It’s a Red Out.

In honor of National Wear Red Day, HOSA is sponsoring a Red Out Friday, Feb. 5. National Wear Red Day is a campaign by the American Heart Association to bring more awareness about heart disease and heart health.

HOSA is selling red T-shirt for the day for $7. Students interested in purchasing a shirt should buy them from HOSA sponsor Pam Risser in 3018 by Jan. 28. HOSA asks that all students wear red on Feb. 5, including at the varsity boys basketball game that evening at 7 p.m.

“Students should buy the T-shirts because its great because we are raising money for the American Heart Association,” junior Shelby Wilson said.

Leander ISD is also joining in the awareness campaign. They’ve challenged all staff and faculty to wear red on the day. They’ve offered T-shirts for $20 and also given teachers the option to donate $5 to participate in the jeans “buy-out” for February.

This year’s National Wear Red Day, marks the 13-year anniversary.  According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one cause of deaths in America, more than all forms of cancer combined. Throughout the years, the organization has made tremendous strides in improving heart health. They include:

• 91% of women involved in Go Red For Women visited their doctor in the last 12 months (compared to 73% of all U.S. women).
• 64% follow a regular exercise routine.
• 84% have talked to friends about their heart health.
• 90% have had their blood pressure checked in the last year.
• 75% have had their cholesterol checked in the last year.