Two Selma sororities are teaming up with the Vaughan Regional Medical Center to raise awareness about heart disease for the American Cancer Society’s Go Red for Women campaign.

Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc. are hosting “Walk a Mile for Your Heart” at Wallace Community College Selma next Saturday.

“We just came together and with it being heart month, we just combined along with the hospital as one of the sponsors to do something for Selma,” said Cynthia West, who helped organize the walk.

“So it is more like a community heart walk.”

West said she hopes the event will make people, especially women since they are more at risk for cardiovascular disease, more aware of having a healthy heart.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one reason for death in women, causing in one in three deaths every year.

Cardiovascular disease, listed as the underlying cause of death, accounts for nearly 801,000 deaths in the U.S.

“People need to look at their health and know that your heart is a very important part of your body and that we need to eat healthy, exercise and promote well-being,” she said.

“We need to increase our awareness of heart disease, which can lead to other heart conditions.”

West said the event, which is free, will be from 8 a.m. until noon inside the gymnasium, and she is hoping for a big crowd.

“I’m very excited about the event, and I’m looking for at least 200 people to come and participate, and most people will be wearing red,” West said.

“We have a lot of free gifts that we’re going to be giving away and snacks and all of that to help promote the walk as well.”

While the event is free, West said there will be a box there for donations.

“We do have a box there for people that want to make donations to the American Heart Association, and that money will be donated for heart month,” she said.

West said Dr. Steven Allyn, a cardiologist, a dietitian and others will be on site to give consultations.

For more information about the walk, contact Cynthia West at (334) 561-4886, and for more information about heart disease, visit www.goredforwomen.org.