People across the valley went red on Friday to battle heart disease in women. Heart disease is the number one killer of women, and West Virginia is the worst in the nation for number of cases. It can strike at any age and that's a big reason people are trying so hard to give women a fighting chance.

The National Go Red for Women movement is playing out across West Virginia in a variety of ways. Managers at the Charleston Town Center Mall offer guests red carnations. Patsy and Charles Bibbie willingly walk the extra mile for the cause. At Jackson & Kelly staff members make a big statement with the giant red dresses that will adorn the windows of the building all month all month.

At a special lunch in the River City guests are treated to heart healthy food, and surprising stories. Little, Sophie Gentry had her first heart surgery at two weeks old and then another at six months.

Sophie's mom, Bethany Gentry says, "They let us carry her to the door of the operation room, handing her over each time was the hardest thing we ever had to do, but we had to do it for her to live."

Sophie is thriving and that gives her loved ones hope. Experts say most women often either don't recognize the symptoms or ignore them. Increased awareness and following some simple, sensible prevention measures are the keys to surviving.

There are several ways you can show support for the cause, pick up a red dress pin at the Charleston Town Center Mall and wear it often, get your hair dyed at Visions Day Spa for the "red hair red heart" month long effort, or buy a Brighton bracelet, featuring the signature red dress.

It is available at Geraniums on Bridge Road in Charleston.

For more information on heart disease log on to goredforwomen.org.