Friday, April 21, 2006

Spring Forward into Warm Weather with Bark Busters Dog Park Safety Tips

Spring Forward into Warm Weather with Bark Busters Dog Park Safety Tips

Bark Busters offers tips to help dog owners at the dog park.

Englewood, CO (PRWEB) March 26, 2009

As the snow melts and the warm spring air begins to roll in, dog lovers need to prepare for more time outdoors with their furry friends. Bark Busters, the world's largest dog training company, has compiled a list of tips to help you know what to watch for, what to avoid and how to handle difficult situations at the dog park.

"When the weather warms up and you and your family spend more time outside, it is important to include your dog in the fun," said Liam Crowe, CEO and master dog behavioral therapist of Bark Busters USA. "Dog parks are a great place to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged friend but can also be unsafe if proper measures aren't taken."
 Know your dog. Not all dogs enjoy meeting new dogs. Don't let your dog get overwhelmed by meeting too many dogs at once. If your dog has not interacted regularly with other dogs, find out how he will react. You can perform a test by introducing your dog to a friends' dog that you know interacts well with other dogs. Testing your dog in a controlled environment is ideal before you go into the dog

 Keep your dog healthy. Be sure your dog isn't vulnerable to picking up infections from other dogs by keeping him up to date on his vaccinations and worming medications.

 Observe. Consider visiting the park without your dog for the first time to familiarize yourself with the park itself and the dogs that play there. Before bringing your dog inside the park, spend a few minutes watching the other dogs and how they interact. If the dogs seem too rough for your dog, come back at another time or try a different dog park. On your next visit you may want to bring your dog and sit quietly with him outside the park. Having your dog with you to observe from outside the park enables you to watch how he reacts to seeing the other dogs.

 Start out slow. The first few visits to the dog park should be short, no longer than 15 minutes. Slowly increase the length of your stays as your dog becomes more comfortable with the dog park atmosphere.

 Choose a time that is less busy for your first few visits to the park. Weekday evenings are peak, high-traffic times at dog parks, and weekends and holidays tend to be busy all day long. Acquaint your dog with the dog park when the park isn't as crowded.

 Closely supervise your dog. Don't get distracted while talking to other owners. Keep an eye on your dog at all times to make sure his interactions with other dogs are safe. Watch his body language to help you avoid any trouble before it begins. Watching his actions also enables you to quickly clean up after your pet.

 Let your dog off leash as soon as you enter unleashed areas. Mixing leashed and unleashed dogs can create a hostile situation. Leashed dogs, and their owners, often display body language and behavior that is threatening to the unleashed dogs and may encourage them to be aggressive and defensive in return. A leashed dog cannot make the choice his natural instinct tells him of "fight or flight" -- if he cannot take flight, he may have to fight.

 Potential hazards. Be aware of potential hazards that may be in the park, such as toxic chemicals, garbage or noxious plants. Be sure to wash any chemicals, such as fertilizer or pesticides, off of your dog's feet and legs to ensure they aren't licked and ingested.

 Leave children at home. Don't bring children with you to the dog park. You will not safely be able to watch your kids and your dog at the same time. Many dogs have not been socialized to children. Both frighten and excite easily -- and react differently -- creating a dangerous atmosphere. It's simply too easy for a child to get hurt at a dog park.

 Leave small puppies at home. Puppies less than four months old aren't fully immunized yet and are at higher risk for contracting diseases. They are also very vulnerable to being traumatized by another dog's aggressive behavior.

 Do not bring toys or food. Most parks are already littered with balls and toys that other people have brought. Rewarding your dog with treats or giving him toys in front of other dogs can create jealousy and aggression.

 Body language. Educate yourself about dog body language and communication signals so you can tell the difference between fear, play and anger. Your local Bark Busters trainer can help you learn to "read" your dog's body language.

 Know when to leave. You should remove your dog from the park if he: is being threatened or bullied and seems fearful; begins to display aggressive behavior by becoming overexcited or threatening toward other dogs; is panting heavily; or seems overly tired. Keep your dog's welfare a top priority.

 DO NOT physically intervene in a dog fight. Never reach in to break up fighting dogs. Squirt the dogs in the face with a water bottle or try to distract them by throwing something near them, but never physically intervene.

 Prevent injuries. Be aware of the signs of a possible dog fight before it might happen. Don't allow a dog's overexcitement turn into a fight. If your dog injures a person or dog, give your name and phone number to the injured party. Report to law enforcement authorities any handlers who refuse to take liability for damages or injuries and who are endangering the safety of others.

"'Dog parks are a great place to help socialize your furry friend," added Crowe. "Following these simple tips will help make it a safe and stress-free experience."

