Fazoli’s Invites You to Join In the Fight Against Women’s Heart Disease

Lexington, Ky. - WomenHeart Partnership Offers Consumers Heart Health Information and Opportunity to Support a Cause Close to the Heart

In a nation all too aware of its obesity problem, January is a prime month for Americans to resolve to lose weight. However, obesity is also a leading contributor to potentially fatal diseases. Women are often aware of the risks for their husbands, fathers and sons, but ironically, are far less knowledgeable about their health risks.

Fazoli’s, a fast, family-friendly Italian restaurant with 376 restaurants in 32 states, is partnering with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease (http://www.womenheart.org), through March 27. Their goal is to educate women about where they can find support, information and resources on cardiovascular disease, and to raise money to support WomenHeart’s educational programs.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), heart disease is the number #1 killer of women in America, with nearly twice as many women in the United States dying of heart disease as from all forms of cancer. With more than 8,000,000 American women currently living with heart disease, this shocking statistic is clearly a wake-up call.

“We are very excited to be joining forces with Fazoli’s to help women take charge of their heart health,” said Nancy Loving, executive director of WomenHeart. “It’s great to resolve to lose weight or improve your general fitness after the holidays, but American women need to know there is more to motivate them than a smaller dress size. Eating right can significantly improve women’s heart health. Fazoli’s is a great fit for our organization because the restaurant appeals to a wide spectrum of people, but especially to women age 25 to 55 - an audience that needs to know about a woman’s risk for heart disease now,” Loving said.

“When Fazoli’s asked for my advice about what the company could do to raise awareness about women and heart disease, I recommended WomenHeart,” said Elizabeth Somer, national nutrition expert and author, as well as Fazoli’s spokesperson and nutritional consultant. “I’ve worked with WomenHeart and have had the pleasure of speaking to women living with heart disease. I believe the cause is an important one and that WomenHeart’s efforts deserve Fazoli’s support.”

Join the Fight at a Fazoli’s Near You

Fazoli’s has designed a vivid, 32-ounce collector’s cup highlighting women’s heart disease. The idea is to encourage women to take heart health messages out of the restaurants and into their communities.

In addition to highlighting WomenHeart, the cup features information on lycopene, a chemical compound found in cooked tomatoes that medical research suggests may lower the risk of heart disease and many forms of cancer.

Materials distributed within the restaurants will encourage customers to consider one of Fazoli’s Smart Italian Choices items, all of which have eight grams of fat or less. In addition to a $25,000 gift from Fazoli’s, a portion of the Smart Italian Choices menu sales will be donated to WomenHeart.

Customers at participating Fazoli’s can also add $1 to their purchase by purchasing a custom design ‘Tomato Heart’, personalizing it with their name and hanging it in the restaurant. Fazoli’s will donate 100% of the proceeds from these purchases to WomenHeart.

Fazoli’s will distribute free copies of a nutritional brochure developed in conjunction with Elizabeth Somer throughout February, American Heart Month. Somer, known best from her books and frequent appearances on “The Today Show,” has personally endorsed Fazoli’s Smart Italian Choices menu options - including the newest entree, Penne Marinara, as well as several other options such as Ravioli Marinara, Baked Chicken Parmesan, Peppery Chicken Alfredo, Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli and Tomatoes, and Chicken Caesar Salad with fat-free Dressing.

About WomenHeart

WomenHeart: the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation’s only patient advocacy organization representing the 8,000,000 American women living with heart disease. It aims to improve their quality of life and healthcare through support, education and advocacy. Founded in 1998, it is a non-profit public charity headquartered in Washington, DC.

About the Red Dress

To make women more aware of the danger of heart disease, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and partner organizations such as WomenHeart are sponsoring a national campaign called The Heart Truth. The campaign’s goal is to give women a personal and urgent wake-up call about their risk of heart disease. The centerpiece of The Heart Truth is the Red Dress, the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness. First introduced in February 2003 in partnership with America’s fashion industry, the Red Dress is a red alert that Heart Disease Doesn’t Care What You Wear—It’s the #1 Killer of Women.

Data That May Just Get Your Heart Racing

Click here for Facts About Women And Heart Disease

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