My Heart is Red

Tomorrow is an important day. It is the National Wear Red Day.

Everyone will be searching their closets for that perfect red item to show their support for the fight against cardiovascular disease in women. It’s a valuable message that was slow to take hold. Most women didn’t realize their risk was greater for heart disease than breast cancer.

This was true for my mom. My angel mother had diabetes and she smoked. She cared for us, but didn’t care for herself. With these risk factors, it was only time before she had heart disease. It started with high blood pressure and continued until she had open heart surgery.

Of course, we didn’t know the things we know now back in 1994. That’s when she had her surgery. And, that’s when I lost her. She was only 62 years old.
Science has evolved. We know so much more now. For instance, I inherited some of my parents’ bad genes. But, I take my medication, I don’t smoke and try to do the right things.

Wear Red Day is a fun way to show your support, but it isn’t about one day. Every day should be Wear Red Day as we all do the things necessary to live longer, healthier lives.

I know I can’t bring my mom back. What I can do is be healthy myself and encourage those I care most about to do the same. Learn about your risk factors and do something about them. And, wear your red. I’ll have mine on to honor my mother, Dorothy Foley!

Love you mom!

-Bill