ^® logo to raise awareness of women's heart health year-round. 

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio features 14 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About The Heart Truth^® Campaign

The Heart Truth^® is a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through the campaign, NHLBI leads the nation in a landmark heart health awareness movement that is being embraced by millions who share the common goal of better heart health for all women.

The centerpiece of The Heart Truth^® is the Red Dress, which was introduced as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 by NHLBI. The Red Dress^® reminds women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action. For more information, visit www.hearttruth.gov.

SOURCE The Coca-Cola Company