Showing posts with label awareness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label awareness. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

World Arthritis Day on Oct. 12 Calls for Americans to 'Do Blue' and Take Action Against Nation's Most Common Cause of Disability

/PRNewswire/ -- In observance of World Arthritis Day, the Arthritis Foundation is calling on Americans to "Do Blue" on Tues., Oct. 12. From dressing head to toe with blue (hair) dos to blue shoes – and everything in between – to lighting up national monuments in blue, the effort aims to raise awareness of arthritis in all its forms and to urge the nation and individuals to take action to reduce the impact of the most common cause of disability in the U.S.

"World Arthritis Day is about people joining together and mobilizing to fight arthritis, a disabling disease that affects 50 million people in the U.S. and hundreds of millions around the world," says Arthritis Foundation President and CEO Dr. John H. Klippel.

Observed every year on Oct. 12 since 1996, World Arthritis Day is part of a global awareness initiative by the United Nations-endorsed Bone and Joint Decade. This year's theme is "Let's Work Together." A key aim is to increase awareness of the 100+ forms of arthritis and to call on individuals and policymakers to take action to reduce the burden of arthritis.

"Arthritis exacts a hefty financial toll, costing the U.S. economy $128 billion annually," says Klippel. "As the staggering prevalence of arthritis continues to rise, we must as a nation and as individuals take action to reduce the severe health and economic effects of this disease."

Action Against Arthritis

To encourage all Americans to take simple steps that will prevent or decrease the pain and disability of arthritis, the Arthritis Foundation is launching several initiatives in support of World Arthritis Day and as an extension of the Fight Arthritis Pain campaign that launched in February in partnership with the Ad Council.

* Walk Around the World – Moving is the best medicine for fighting arthritis pain. Help the Arthritis Foundation raise awareness as we collectively walk 24,900 miles, the circumference of the earth, between now and Oct. 31. Visit www.fightarthritispain.org/worldarthritisday to learn more and record your steps.


* Do Blue for Arthritis – The Arthritis Foundation is encouraging Americans to "Do Blue" in observance of World Arthritis Day. This involves anything from lighting up national landmarks in blue, like Niagara Falls, to wearing blue shoes and other apparel. On this day our voices will be heard and we will be seen as well.


* "Ask-the-Experts" Twitter Party – Get answers to your questions about managing and treating osteoarthritis. The Arthritis Foundation, in partnership with the American College of Rheumatology, will host a Twitter party at 2 pm EDT on Oct. 12. Dr. Patience White of the Arthritis Foundation and Dr. Arthur Weinstein of Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Medical Center will answer questions in real time. Join the party by tweeting using the hash tag #arthritisday.


* Ask Congress to Join the Congressional Arthritis Caucus – World Arthritis Day marks the launch of the Congressional Arthritis Caucus, co-chaired by U.S. Reps. Eshoo (D-CA) and Myrick (R-NC). The caucus will strive to raise awareness about arthritis and work toward the goal of educating all members of Congress about how arthritis impacts their communities and how to help support federal and local efforts addressing arthritis in all its forms. Call or email your members of Congress and ask that they unite against arthritis by joining the Congressional Arthritis Caucus.


* Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis – Form a Jingle Bell Run/Walk team and raise awareness and funds to fight arthritis. Be one of the first 100 people to register on Oct. 12 at www.fightarthritispain.org and receive a free gift.


To learn more about World Arthritis Day activities in the U.S., visit www.fightarthritispain.org/worldarthritisday. Visit www.worldarthritisday.org for worldwide activities.

The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is the leading health organization addressing the needs of the 50 million Americans, including 300,000 children, living with arthritis, the nation's most common cause of disability. The Foundation helps individuals take control of arthritis by providing public health education; pursuing public policy and legislation; supporting research and conducting evidence-based programs to improve the quality of life for those living with arthritis.

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Thursday, September 23, 2010

Ride for Prostate Cancer Awareness with Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia

/PRNewswire/ -- Come ride with the thrill of fresh air in your face all while supporting one of the leading killers of men in the state of Georgia. According to the American Cancer Society, Georgia ranks 6th in highest estimated deaths caused by prostate cancer; this is a serious concern for the state and for Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia, a center of excellence in treatment for prostate cancer. To raise awareness and support the Georgia Prostate Cancer Coalition, Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia is hosting a motorcycle ride on Saturday, Sept. 25, with all proceeds from this motorcycle ride supporting the statewide license plate initiative to build prostate cancer awareness.