Bark Busters, the world's largest, most trusted dog training company, started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. Since inception, nearly 500,000 dogs have been trained worldwide using its dog-friendly, natural methods. With 250+ franchised offices in 42 states and more than 400 offices in 10 countries, Bark Busters is continuing its mission to build a global network of dog behavioral therapists to enhance responsible dog ownership and reduce the possibility of maltreatment, abandonment and euthanasia of companion dogs. Bark Busters is the only international dog training company that offers guaranteed lifetime support. SPCA International selected Bark Busters dog behavioral training services as the "Best of the Best" in its category. No other training company or dog trainer received such a distinction. To fetch a trainer in your area, call 1-877-500-BARK (2275) or visit www. BarkBusters. com, where dog owners can complete a Dog Behavioral Quiz to rate their dogs' behavior.

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Thursday, April 20, 2006

Health Literacy Innovations Announces 1st Annual Health Literacy Innovator Award — Anonymous Donor Offers Prize Money To Winners

Health Literacy Innovations Announces 1st Annual Health Literacy Innovator Award — Anonymous Donor Offers Prize Money To Winners

— Health Literacy Innovations (HLI), creators of the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, today announced the 1st Annual “National Health Literacy Innovator Award,” a national competition to award innovators in health literacy.

Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) July 7, 2010

Health Literacy Innovations (http://www. healthliteracyinnovations. com)(HLI), creators of the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, today announced the 1st Annual “National Health Literacy Innovator Award,” a national competition to award innovators in health literacy.

Submissions will be evaluated in three categories:
 Champion Award: Demonstrated commitment to health literacy in an organization.  “ReadsEasy” Publication Award: Demonstrated commitment to health literacy in printed information to consumers, such as brochures, pamphlets, or information sheets.  Clear Focus Multi-Media Award: Demonstrated commitment to excellence in health literacy in a web site or other form of communication, based on usability, design, and reaching a targeted audience.

The list of prestigious 2010 Health Literacy Innovator Award Judges are:
 Carolyn Cocotas, Senior Vice President, Quality and Corporate Compliance, F. E.G. S., Health and Human Services System & IOM Health Literacy Task Force Member, New York  Cecilia (Ceci) and Leonard (Len) Doak, Principles of Patient Learning Assoc. Inc., and authors of Teaching Patients with Low Literacy Skills, Palm Desert, California  George Flouty, MD, Medical Director, Pfizer N. Y., Founding member of Pfizer's Health Literacy initiatives (retired)  Julie Gazmararian, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University Atlanta  Linda Johnston Lloyd, MEd Health Literacy Consultant and Retired U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration Health, Literacy Coordinator  Marycelis Keiser, MPH, CHES, Director, Pfizer Inc, Primary Care Business Unit  Julie McKinney, LINCS Health Literacy List Moderator, World Education, Inc.  Guadalupe Pacheco, Jr., M. S.W, Special Assistant to the Director, Office of Minority Health, Office of Public Health and Science U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC

Details & deadlines:
 Winners/ category will receive a $300 donation to the charity of their choice and three HLA licenses  The application deadline is August 30, 2010. Winners will be announced October 2010 in celebration of National Health Literacy Month  For an application, please visit www. HealthLiteracyInnovations. com

About Health Literacy Innovations
Knowing that “literacy” is the single most important indicator of health outcomes, Health Literacy Innovations, (HLI) was founded to create tools to help eliminate medical mistakes and confusion due to low health literacy. In 2007, HLI launched the Health Literacy Advisor (HLA), the nation's first interactive health literacy software tool, which is revolutionizing the health literacy review process. By replacing inefficiency with technology and knowledge, the HLA gives writers of all skill sets a simple tool to produce health information for consumers. An add-in to Microsoft Word, the HLA applies six well-known readability indices and an interactive search-and-replace function to replace hard-to-read terms and phrases and medical jargon with plain language alternatives. The combination of these two functions, the ability to “stamp” a document with a readability score/grade level, and the ReadsEasy stamp (which rewards users for good work) sets the HLA software apart from programs or readability indices alone. For more information, please visit www. HealthLiteracyInnovations. com or call 301-230-4966.

Media Contact: Aileen Kantor, aileen(at)prhealthcare(dot)com, 301-229-6782

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E-prescriptions are a Click Away from Correcting Errors and Protecting Patients, says DoctorSolve

E-prescriptions are a Click Away from Correcting Errors and Protecting Patients, says DoctorSolve

The benefits of electronic prescriptions may soon have many physicians throwing out their pen and reaching for the mouse.

Vancouver, B. C. (PRWEB) February 13, 2007

With all the years of training physicians go through, one skill that has eluded many of them is good penmanship.

