Star-Studded Red Dress Concert Highlights Critical Women's Heart Health Crisis
Sharon Stone hosts a major charity concert and fashion event in New York City to spotlight cardiovascular disease as the leading killer of women, featuring performances by Sara Bareilles and Suki Waterhouse, emphasizing the ongoing need for awareness and research in women's heart health.
The American Heart Association kicked off American Heart Month with its annual Red Dress Collection Concert, hosted by Sharon Stone at Lincoln Center in New York City. The event, which combines fashion and music, draws attention to a sobering statistic: cardiovascular diseases claim more American lives than cancer and accidental deaths combined.
According to the Association's 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, heart disease remains the number one killer of women, despite being largely preventable. The event transforms this serious health message into an engaging platform featuring influential voices from entertainment, fashion, and philanthropy.
Stone, who shared her personal stroke survival story, was joined by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles and singer-songwriter Suki Waterhouse, who delivered musical performances. The evening also showcased prominent actresses, musicians, and public figures walking the runway in red ensembles from renowned designers, maintaining the tradition started by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's The Heart Truth program.
During the event, the Association recognized philanthropist Sarah 'Sally' Ross Soter with its Woman Changing the World award for her longtime support of women's health initiatives and research, including the Go Red for Women Venture Fund and specialized research networks.
The significance of this event extends beyond its entertainment value, serving as a crucial platform to raise awareness about women's cardiovascular health and the need for continued research and prevention efforts. With heart disease affecting one in three women, the concert represents a vital intersection of celebrity influence and public health advocacy, aiming to inspire action and support for women's heart health initiatives.