'Go Red for Women' Dinner, Fashion Show For American Heart Month

BRANFORD, CT — For many years, a local business owner, Sally Attianese, Merle Norman Cosmetics has organized a local Go Red for Women event to help raise awareness about Cardiovascular disease in women. The event, organized by Attianese, Maggie Fitter of the American Heart Association Heart Walk and heart attack survivor, town employee Trista Milici, includes dinner and a Red Dress fashion show at Season’s in East Haven on Friday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m.

Milici suffered a heart attack eight years ago and after a brief recovery period, came back to her post as executive assistant, at that time she'd already been in the role 16 years.

Now, 10 local women impacted by heart disease will model the iconic Red Dress in a fashion show with dresses provided by A’s Unique Boutique of Guilford, who's also donating time and staff to assist with the show, all to show support for American Heart Month.

Many local businesses have showed their support and have donated over 60 raffle prizes. All of the proceeds from the event go to the American Heart Association.

And, in support, town buildings including Town Hall, Board of Education office, the Branford Police and Fire departments and James Blackstone Memorial Library will be lit up in red for the month of February for Heart Disease Awareness Month.

Branford Building Official Anthony Cinicol, donated a four-foot wooden heart that was painted and decorated with 200 lights and placed on the Town Green.

And, several town agencies and departments are participating in a Paper Hearts Campaign where paper hearts are sold for $1 each, again to raise money for the American Heart Association.

Organizers are also encouraging merchants and businesses to join us by creating Go Red-themed window display.

The'Go Red For Women' dinner and fashion show is Feb. 7 at Seasons, 990 Foxon Road, East Haven. Beginning at 6 p.m., tickets are $38 per person and includes a full buffet dinner, water, coffee, tea, and dessert. A cash bar is available for drinks and other beverages. Raffle prizes with tickets cash-only. Tables of 10 o be reserved for groups in advance.

Purchase tickets at Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio, in person, by phone at 203-481-9770 or via email to sallyanninc@gmail.com. Get tickets and other information by contacting Trista Milici at 203-315-0620 or via email at tmilici@branford-ct.gov.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year. That’s approximately one mother, one sister or one friend every minute.

The American Heart Association is fighting this statistic by funding critical research and raising awareness in communities like ours. February is Heart Disease Awareness month. Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association's national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. Click here for more information.