When asked about the inspiration for the recent partnership between Heritage Texas Properties and the Go Red For Women Campaign, Gwen Francis, Heritage's director of business development, said that the choice was a "natural" one.

Many fail to realize the scope of heart disease, which takes the lives of nearly 500,000 women each year. In fact, the disease has garnered a reputation of an "older man's disease" that Heritage hopes to dispel.

It was for this reason that Heritage decided to take its its long-time partnership with the American Heart Association to the next level (Heritage was honored at the 2010 Heart Ball for their monumental support of the Association) and raise awareness around the greater Houston area about heart disease.

Throughout June, Heritage will continue the second month of a ritual started in May: For every open house, a red, heart-shaped balloon will be tied to the Heritage sign outside the house. Additionally, information on Go Red For Women and the American Heart Association will be available inside the houses for those who visit.

Francis cited the fact that Heritage is a primarily female company for much of the push to support Go Red For Women, as there are numerous connections to the cause within the company. Heritage prides itself on being a community-based company, placing a strong emphasis on involvement with women's and children's crusades.

In addition to disseminating information and spreading awareness, Heritage will be donating a percentage of the commission for each house sold during the partnership to the Campaign.

Francis expressed great happiness with the overall reception of the partnership thus far. Feedback from agents and clients has been so overwhelmingly positive, she said, that Heritage hopes to turn the red-heart balloons into a yearly tradition.