ECC raises awareness of womens' heart health

As part of Elgin Community College's celebration of Women's History Month, the college will partner with the American Heart Association to raise awareness about heart disease during "American Heart Association Go Red For Women."

The two-day event that will be held March 19-20 at the main campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. All events are free and open to the public.

Go Red For Women is the association's nationwide movement that celebrates awareness and efforts to wipe out heart disease - the number one killer of women.

From 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., a registration drive for Go Red for Women will be held in the Student Resource Center Jobe Lounge. Information from the American Heart Association will be available during the drive.

Also on March 19, the Renner Learning Resources Center will host the "Faces of Heart Disease" exhibit in the library. The exhibit is a collection of posters that feature area women heart disease survivors and their stories.

On March 20, a Go Red For Women breakfast will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. in the SRC Alumni Room. Visitors will enjoy a healthy breakfast and get heart screenings by Elgin's Sherman Hospital, the breakfast's sponsor, and two student clubs - the Associated Nursing Students and Health Occupational Students of America. A Sherman Health physician also will offer a presentation at 8:30 a.m.

In addition to the breakfast, ECC students, staff and others are encouraged to show their support for heart disease prevention by wearing red on this day.

Since 2004, Go Red For Women works collectively to wipe out heart disease, engaging women and men along with healthcare providers, celebrities and politicians to elevate the cause and spread the word. For more information about Go Red For Women, call (888) MY-HEART or (888)694-3278 or visit GoRedForWomen.org.

Women's History Month will conclude on Monday, March 31 with "Learning is a Lifelong Journey." The presentation, held from noon to 1 p.m. in the SRC Alumni Room, features several ECC mid-career achievers who will share the joys and concerns of going back to school as seasoned professionals.

Women's History Month is sponsored by the Women's History Month Committee and African-American Subcommittee, the Student Life Office and American Association of University Women. For information, contact the Student Life Office at (847) 214-7370.