Women of racing bonding to fight heart disease

Bobby Labonte knows the importance of a number. He races the No. 43 Cheerios/Betty Crocker Dodge, one of the most famous and recognizable numbers in the history of the sport.

Media members Wendy Venturini, Jenna Fryer and Krista Voda also are familiar with an important number. They each know that their cholesterol number is vital for them to continue to live a strong and healthy life.

At Las Vegas the women were wearing Cheerios "Circle of Helping Hearts" stickers to help raise awareness for women to "Know Your Number" and get cholesterol checks. Women's heart disease is the No. 1 killer among women today, making it more important for all females to "Know Your Number" and help take care of their heart.

Venturini, Fryer and Voda spoke about the importance of cholesterol awareness.

Wendy Venturini, SPEED (cholesterol level: 180)

"I know that heart disease is the number one killer among women. I do a lot of work with the American Heart Association. I think it's very important for women to get their cholesterol checked and know their number. I've been a part of helping the cause in the past, and it's especially important for me with what I do.

"I think it's very cool that Cheerios has formed the 'Circle of Helping Hearts' program. You can buy a box of Cheerios, enter the code on the box and they will make a dollar donation to WomenHeart to help women in need. That is important because we need to have more women know their numbers. It's one of the most important issues with females today, and if we can get our female race fans involved through the Cheerios 'Circle of Helping Hearts' program, that will help everyone live happy and healthy lives. That is what is important.

"I'm running around the garage with NASCAR Race Day, going from interview to interview, and it's important to be healthy and have your heart keep up with you. Heart Health is important to me, and I want every woman to know her cholesterol number. I've had my cholesterol checked, and I want to call all women of NASCAR to rally and know their number. This is a serious issue. You may look healthy and feel healthy, but it's still important to have regular cholesterol screenings."

Krista Voda, FOX (cholesterol level of 175)

"Being on the go all the time, living out of a suitcase, being in and out of airports: it just sort of sneaks up on you how you have to be healthy all the time. You have to live healthy and eat healthy, and it has to be important to us being on the road for 36 weekends of the year. Anything we can do to help ourselves out, whether that is working out or eating right, it has to happen. We have to keep on top of it or we'll forget about it as we're running from one show to the next. It can sneak up on you and you have to make the effort to make your life better.

"The Cheerios 'Circle of Helping Hearts' program is a great way to get involved. It's so simple. It's one of the little things you can do. Literally, you go to the store or go to your cupboard, you probably have it there in your pantry anyway, you get the code on the box and send it in and Cheerios will donate the money. I think it's great we can all work together to make other women's live better while at the same time doing the same for ourselves."

Jenna Fryer, The Associated Press (cholesterol level of 185)

"It's really important for me to stay healthy because of the long days at the track. There are a lot of long hours, and a lot of days when I'm running around like crazy. If I'm going to do a good job I need to be in premium physical condition. I really think female race fans need to be aware of their health as well and know their cholesterol number. How can you enjoy the race if you don't feel well? It's pretty important to know your cholesterol number and know your health status.

"I'm proud to be a part of the Cheerios 'Circle of Helping Hearts' program and am honored to play a role in it this weekend at Las Vegas. I encourage all fans to be a part of it as well. I encourage all female race fans to enter the code from inside boxes of Cheerios cereal. They are going to donate a dollar to WomenHeart, and it's just a great cause. They hope to raise up to $300,000, and I hope everyone can pitch in to help."

The "Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts" is a reminder to help a heart and make a difference. Fans can enter a code found inside specially marked boxes of Cheerios cereal or on containers of 8th Continent soy milk. Cheerios and 8th Continent will donate a $1.00 for each code entered. Through the code program, Cheerios and 8th Continent soy milk will donate up to $300,000 to WomenHeart, the nation's only patient advocacy organization serving women with heart disease, to provide free cholesterol screening for communities of women in need. Together with 8th Continent soy milk, Cheerios is donating an additional $200,000 to WomenHeart, bringing the total possible contribution to $500,000.

For more information on "Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts" visit www.cheerios.com.