"We are focused on sexual health and awareness as a company and the industry as a whole, but it is also very important for us to not forget that our heart health is most important,” said Kelly Szwed, marketing and promotions coordinator for Williams Trading Co.
In February, Williams Trading Co. offered a Go Red Catalog packed with CalExotics’ red items, donating five percent of its proceeds to the “Go Red” campaign, a movement to encourage women to take action to protect their health.
"CalExotics is a woman owned company, so it seemed very befitting that they would team up with us to educate and empower women," Szwed said.
"This is a great idea — something we have believed in for a long, long time," agreed Jackie White, vice president of sales at CalExotics.
"Our plan is to participate every year just as we have each holiday season with our other donation campaigns," said Bob Pyne Jr., VP of Williams Trading Co.
Williams Trading Co. noted that the American Heart Association reports that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women each year and less than half know what are considered healthy levels for cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol; and that by ignoring women as a specific group, their awareness of often-preventable diseases suffers.
“This means women just like you — mothers, sisters, friends — are dying at the rate of one per minute because they don't know what we know: heart disease kills,” the company said.