PHOTOS/VIDEO Release - The Heart Truth Fashion Show

Golden girls joined celebs on runway tonight to share lifesaving message: The Heart Truth

Heart and Stroke Foundation's annual fashion show highlighted women's heart health at World MasterCard® Fashion Week in Toronto.

TORONTO, March 21, 2013 /CNW/ - Celebrities, heart disease and stroke survivors, top fashion designers and some very special golden girls shone the spotlight on women's heart health at the sixth annual Heart Truth Fashion Show tonight at World MasterCard® Fashion Week in Toronto.

A stellar parade of Canadian celebrities from the worlds of sports, television, film, music, and media graced the runway tonight, modeling one-of-a-kind creations by top Canadian fashion designers to raise awareness about women's risk for cardiovascular disease.

Joining the runway lineup this year were The Heart Truth's Models of Health: three starring seniors aged 75, 83 and 91 - who showcase living well into their senior years as a result of making heart healthy choices throughout their lives. Survivors of heart disease and stroke walked the runway, sharing their personal stories that highlight the need for women to make their own heart health a priority.

Print quality photos are available from the runway at tonight's show, featuring:

• Olympic champions Cheryl Bernard, Hayley Wickenheiser and Jamie Salé
• Actors Lauren Holly, Kristin Lehman, Melanie Nicholls-King and Sonja Smits
• Models of Health winners  Claire MacDonnell (83), Gladys Wenger (91) and Margaret Abbott-Brown (75)
• Singers Liona Boyd and  Nanette Workman
• Heart disease and stroke survivors Heather Nutt-Christensen and Janet Parr
• Media personalities Erica Ehm, Jennifer Valentyne, Sandra Rinomato, Suhana Meharchand, Stacey Tookey and Traci Melchor

High res images and select broadcast quality video clips from the runway will be available for download as of 10:30 PM EDT, Thursday, Mar 21 at thehearttruth.ca/media-room

About The Heart Truth™ campaign

The Heart and Stroke Foundation's The Heart Truth campaign calls on women to put their own health first by assessing their risk for heart disease and stroke, talking to their doctor, and making heart healthy lifestyle choices in order to enjoy a long and healthy life with their loved ones.

Heart disease and stroke is a leading cause of death for women in Canada,¹ but most don't know it. Heart disease is not a "man's disease": women are more likely than men to die of a heart attack or stroke.

But by taking care of themselves and making incremental heart healthy lifestyle changes, women can reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke by as much as 80 per cent and make health last.

Women are encouraged to assess their risk for heart disease and stroke, and find questions to ask their doctor at TheHeartTruth.ca. Find community support at Facebook.com/TheHeartTruth, heart health tips at twitter.com/TheHeartTruthCA and healthy lifestyle inspiration at pinterest.com/ TheHeartTruthCA.

The Heart Truth campaign gratefully acknowledges the support of founding sponsor, Becel, and contributing sponsors Chatelaine, Post Shredded Wheat, and Health Check™, without whom the program would not be possible.

About The Heart and Stroke Foundation™

The Heart and Stroke Foundation (www.heartandstroke.ca), a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living, and advocacy. Its vision is 'Healthy lives free of heart disease and stroke. Together we will make it happen.'

Press release, model and designer bios, backgrounders, print quality images and broadcast-ready video are available for download at thehearttruth.ca/media-room

SOURCE: HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION

For further information:

For media interviews, please contact:
Edelman 
(on behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation)
416-979-1120
[e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]; [e-mail]