Service members celebrate National Wear Red Day 'Djibouti Style'

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Drae Parker | Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Charlie Soto celebrates National Wear Red Day during a fashion show held at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 5. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Drae Parker/Released)  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

02.06.2016

Story by Lt. Desiree Woodman 

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - All great things start with a fabulous idea. Camp Lemonnier service members and personnel rocked the runway during a fashion show geared to educate and bring awareness about heart disease in women Feb. 5.

The American Heart Association started the National Wear Red Day in 2003, requesting participants to wear red on the first Friday of February. Many people in the United States celebrated this 16-year tradition with unique ideas to spread the word. The “Rock Up in Red” fashion show was a first for Camp Lemonnier, a U.S. military base located in the Horn of Africa.

The idea was not only a creative way to bring in the crowds, but it provided a venue that educated the masses on symptoms, risk factors and preventative measures to combat heart disease, the number one killer in women.

Event coordinator and creator of this massive show Navy Yeoman 2nd Class Katherine D. Arias said she didn’t anticipate the amount of positive feedback from the audience. She only knew that she had to put her ideas into action. Arias was passionate about finding ways to incorporate life-saving information at a venue that was informative, impactful, yet entertaining.

“As busy women, we often go through great pains to take care of our families, responsibilities, and we tend to ignore our own needs, putting ourselves at risk if we don’t take care of our health,” Arias said. I believe knowledge is power, and knowing the risks and symptoms of a heart attack or stroke may save someone’s life.”

Common risk factors of heart disease may include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, being overweight and a sedentary lifestyle. Symptoms are often ignored by women because they seem common and are presented differently than men.

Symptoms in women may include angina (dull, heavy to sharp chest pain or discomfort), pain in the neck, jaw, throat, abdomen or back, nausea, vomiting, extreme fatigue and shortness of breath.

Since 1984, more women than men have died each year from heart disease, and the gap between men and women’s survival continues to widen, according to the American Heart Association.

“While this issue should matter to everyone, service members could also go through stressful situations at home and work, which could possibly lead to other factors that could increase risks of heart disease,” Arias said.

To reduce the risk of heart disease, the Go Red for Women campaign recommends that both men and women quit smoking, exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes a day on most days of the week, maintain a healthy weight and eat a diet that's low in saturated fat, cholesterol and salt.

The event was hosted by Joint Forces Five, which is an association that consists of joint military branches that are of the rank of E-5 and below. KBR contractors provided support through props, lighting and more.

Talented musicians played an array of contemporary jazz tunes, setting the tone and ambiance for the night. Camp Lemonnier’s first a cappella group, AfriCappella, included soulful harmonic renditions of “Lean on Me” and “My Girl.” Service members and camp personnel graced the runway with class and elegance, similar to what can be called their first “Djibouti” Fashion Week. #GoRedForWomen

For more news from Camp Lemonnier, visit www.navy.mil/local/CAMPL.

• Date Taken: 02.06.2016
• Date Posted: 02.06.2016 13:31
• Story ID: 188113
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