For women who want to dress up, donate to a good cause and have a great time out the Heart’s Desire Ladies’ Fundraising Gala is on its way.

The third annual event is presented by ATB Financial on May 10th at 7 p.m. and is celebrated as being Central Alberta’s only ‘red dress event’.

“Red Dress is the Heart Truth campaign which is the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s education campaign for women about heart disease and stroke,” said event spokesperson Karen Jackman.

Jackman said the education campaign is one of the most important things that the Heart and Stroke Foundation does because of the lack of knowledge surrounding how deadly heart disease and stroke can be.

“It is the number one killer now in women which is more than any cancer combined, but a lot of women are still very naïve about that.”

Heart disease and stroke was the cause of death for more women than men in 2008 and continues to kill seven times as many women as breast cancer, which is why the event targets women.

Heart disease and stroke are only perceived to be the greatest health problem by 13% of women, yet 37% said they believe breast cancer to be a serious concern.

Jackman said because of the marketing and advocacy and awareness campaigns behind other diseases many women don’t perceive heart disease and stroke to be as serious as they are.

The event sold out last year, which allowed ticket sales to increase this year by 100. It will be held at the Black Knight Inn.

Jackman explained that the event is not actually run by the Heart and Stroke Foundation but that the funds go there.

“It is a third party event and is entirely volunteer run.”

Proceeds go to research, advocacy, health promotion and education.

Jackman said the event is a huge success and sees all age ranges of women come out from women in their early 20’s to late 70’s.

“It’s nice because we see lots of moms and daughters come and families of the survivors or people who are supporting the cause because they know someone who they may have lost due to heart and stroke,” said Jackman.

Tickets are $50 each and the purchase of eight tickets guarantees a private table for your group.

There will also be a silent auction and raffles as well. Some of the silent auction items include a vacation at a Palm Springs condo and raffle items include jewellery from Clowes Jewellers.

One thing that makes the Heart’s Desire Gala different from many of the other fundraising events is the fact that it is a truly ladies-only event.

The Heart Truth campaign through the Heart and Stroke Foundation really encourages women to put their own health first and make healthy lifestyle changes.

“The education portion teaches people how to recognize heart attack and stroke symptoms and seek treatment.”

Tickets are available through The Black Knight Ticket Centre by phoning 403-755-6626 or going online to www.bkticketcentre.ca.

For more information on the gala visit www.heartsdesiregala.ca.

kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com