You can help raise awareness for women's heart disease simply by donning something red on Friday.

That's the goal of National Wear Red Day, when women nationwide are encouraged to show solidarity by wearing the bold color.

Created by the American Heart Association as part of its Go Red for Women campaign, the annual event targets cardiovascular disease -- the No. 1 killer of women, even greater than all cancers combined. Since 2004, the nonprofit organization has been encouraging women to understand their risks and take action to prevent the disease.

You can even benefit from participating. At Macy's stores through Sunday, wear anything red -- even lipstick counts -- and you'll receive a 10 or 20 percent discount on a wide assortment of merchandise. If you forget, there are $2 pins available with all proceeds benefiting Go Red for Women. Or buy a dress by I·N·C International Concepts, Alfani and Charter Club ($70 to $89), and 10 percent of the purchase price will be donated to the cause.

The campaign will continue Feb. 8, the day before New York's Fashion Week, when celebrities will take to the runway for the Red Dress Collection.

On Saturday, the Mall of America will host free events, including fashion shows (11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.) of student-designed red ensembles. On Feb. 19, the Twin Cities group MNFashion (www.reddressmn.com) will get in on the action with a show of red dresses from local designers. The event will benefit the Women's Heart Clinic at the University of Minnesota Physicians Heart at Fairview.