The Woman’s Day 10th Annual Red Dress Awards ceremony

Woman’s Day magazine has put Valentine’s Day to shame this year at their 10^th Annual Red Dress Awards ceremony. Located in the Allen Room at Lincoln Center, there was not a shade of red unworn by the event’s fabulous guests among who were S Epatha Merkerson, Star Jones, Jennifer Finnegan, Marilu Henner, honoree Dr Sanjay Gupta, and the ceremony’s host, Meredith Viera. In order to raise funds for the American Heart Association, a silent auction of five stunning dresses donated and designed by David Meister was held. As if evening gowns and a perfect view of Columbus Circle were not enough, silver lounge seats and bright red lighting added to the evening’s glamour. Marilu Henner was right on many levels when she said the “[American Heart Association] is a beautiful cause.”

Stylish and gorgeous red gowns were the cameos of the event.  Designer gowns embraced attendees with their long satin scoop necks and youthful short flouncy skirts.  Lipstick came in all imaginable hues of the color red.  Hair was styled in highly piled curls to emphasize the feminine couture.  However, the highlights of the evening were the important voices of those affected by and those who are passionate about women heart disease awareness.

The Red Dress Awards ceremony has been held annually since February of 2003 and holds dear a cause which is close to many. One of the night’s guests, Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger said: “My mom died of the disease about six months ago,” one of countless women that have been affected by heart disease. It is estimated that over half a million women die of the disease each year. While breast cancer takes an average of 60,000 lives a year, cardiovascular disease takes over 500,000.  Medical experts and media believe that actively reaching out is key to arming women with “awareness of lifestyle, signs, and symptoms” that can lead to the “silent disease” that Dr Sanjay Gupta presented.

Dr Gupta, the night’s honoree, is world renowned for his investigation of the physical diet and the significance of it on the heart.  He has been interviewed with former President Bill Clinton, Anderson Cooper of CNN, and ABC news, introducing his hour-long documentary, The Last Heart Attack.  Dr Sanjay Gupta is highly sought after by medical teams across the world for his innovative research in science and bio-tech. Sound heart health is possible with the advances made by Dr Gupta and all the contributors who continue to fight the “silent disease”. It is now up to each individual and their loved ones to take up the fight and make a difference.

Dawn George
Photos: Ettore Loiacono