Mayor Steve Benjamin, City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, City Manager Teresa Wilson and The City of Columbia Celebrate American Heart Month

COLUMBIA, S.C., Feb. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Columbia hosted a community Go Red Day event today, Friday, Feb. 7 to recognize the American Heart Association's American Heart Month and Go Red For Women Movement. The city officially proclaimed the day as Go Red Day in the City of Columbia and a proclamation was presented to local representatives of the American Heart Association.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140207/PH61566-a)
(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140207/PH61566-b)

The Go Red Day event included a press conference, at which Mayor Steve Benjamin, City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine and City Manager Teresa Wilson spoke, as well as Valerie Bridges, Senior Director of Development for the American Heart Association of the Midlands, City Council Members Sam Davis, Leona Plaugh and Moe Baddourah also attended. All in attendance wore wear red for the community photography session that was held.

Almost 200 local citizens and business leaders joined City Council this morning for the City of Columbia's annual Go Red Day press conference and community photo session.  This is the fourth year that the City has recognized Go Red Day and the attendance and exposure continues to increase annually. "Today marked a very special occasion at City Hall and truly demonstrated our community's unified effort to increase awareness of heart disease in the City of Columbia. I am overjoyed and very appreciative by the overwhelming turnout for our education campaign focused on heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in this country and we must do more locally to inform women, men and youth about the risks and help provide opportunities for wellness initiatives in our community," Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine stated.  Devine, who spearheaded Columbia's Go Red Day initiative, also announced new projects that will occur this month to highlight American Heart Month.

In honor of Go Red Day and American Heart Month, City Hall will "go red" all month long. City Hall will be illuminated at night with a warm red glow to remind citizens about the impact of heart disease in the community. Red wreaths that include the official "red dress" logo of the national Go Red campaign will also adorn City Hall.

The City of Columbia is also proud to announce that the 1st Love Our Hearts Walk will take place on Valentine's Day next Friday, February 14, 2014 at 12 p.m. The walk will begin and end at City Hall, and the staging area will be located in the 1800 block of Main Street (corner of Main and Laurel Streets).  This walk will be another major step towards increasing awareness of heart disease in the City of Columbia and throughout the Midlands.

The City of Columbia will also develop a walking team to participate in the American Heart Association's Heart Walk, which is scheduled for March 22, 2014.  All citizens are encouraged to sign up and join the Heart of the City Walkers.  Details regarding registration for the team will be announced later this month.

The Go Red For Women Movement helps to honor and support women affected by heart disease, currently the number one killer of women. The movement encourages awareness of this issue and action to help save lives.

For more information, please visit http://www.columbiasc.net/.

Media contact:
Leshia Utsey at 803-545-3020 or email (City of Columbia)
Candace Sandy at 646.298.5506 or email (Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine)

For more news on the City of Columbia.

SOURCE City of Columbia