Buffalo Niagara companies join together in fight against heart disease on Wear Red Day

The Buffalo/Niagara Region will "Go Red" Friday, as part of the National Wear Red Day celebration, and throughout Heart Month to benefit the American Heart Association.

Hundreds of local businesses, community groups, hospitals, towns and schools signed up to help raise awareness and funds to fight cardiovascular disease, including lighting local buildings and parks red

The following is a schedule of "Go Red" supporters and events:

•Thursday, Feb. 5: "Hearts for Heart" fundraiser at the First Niagara Center (Buffalo Sabres vs. St. Louis Blues game)

• The "Hearts for Heart" sale supports the fight against heart disease in commemoration of a loved one or a friend. Red paper hearts will be sold for $2, or, for $5, the purchaser will have a chance to win a signed Buffalo Sabres hockey stick from Zemgus Girgensons, who recently played in the 2014-15 NHL All-Star Game.

•Friday, Feb. 6: City of Buffalo proclamation; buildings and parks "Glow Red

• The City of Buffalo National Wear Red Day proclamation, county executive office, Rath Building, 95 Franklin St., 2 p.m.

• The Peace Bridge will go red at dusk

• Going red: The Giacomo Hotel, the Buffalo Convention Center, the Electric Tower and the Phillips Lytle Building

•Thursday, Feb. 12: Go Red For Women Reception and Fashion Show

• Go Red For Women "An Evening in Red" reception and fashion show featuring the Go Red For Women Red Dress Collection Fashion Show from New York Fashion Week (live streaming) 6-9 p.m. at Kleinhans, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo. Visit www.GoRedBuffalo.heart.org.

• The Peace Bridge will go red at dusk
• The Phillips Lytle Building will go red at dusk
• Niagara Falls goes red at 10 p.m.

•Glowing red throughout the month of February:

• The Buffalo Convention Center, The Giacomo Hotel, The Phillips Lytle Building (except during Sabres games and President's Day)

Thousands of companies and organizations nationwide encourage their employees to wear red and donate $5 to the Go Red For Women movement and receive a red dress pin.

Funds raised through Wear Red Day help support the life-saving initiatives of the American Heart Association - awareness campaigns, prevention and education programs and cutting-edge scientific research. In Buffalo, the American Heart Association currently funds more than $1.9 million in research related to cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

"For 11 years, women have been fighting heart disease individually and together as part of the Go Red For Women movement. Heart disease is still women's No. 1 killer, affecting more women than men and more deadly than all forms of cancer combined," said Liz Zulawski, executive director of the Buffalo/Niagara American Heart Association.

Go Red For Women invites women to speak up and take charge of their heart health through simple lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating healthier, exercising more and maintaining a healthy weight. Women can find health tips at www.GoRedForWomen.org, including online tools and health assessments such as "My Life Check."