As a local citizen and Mineola resident, I'm writing to ask all women, area residents, local businesses, schools and legislators to "go red" and wear something red on Feb. 4, which is the American Heart Association's second annual National Wear Red Day for Women. Heart disease is the number one killer of women.

We all have women in our lives we care about, our mothers and grandmothers, daughters and sisters, neighbors and friends. The American Heart Association says that cardiovascular diseases kill almost 500,000 females every year and that every year since 1984 more women than men have died annually from cardiovascular disease.

I have a female friend who had two strokes in her 30s. I have other female friends who had either a heart attack, heart surgery or some other heart procedure while in their 30s and 40s. The American Heart Association is asking people from across Long Island to help Paint Long Island Red! by going red and wearing red on Friday, Feb. 4 to bring attention to the number one health threat facing women today: cardiovascular disease.

National Wear Red Day for Women supports American Heart Association Go Red for Women, a national movement that asks women to take charge of their cardiovascular health, make it a top priority and live a stronger, longer life. On Friday, Feb. 4, wear something red that day, such as a red shirt or tie, a red dress, vest or scarf, a red jacket or hat, or something else red. Have your family, business or local school go red with red balloons, banners, streamers or red lights. Help Paint Long Island Red!

You can learn more about the American Heart Association Go Red for Women movement and National Wear Red Day for Women by calling your local American Heart Association office or by calling 1-888-MY-HEART.

Patricia E. Santosus