FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, February 14, 2008
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290

Gov. Blunt, First Lady Celebrate Heart Health Month

JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Matt Blunt today issued a proclamation declaring February 2008 Heart Month in the state of Missouri to encourage awareness and prevention of heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death.

"Missourians can improve their own heart health by making healthy decisions to help prevent and control certain risk factors for heart disease," Gov. Blunt said. "On this Valentine's Day and throughout Missouri Heart Month, I encourage Missourians to talk to their family physicians about ways they can live a heart healthy life."

In recognition of their efforts to combat heart disease in Missouri, Gov. Blunt and First Lady Melanie Blunt hosted volunteers and advocates visiting the capital as part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign and American Heart Month.

"Heart disease is the number one killer of Missouri men and women, but the good news is that we each have the power to reduce our risk of heart disease," First Lady Melanie Blunt said. "I hope all Missouri families will join us as we take the steps to protect our hearts by making healthy choices a way of life."

Mrs. Blunt serves as the Honorary Go Red for Women Chair for the State of Missouri.

Also as part of Heart Month, Gov. Blunt issued a proclamation declaring February 1 Missouri's Wear Red Day for Women to encourage awareness and prevention of heart disease for women as part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign. The governor and First Lady wore red for the occasion and encouraged Missourians to do the same each Friday during February to show their support for women in the fight against heart disease and stroke.

The American Heart Association is celebrating February 2008 as American Heart Month and promoting education and awareness by encouraging citizens to learn the warning signs of heart attack and stroke. To learn more, visit the American Heart Association's official Internet site at www.americanheart.org.

In addition to actively supporting Go Red for Women, Gov. Blunt has worked to champion women's health in Missouri. This year his budget recommends a $500,000 increase in funding for Show Me Healthy Women, a program that offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to thousands of Missouri women who meet specific residency, age and income guidelines. The additional funding will allow the program to serve an additional 1,500 women.

Gov. Blunt is also recommending nearly $2 million to significantly expand the Women's Health Program, created as part of Mo HealthNet. The Women's Health Program covers yearly women's health exams and cancer screenings for low income Missouri women. The additional funding will enable more than 80,000 Missouri women to receive these important services.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, in October the fountain at the Missouri Governor's Mansion featured pink lights, the governor and First Lady participated in a ceremony illuminating the Gateway Arch pink for one night, and the Blunts hosted a reception honoring organizations and individuals making a mark in the fight to find a cure for breast cancer. In addition the governor and first lady have participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in both Kansas City and St. Louis.

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