Shades of Red

An SIUC alumnae sorority is fusing fashion and art to bring attention to the number one killer of women: heart disease.

The first "RED Extravaganza" will also promote art awareness and raise funds for the Delta Sigma Theta college scholarship, given to female seniors in high school. The event takes place on the American Heart Association's second annual National Wear Red Day for Women.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease or cardiovascular disease claims more than 500,000 women's lives a year. The art expose will begin at 5 p.m. and display SIUC professor Najjar Abdul-Musawwir and local artists' work. The fashion show will start at 7 p.m. and the Vanity Fair Fashion Models, an SIUC Registered Student Organization, will showcase red dresses, the symbol for the national heart disease campaign, made by SIUC fashion students. The African Student Council and Pan-Hellenic Council are also contributing to this event.

The WebMD Web site stated heart disease can include a number of conditions affecting the structures or function of the heart that may include coronary artery disease, abnormal heart rhythms, heart failure, heart valve disease, congenital heart disease, heart muscle disease and blood vessel disease.

Jaime Fluker, program chairwoman for the Carbondale Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, said she is pleased this event brought together diverse organizations.

Nikki Hornsberry, an active Delta Sigma Theta alumna, said the sorority chose to focus on heart disease because they wanted to help with the national Red Dress campaign. Hornsberry and Fluker said they were excited each organization could contribute to the event.

"I think this is a positive event," Fluker said. "We're going to make a donation to the American Heart Association, and they can use the money whichever way they see fit."

Fluker said the exact portion of the profits that would be donated would not be determined until after the event.

This event will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. at Ballroom D of the Student Center. Contact Jaime Fluker at (618) 453-5456 for more information. Tickets are $10, and the event is open to the public.