For Cheryl

I didn't know about it until I was in the car on my way to work - but today is National Wear Red Day.

I'm amazed how much heart disease affects women in the United States. I guess I should have known because we are getting heavier and lazier (I'm the poster child for that, sheesh). Honestly, I didn't think of it much until a couple weeks ago when my former co-worker, Cheryl, died. Cheryl's family had heart disease running rampant through it. She assumed that she was "destined to die" from it because the majority of her predecessors did. She had angioplasty in 2003 and congestive heart failure ran its course in January 2007.

My mom's side of the family has been ridiculously stricken by cancer. Thinking about heart disease has made me realize that there are simple things many of us can do every day to lead healthier lives. I may not be able to complete stave off genetics, but I can try.

Think about those you've loved and lost to heart disease. Now think about those you love who've had loved ones they've lost to heart disease. The website has many ways to get involved. Some of them are minimally invasive. Most of all, today, take a minute for yourself.