Sea of red in Wading River

More than 200 women wearing red attended the 8th Annual Red Dress Dinner at the Inn at East Wind in Wading River to help raise money for the American Heart Association.

The annual event on Friday began years ago as a simple gathering of friends at Nancy Kouris’ Aquebogue home.

“This was always an awareness dinner to help [my friends] learn,” Kouris said.

Now, it has grown into a much larger event, but still emphasizes the same message: Women can be physically fit and healthy, but can still be predisposed to heart disease.

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women.

“It can happen to anybody,” said Melissa Salinas, of Yaphank, who is a stroke survivor.

Barbara Poliwoda, who works with the American Heart Association, said the Red Dress event raised about $7,500. But since donations are still coming in, she expects the grand total raised to be nearly $10,000.

Pictured: Over 200 women attended the 8th Annual Red Dress Dinner held at the Inn at East Wind in Wading River. (March 4, 2011)