Major retailers unite to fight heart disease in February's Life Is Why campaign

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S., with stroke ranking fourth. These conditions claim more lives annually than all cancers and accidental deaths combined. Now, major retailers are stepping in to raise awareness and funds during February's Life Is Why campaign by the American Heart Association (AHA).

The AHA's Life Is Why initiative has gained support from over 40 nationwide retailers this month. Brands like Away, Commando, Lafayette 148, and Michael Kors are among those participating. Others, including Reebok, ShopSimon.com, Summersalt, Torrid, and White & Warren, will also contribute by donating proceeds or collecting customer donations.

The campaign arrives as cardiovascular disease poses a growing threat. Projections suggest that within 30 years, 6 in 10 U.S. adults will suffer from some form of heart or vascular condition. Currently, more than 4 in 10 women already do. Each year, these diseases kill more women than all cancers combined, yet women remain underrepresented in related medical research.

Retailers are using the Go Red. Shop with Heart. push to highlight these risks. Throughout February, select purchases will fund AHA programmes aimed at prevention, education, and research. The exact number of participating stores and industries, however, remains unclear from available reports.

The Life Is Why campaign runs all month, with donations directed toward combating cardiovascular disease. Retailers' involvement brings wider attention to a condition that claims hundreds of thousands of lives yearly. The effort also seeks to close gaps in research, particularly for women, who face disproportionate risks.