WomenHeart Kicks Off Third Cheerios(R) 'Circle of Helping Hearts' Tour Providing Free Cholesterol Screenings for Women

WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is proud to partner with General Mills to bring the Cheerios^® Circle of Helping Hearts^® Tour to Southern California for its third year.  Free cholesterol screenings will be conducted March 21-March 28 at various retail and community service based locations in Southern California.  The screening bus, wrapped with Cheerios^® signage, is provided by GlaxoSmithKline.  WomenHeart Champions, all volunteers and women heart disease survivors, provide educational information and a forum for discussion with women at all screening sites.  

Heart disease is the number one killer of women – claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined.  High cholesterol is a leading indicator of heart disease, but knowing if you have high cholesterol will help you make dietary and other changes needed to lead a heart healthy lifestyle.  

"As many of us are learning, heart disease is a major threat to the lives of women in our communities," said Jeff Hingher of General Mills.  "The whole grain oats in Cheerios can help reduce high cholesterol, one of the leading indicators of heart disease.  It was a natural fit to partner with WomenHeart and we are honored to bring these valuable tests to communities where it is needed most," Hingher continued.

"Getting these key health screenings is a great first step for women in combating the risk factors for heart disease," said Lisa M. Tate, Chief Executive Officer of WomenHeart.  "The Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts^® Tour provides women the opportunity to learn if they are at risk for heart disease and take an active role in their heart health.  We are very grateful to General Mills for their continued support of this initiative," Tate continued.

The tours and free cholesterol screenings are made possible by General Mills Corporation through funds raised from an on-box promotion for WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.  WomenHeart is the only national organization dedicated to promoting women's heart health through advocacy, community education and patient support.  As the leading voice for the 42 million American women living with or at risk of heart disease, WomenHeart advocates for equal access to quality care and champions prevention, early detection, accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of women's heart disease.

Free screenings for women to include:

• Cholesterol (Total HDL/LDL/Triglycerides)
• Blood Pressure
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Glucose

The free screening events will take place at the following locations:

• March 21: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Vallarta Supermarket – 5951 East Niles Ave., Bakersfield, CA
• March 22:   8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Noble Elementary – 8329 Noble Ave., North Hills, CA
• March 23:   2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Northgate Market – 16259 Paramount Blvd., Paramount, CA
• March 24:   1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. – El Centro Del Pueblo – 1157 Lemoyne St., Los Angeles, CA
• March 25: 12:00 noon – 5:00 p.m. – East Los Angeles Women's Center – 1255 S. Atlantic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
• March 26:   2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Jons Marketplace – 15300 Goldenwest St., Westminster, CA
• March 27: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – El Super – 3700 W McFadden Ave., Santa Ana, CA
• March 28: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Vons – 3461 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA

Interview/Photo Opportunity:

• Local WomenHeart Champions , all women living with heart disease
• Local men/women who will benefit from this program
• Local program sponsors and retailers

About WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation's only patient advocacy organization serving the 42 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease – the number one killer of women. WomenHeart is solely devoted to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education, and the nation's only patient support network for women living with heart disease. WomenHeart is both a coalition and a community of thousands of members nationwide, including women heart patients and their families, physicians, and health advocates, all committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives. For more information and to get a free heart health action kit, visit www.womenheart.org/kit.  

SOURCE WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease