September 18, 2007

Indiana's first lady to visit Purdue to speak about heart disease

The Heart to Heart program, which encourages Indiana women to lead heart-healthy lifestyles, will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Stewart Center's Loeb Playhouse. The event is free and open to the public.

To support healthy, productive Indiana residents, Daniels and the State Department of Health Office of Women's Health have teamed up to focus on the issue of women's heart disease. The Panhellenic Association and Alpha Phi are co-sponsoring the educational program at Purdue.

"Heart disease is the No. 1 killer in the nation, more than all the cancers combined," said Molly Durr, Panhellenic Association director of public relations. "Each year around 40,000 women will die from heart disease. Many women don't realize how serious the threat is, but there are simple lifestyle changes they can make to lower their risk of the disease."

The program will include information about leading a heart healthy life from a nurse practitioner, as well as a section highlighting campus and community programs and resources designed to help people live healthier lives.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m., free heart health screenings, including cholesterol and blood pressure, will be offered. Alpha Phi sorority, which has chosen cardiac care as their national philanthropy, also will distribute educational materials about women's health issues before and after the program.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Molly Durr, Panhellenic Assoiciation director of public relations, (630) 544-8506, mpdurr@purdue.edu

Diane Blackwelder, Panhellenic Association adviser, (765) 496-2346, dianeb@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: Journalists interested in interviewing first lady Cheri Daniels should contact Molly Durr, Panhellenic Association director of public relations, (630) 544-8506, mpdurr@purdue.edu

To the News Service home page