Anyone can participate – whether as a rider or a passenger – in this motorcycle ride, which will begin and end at Killer Creek Harley-Davidson in Roswell, Ga. The registration is $25 for each motorcycle rider (and includes a t-shirt) and $10 for each passenger. To register, visit www.beatprostatecancer.com or call 678-965-4756 Ext. 115

Radiotherapy Centers of Georgia's own physicians and staff will be riding for prostate cancer awareness and invite the community to come ride with ride for Prostate Cancer awareness in Georgia! For more information, contact Toni Karasik at tkarasik@rccancercenters.com .

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Monday, August 30, 2010

Tic Tac® Mints Partners With CancerCare® on the Shake, Share & Care Campaign in Support of Breast Cancer Awareness

/PRNewswire/ -- The Tic Tac® brand announced today the launch of their Shake, Share & Care program in support of Breast Cancer Awareness as well as all those affected by cancer. As part of its six-year partnership with CancerCare, an organization focused on raising awareness of the affect cancer has on people with the illness, caregivers, loved ones and the bereaved, the Tic Tac® brand has made an initial donation of $100,000 to CancerCare as part of its commitment to the cause. Tic Tac® has also launched its official Facebook page to encourage fans to Shake, Share & Care by posting their kind acts in an effort to help the brand reach its goal of an additional $100,000 donation to the organization.

The Tic Tac® brand will contribute additional funds on behalf of consumers who get involved in an effort to spread CancerCare's mission of helping those affected by cancer. Fans are encouraged to visit www.facebook.com/tictacusa and share their acts of caring. For example, driving a patient to and from treatments or bringing a home cooked meal once a week to someone with cancer. For each person that shares their act of caring, the Tic Tac® brand will donate $5 to CancerCare, up to an additional $100,000(1).

The kick-off of Shake, Share & Care also marks the introduction of the brand's limited edition Pink Grapefruit flavor Tic Tac® as part of the brand's ongoing support of CancerCare.

"We are delighted to partner with the Tic Tac® brand to help raise awareness and support for individuals affected by a cancer diagnosis," said Christina Wyman, Director of Corporate Relations at CancerCare. "Together, we hope the Shake, Share &Care program will go far in offering professional support services for anyone whose life has been affected by cancer." The limited edition Pink Grapefruit flavor will be available at select drug, grocery, mass merchandiser, warehouse club and convenience stores from August through October 2010.

"CancerCare is a remarkable organization, and the Tic Tac® brand is thrilled to continue its support of such a great cause," said Tic Tac® Category Manager Noah Szporn, of Ferrero U.S.A., Inc. "The Shake, Share & Care program not only raises money for a great cause, but allows consumers to share their inspiring stories to generate greater awareness of the effect cancer has on people's lives," Szporn added.

To help bring the message of Shake, Share & Care to a broader audience, this August Tic Tac® will also be a supporting sponsor of the GBK Luxury Gift Suite in Honor of the 2010 EMMY Awards Nominees and Presenters. Tic Tac® and CancerCare know that cancer affects everyone, including celebrities and their families, which is why the brand is thrilled to be a part of the excitement surrounding the EMMY Awards. The suite will give celebrities and influencers the chance to upload their own acts of caring to the Tic Tac® brand Facebook page. In addition, each celebrity that visits the suite will walk by the Tic Tac® wall, a 8x12ft wall featuring a diamond pattern made entirely out of limited edition Pink Grapefruit and Freshmint flavor Tic Tac® mints.

(1) Only one donation to Cancer Care per person/per act of caring. Minimum guaranteed donation of $25,000 to Cancer Care. Donation capped at $100,000.

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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Celebrates $50 Million of Goodwill

/PRNewswire/ -- The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta today kicks off Pediatric Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month by announcing that its primary benefactor, Aflac, has surpassed $50 million in donations to the fight against pediatric cancer and blood disorders. September is Pediatric Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under 15 in America.

Contributions to the Aflac Cancer Center help the center treat more than 350 new cancer patients every year. The hospital also performs more than 50 bone marrow transplants each year, making it the leading BMT program in the country. In 2008, the Aflac Cancer Center treated a total of 6,504 patients.

"We could not do the innovative research nor provide the quality of care that patients need without the generous support of good-hearted people who are committed to eradicating childhood cancer and blood disorders," Dr. William G. Woods, director of the Aflac Cancer Center and Professor with the Emory University School of Medicine. "Aflac's support enables us to recruit the most brilliant and dedicated researchers who are developing life-saving treatments for children at the Aflac Cancer Center and across the nation."

With 1,635 active cases, the facility maintains the largest pediatric sickle cell disease program in America, curing more children of sickle cell disease than anywhere in the nation. Sickle cell is an extraordinarily painful disease that attacks internal organs through the blood stream. Sickle Cell Disease is often referred to as an orphan disease. An orphan disease is one that has not been "adopted" by the pharmaceutical industry because it provides little financial incentive for the private sector to make and market new medications to treat or prevent it. Even so, Dr. Peter Lane and researchers at the Aflac Cancer Center make it one of its primary research initiatives.

In addition to corporate donations, approximately 16,000 of Aflac's independent sales agents donate an average of $325,000 every month to the Aflac Cancer Center directly from their commission checks. Other contributions come from Aflac staff headquartered in Columbus Georgia, New York, and Nebraska. Aflac also sells plush Aflac Ducks online with all proceeds going to fight pediatric cancer. Since 2001, sales of the Aflac Holiday Duck alone have provided more than $2.3 million to the cause.

"Our support for this cause has never been about Aflac; it is about the children whose lives are being saved or improved every day by the dedicated people at the Aflac Cancer Center," Aflac chairman and CEO Dan Amos said. "We are proud to help any way we can, but the children and their doctors and nurses are the true heroes."

Throughout the month of September, Aflac and the Aflac Cancer Center will be conducting a major, integrated campaign, including special events, online donating opportunities on Facebook, a text to donate program, and cancer & blood disorder awareness events involving NASCAR superstar Carl Edwards, driver of the number 99 Aflac Ford Fusion.

Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is a national leader among childhood cancer, hematology, and blood and marrow transplant programs, serving infants to young adults. Recognized as one of the top childhood cancer centers in the country by U.S.News & World Report, the Aflac Cancer Center treats more than 350 new cancer patients each year and follows more than 2,500 patients with sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other blood disorders. Visit www.aflaccancercenter.org or call 404-785-1112 or 888-785-1112 for more information.

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Monday, October 27, 2008

HHS Celebrates Contributions to People With Disabilities

HHS today has recognized the significant achievements of five leaders in
science, education, business and entertainment during a ceremony
celebrating National Disability Employment Awareness Month. During the
ceremony, other honorees were also acknowledged for their role in
support of the Administration's commitment for full inclusion in the
workforce for people with disabilities. The honorees have contributed
greatly to advance the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and President Bush's New Freedom Initiative (NFI).

"Our 2008 award honorees represent models of what all of us, with or
without disabilities, can contribute toward removing barriers that limit
persons with disabilities' ability to participate fully in their
communities," HHS Deputy Secretary Tevi Troy said. "Their contributions
allow us all to build on all efforts that ensure our nation remains a
place of opportunity for all Americans."

Honorees awarded today include the following:

* Dr. Alim Louis Benabid, world renowned pioneering scientist and
mentor in the area of deep brain stimulation that changes the lives of
persons with Parkinson's disease, dystonia and other movement disorders,
received the International Award.
* Dr. Phyllis Magrab, educator, scholar, skilled clinician and
champion for children with disabilities, nationally and internationally,
received the Pioneer for Persons with Disabilities Award. Dr. Magrab is
with the Georgetown University Medical Center.
* Dr. Joseph Rosen, researcher, professor and noted plastic
surgeon who performs facial and body reconstructions at Walter Reed
Medical Center, received the Health/Service Provider for Persons with
Disabilities Award.
* Mr. Kyle Maynard, born with congenital amputation of all four
limbs, a champion wrestler, author, motivational speaker, advocate, and
role model, received the Persons with Disabilities Across the Lifespan
Award.
* Ms. Emily P. Kingsley, Emmy(r) award-winning writer for "Sesame
Street" and long-time advocate of kids with special needs, on the
popular children's program and beyond, received the Entertainment
Industry Award.
* Ms. Dora Ricks, HHS employee who instructs, mentors and
motivates young persons with disabilities within HHS to become employed
as productive citizens with disabilities, received the 2008 Certificate
of Appreciation.


