Heart disease is the single biggest killer of women in New Zealand - 48 women lose their battle with the disease every week. May is the Go Red for Women month, encouraging Kiwi women to get a heart check.
To raise awareness, the Heart Foundation is relying on women towear red during the month of May - whether that's red lipstick, nail polish or a cute red dress. In support of the campaign, a number of New Zealand celebrities have volunteered to "go red" this month.
Musician Anna Coddington, actors Kerry-Lee Dewing (Shortland Street) and Nicole Whippy (Outrageous Fortune and Nothing Trivial), and Crowd Goes Wild presenter Meghan Mutrie slipped on their painting overalls and were handed the perfect canvas - a beautiful man to paint red.
Whippy says: "Getting involved with this year's Go Red for Women campaign was an absolute honour.
"I have to admit, I did go red in more ways than one when the male canvas walked out!
"I had a lot of fun, but there is a serious message behind this. Kiwi women need to take more care of themselves.
"Our mums, sisters, aunties and friends look after everyone around them, but often fail to take the important steps to care for their own health.
"It's a scary thought that we're almost four times more likely to die of heart disease than breast cancer, so I encourage women out there to put themselves first - go to a doctor or nurse and get a heart check."
