Reno, Nev. (February 2, 2012) - Jimmy Beans Wool, a leading online retailer of yarn and fabric, is driving efforts to draw attention to heart disease, help people understand the risk factors for the disease and encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles so people can protect their heart health. These efforts are part of a high-profile nationwide campaign called Stitch Red, which is fast becoming an industry-wide movement to raise awareness about heart disease, the #1 killer of women in the United States.
Stitch Red is supported by a majority of manufacturers and vendors in the Needlearts industry who are creating unique "Stitch Red" products for which 5% of gross profits will benefit the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) in support of The Heart Truth®, a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Additionally, Jimmy Beans Wool has written a book, Knit Red, which features 30 celebrity designers sharing patterns and personal stories and will be released in June of 2012. Another element of the campaign is a monthly "Stitch Red Knit Night" that will be hosted by Jimmy Beans Wool at its retail center in Reno, Nevada, along with other local yarn shops across the country. Five percent of gross profits from Knit Red and "Stitch Red Knit Night" will also benefit FNIH in support of The Heart Truth®.
Laura Zander, owner of Jimmy Beans Wool, was shocked to learn how many Americans, both men and women, are affected by heart disease. After her active outdoorsy husband Doug was diagnosed with high blood pressure at the young age of 35, it became Laura's mission to help raise awareness about the illness. "I was most shocked to learn that more women die every year of heart disease than any other disease-even breast cancer," said Zander. "And heart disease is preventable. In fact, by leading a healthy lifestyle, Americans can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent. It's never too early or too late to take action. It's not a disease that just affects men."
It is Jimmy Beans Wool's goal to not only use the Stitch Red campaign to draw awareness about this deadly and often silent disease amongst the fiber community of knitters and crocheters, but to get the message out to women everywhere. For more information about Stitch Red and to find out how you can get involved, please visit www.stitchred.com or contact Laura Zander or Kaity Ocean at laura@jimmybeanswool.com, kaity@jimmybeanswool.com or 775-827-9276.
Stitch Red Partners
Artyarns, Be Sweet, Inc., Berroco, Inc., Blue Sky Alpacas, Classic Elite Yarns, Crystal Palace Yarns, della Q, Denise Interchangeable Knitting & Crochet, Fairmount Fibers Ltd., Frog Tree Yarns, Interweave Store, Jade Sapphire Exotic Fibres, Jimmy Beans Wool, Knitter's Magazine, Knitting Fever Inc., Koigu Wool Designs, Kollage Yarns, Lantern Moon, Lindabelinda, Lorna's Laces, Malabrigo Yarn, Mountain Meadow Wool Mill, LP, Namaste, Plymouth Yarn, Red Heart Yarns, Shibui Knits, Skacel, Soak Wash Inc., Swans Island Yarns, Tahki Stacy Charles, Trendsetter Yarns, Universal Yarn, Vogue Knitting, WEBS - America's Yarn Store, Westminster Fibers, Yarn Pop and Yarnsisters.
Local Yarn Store Supporters
Baskets of Yarn, Cotton Clouds, Inc., Jessica Knits, Jimmy Beans Wool, Knit, Riverwools... A knitting place and Susquehanna Knitting Company.
About Jimmy Beans Wool
Founded in 2002 by Laura Zander, aka "Jimmy," and Doug Zander, Jimmy Beans Wool is a brick and mortar and Internet yarn and fabric superstore. It offers knitters, crocheters and sewers worldwide a comprehensive selection of the finest yarns and fabrics along with the latest fashion trends. Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, the store has been awarded an excellent rating from StellaService for their excellent customer service reputation and has been named three times to the Inc. 5000, Inc. Magazine's List of Fastest Growing Private Companies in the U.S. It has also been featured on CNN, NPR, Forbes and in the New York Times.
About The Heart Truth® Campaign
The Heart Truth® is a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease and is sponsored by the NHLBI, part of the NIH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Through the campaign, the NHLBI leads the nation in a landmark heart health awareness movement that is being embraced by millions who share the common goal of better heart health for all women.
The centerpiece of The Heart Truth is the Red Dress, which was introduced as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 by the NHLBI. The Red Dress reminds women of the need to protect their heart health, and inspires them to take action. To learn more, www.hearttruth.gov. ® The Heart Truth and The Red Dress are registered trademarks of HHS.