Most Americans, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, race, or
ethnicity will experience a disability at some time during the course of
their lives. Some individuals are born with a disability; others
acquire them through an illness, an injury, genetics, or any number of
other causes. The ADA provides greater equal opportunity protections for
all Americans. The Act allows more Americans with disabilities than ever
before greater assurances of equality of opportunity, full
participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for
Americans with disabilities of all ages.

"The Bush Administration works to provide opportunities for all
Americans, including persons with disabilities," said Margaret Giannini,
M.D., F.A.A.P., director, HHS Office on Disability. "America can be
proud of the progress made toward fulfilling the principles and meeting
the goals of the American Disabilities Act and the New Freedom
Initiative."

"The goals of the New Freedom Initiative are the goals of occupational
therapy -- to enable Americans to live life to its fullest," commented
Penny Moyers Cleveland, president of the American Occupational Therapy
Association. "The NFI charts a vision and provides the means to achieve
the vision of the Americans with Disabilities Act."

The NFI is a public-private effort that eliminates barriers that keep
persons with disabilities from participating fully in community life.
NFI responds to the needs of Americans by promoting the access to
resources, skill development and dignity of full and inclusive
citizenship.

"It is an honor for us to co-sponsor this awards program," said American
Physical Therapy Association (APTA) President R. Scott Ward, P.T., Ph.D.
"People with disabilities face significant challenges that often limit
their ability to have a reasonable level of physical activity. As
experts in the way the human body moves, physical therapists are
dedicated to helping people of all ages and abilities improve their
quality of life through achieving their highest possible level of
function."

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, HHS recognizes
the talents, skills, and dedication of disabled Americans who are a
vital part of our workforce. With more than 51 million people with
disabilities living in the United States, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau, HHS' 2008 honorees are among those leading our best efforts to
help those with disabilities and their families improve their own
circumstances and take more control over their lives.

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Monday, February 18, 2008

Mr. Diabetes(R) Hits 9,000 Mile Mark of 10,000+ Mile Walk to Raise Awareness About Diabetes

PRNewswire/ -- In rural Milledgeville, Georgia, 62 year old insulin-dependent Andy Mandell -- Mr. Diabetes(R), completed mile 9,000 of his 10,000+ mile perimeter walk of the United States raising awareness about the disease that nearly took his life.

"I've hit milestones in San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and Washington DC, but small communities have the same rate of diabetes, only fewer resources to manage it. We can beat this disease locally, but it isn't going to happen on a national level. Unchecked, diabetes, which costs the U.S. $225 billion annually, will bankrupt our healthcare system," said Mandell.

Top diabetes researchers agree that a cure is at least 20 years away. The key to stopping diabetes is awareness and prevention through personal responsibility and lifestyle changes. Losing 10 - 15 pounds can make all the difference. Cut out fast food, snack foods and soda. Add 5-9 servings of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains to your daily diet.

"Pursue a more active lifestyle, like walking. Begin with ten minutes a day and increase the time gradually. It's a great way for families to catch up and get healthier at the same time," says Mandell. "These simple steps can delay the onset of diabetes and will help minimize complications," Mandell concluded.

Before THE WALK(TM) began there wasn't nearly the focus about diabetes that exists today. Mandell believes his efforts have impacted diabetes. THE WALK(TM) has captured the imagination of the public and Mr. Diabetes(R) is living proof that diabetics are neither helpless nor hopeless.

About the Wake Up and Walk(R) Tour

Now in its 7th and final year, Mr. Diabetes(R) is the sole walker. You may have seen him walking state highways in his brightly colored safety vest and walking pole. He's walked through 33 states, crossed 100 major rivers, 4 time zones (twice!), and gone through 22 pairs of walking shoes. He has met one-on-one with over 60,000 individuals and received over 100 Proclamations by Senators, Congressmen, Governors and Mayors. Through appearances and meetings at hospitals, such as Loma Linda, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, schools, civic organizations, and the media he has reached over 65 million Americans. The Walk(R) continues through Florida before reaching the finish line in Madeira Beach, Florida in December of 2008.
For more information about diabetes, THE WALK(TM) and to make a tax-deductible donation: http://www.defeatdiabetes.org/
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