Nation's Heart Health to be Helped by Salsa, Jazz, Hip-Hop in February 'Day of Dance'

Nation's Heart Health to be Helped by Salsa, Jazz, Hip-Hop in February 'Day of Dance'

Spirit of Women Hospital Network Brings Together Debbie Allen, Patrick Swayze, NHLBI, Kimberly-Clark and Others for Simultaneous Events in 30+ US Cities

CLEVELAND, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit of Women Hospital Network announces that more than 30 cities will host the 2006 Spirit of Women National Day of Dance on February 25, 2006 to inspire women toward better heart health. Proving that exercise can be both fun and beneficial to the heart, the program combines the fun of dancing to different forms of music, such as ballroom dancing, rock 'n' roll, jazz, salsa, swing, and hip-hop, with health screenings and consumer education on heart disease and other women's health issues.

"Ever since I was a little girl, I danced to feel better," said Debbie Allen, well-known performer and a member of the board of the Day of Dance. "Now science tells me that I can live longer because I am dancing my way to a healthier heart. Join me. Dance on February 25 as thousands of Americans celebrate Spirit of Women's Day of Dance for Heart Health."

In line with the goals of The Heart Truth, a national awareness campaign on women and heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the message behind Day of Dance is unique: Being heart healthy is about being happier and having more fun. Corporate partners such as Poise(R), a brand of Kimberly-Clark Corporation are embracing this innovative approach to health that emphasizes celebration rather than fear.

Several celebrities have also joined the effort to encourage women to dance their way to heart health. Day of Dance celebrity board members include:

* Patrick Swayze - actor/dancer/choreographer
* Christina Applegate - actor/dancer
* Debbie Allen - dancer/choreographer
* Jillian Michaels - fitness personality

Day of Dance events will take place in more than 30 cities across the United States, presented by affiliate hospitals of the Spirit of Women Hospital Network. Lasting from four to six hours, the events will include dancing, prominent physician speakers, screenings, tips on healthy cooking and stress reduction, and other activities to remind participants that heart disease prevention can be a fun and energizing experience.

Nearly 500,000 women die each year of cardiovascular disease, making it the #1 killer of American women. Heart disease kills six times more women than breast cancer. In the fight against heart disease, consumers need to understand risk factors that place women at greater risk for developing heart disease, such as high cholesterol. For example, it is important to know that while diet (food) can contribute significantly to elevated cholesterol, the body's natural chemistry can often produce dangerously high levels of LDL ('bad") cholesterol based on heredity (family) alone. Day of Dance has partnered with http://www.2sourcesofcholesterol.com/ as an online resource to help inform women and their families about cholesterol.

"Heart disease is a serious threat, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun trying to prevent it," said Tanya Abreu, president and national program director of Spirit of Women. "Day of Dance helps to reinforce community awareness of the dangers of heart disease for women and provides educational resources about cardiovascular health and risk factors like cholesterol. The goal is to educate women about healthy choices they can easily incorporate into their lifestyles, as well as warning signs."

Dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking, and riding a bike (as many as 200-400 calories per hour). Dancing regularly has many other benefits as well, including leading to a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and an improved cholesterol profile. Side-to-side movements of many dances strengthen weight-bearing bones and can prevent or slow the loss of bone mass.

The recommended registration fee for Day of Dance is $10, with all monies raised going to the local communities to support women's cardiovascular outreach and education.

The 2006 National Day of Dance for Heart Health is presented by the Spirit of Women Hospital Network, The Heart Truth campaign, Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Good Housekeeping magazine, and 2sourcesofcholesterol.com.

The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign on women and 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 (DHHS). The Heart Truth introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2003.

Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and Schering-Plough Corporation formed to develop and market in the U.S. new prescription medicines in cholesterol management. The collaboration has been expanded to include many worldwide markets (excluding Japan).

Kimberly-Clark Corporation and its well-know brands, including Poise(R), are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people -- nearly a quarter of the world's population -- trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene, and well-being.

Good Housekeeping magazine -- together with the Good Housekeeping Institute and the Good Housekeeping Seal -- has become synonymous with the gold standard of quality and integrity. Good Housekeeping was founded in 1885, and maintains a commitment to the modern home and to a woman's quality of life. It publishes 15 editions worldwide, and is an internationally recognized brand that sets the standard to which all other women's service magazines aspire.

About Spirit of Women

The Spirit of Women Hospital Network unites the individual efforts of hospitals throughout the United States to educate and care for women in a unique way that emphasizes total well-being -- body, mind, and spirit. It addresses issues of family, health, and work though a variety of means, including educational events, networking opportunities, consumer loyalty programs, national awards, and promotion of research. Spirit of Women hospitals and health systems share a common goal to advance women's wellness in their own communities while building a reputation for regional leadership in women's health services. The Spirit of Women national office is in Cleveland; more information is available at http://www.spiritofwomen.com/. More information on National Day of Dance can be found at http://www.dayofdance.org/.

Source: Spirit of Women

CONTACT: Tara DiMilia, +1-908-369-7168, or Jennifer Turner of Wolf,
Kasteler, Van Iden & Associates, +1-310-205-0618, both for Spirit of Women

Web site: http://www.spiritofwomen.com/
http://www.dayofdance.org/
http://www.2sourcesofcholesterol.com/

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