More than 3.2 billion prescriptions are handwritten every year. A 2006 report from the Institute of Medicine found that more than 7,000 people died and at least 1.5 million were harmed by preventable medication errors in the U. S. One major cause cited for this was illegible prescriptions. "If the physician's handwriting is difficult to read, filling a prescription becomes a guessing game. Patients may be given the wrong drug or dosage if the pharmacist misread the prescription," says Dr. Paul Zickler of DoctorSolve (www. doctorsolve. com) online pharmacy services.

Fortunately, the medical world is warming up to a new program that may change the age-old habit of handwritten prescriptions. The National e-prescribing Patient Safety Initiative is a multi-million dollar project supported by high-profile technology companies and hospitals. Doctors can access a web-based tool to write prescriptions electronically and transmit them for filling.

Electronic prescribing first started in hospitals where doctors would submit a patient's prescription on special computers at nursing stations. The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that at one hospital computerized prescriptions cut the rate of serious medication errors by more than half.

"E-prescribing offers a new level of security for patients and physicians," says Zickler. "It can reduce errors related to handwriting, and prevent harmful drug interactions. Plus patients can get treated sooner. One click and a patient's prescription can be e-mailed to the drug store."

E-prescribing can also make things easier and safer for patients who purchase their prescriptions from international pharmacies. "Currently, the patient or doctor has to fax the written prescription in to start the order process, and then mail us the original," says Zickler. "E-prescriptions would streamline the process and get critical medication to our patients faster."

"Until this technology is in place, our medical staff reviews every prescription and follows up to confirm the details. This practice prevents some of the problems inherent with handwritten scripts, and ensures the safety of our patients."

DoctorSolve, a Canadian Internet-based pharmacy intermediary (license #BC Q37) offers lower cost, long-term prescriptions. A professionally registered pharmacist fills all prescriptions. A certified member of the Canadian International Pharmacy Association, DoctorSolve is ranked one of the best online pharmacies by PharmacyChecker. com. DoctorSolve has filled more than 200,000 U. S. prescriptions.

For more information, call 1-866-732-0305, listen to our podcast at www. doctorsolve. com/podcast (http://www. doctorsolve. com/podcast) or visit http://www. doctorsolve. com (http://www. doctorsolve. com).

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Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Physicians Declaim Unfair Targeting of Concierge Medicine by Maryland Insurance Commission

Physicians Declaim Unfair Targeting of Concierge Medicine by Maryland Insurance Commission

Physicians are declaiming efforts by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner to regulate concierge medicine as a form of "insurance." As a result of what doctors consider serious overreaching by the commissioner, there has been a professional outcry from private doctors across the country, including the Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design (SIMPD), the national organization that represents concierge doctors. The Maryland Insurance Administration did not identify, or document, any abusive practices by concierge physicians, nor made no findings that any concierge physician had engaged in wrongdoing or improper practices of the sort Insurance Administrations are uniquely suited to regulate.

Richmond, VA (PRWEB) February 2, 2009

On December 19th, Ralph Tyler, the Maryland state insurance commissioner, held hearings to determine whether concierge medicine met the state's definition of "insurance." The commissioner subsequently issued a 10-page report, recommending -- among other things -- that doctors contemplating opening a concierge practice should consult with his office first. Interestingly, concierge medicine was investigated by the Commissioner without a single complaint from a consumer, or a single violation by a practicing concierge doctor.

The obvious reason for even loosely defining concierge medicine as "insurance" is that it would allow the Commissioner to regulate the practices of private doctors. In fact, the calling of this hearing was so onerous to one Maryland group of five internists that they canceled their plans to open a concierge practice, despite the fact that hundreds of patients had already signed on to the new program.

As a result of what doctors consider serious overreaching by the commissioner, there has been a professional outcry from private doctors across the country, including the Society for Innovative
Medical Practice Design (SIMPD), the national organization that represents concierge doctors.

"Our greatest objection to Commissioner Tyler's efforts is the ignorance of the singular attribute afforded by concierge medicine. We hold no faith in emulating any part of the insurance system. In fact, it is our frustration with insurers continuously interfering with our ability to practice good medicine that led us to the concierge medicine model," notes Dr. Thomas LaGrelius, president of the Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design (SIMPD), the national organization which represents concierge doctors.

Physicians in Maryland and elsewhere have joined to issue a response to the Report of the Maryland Insurance Administration on "Retainer" or "Boutique" or "Concierge" Medical Practices and the Business of Insurance. A view of the complete report is available at www. simpd. org.

Report highlights include:

O There Is No Justification for the Commissioner's Hearing or Report: The Maryland Insurance Administration did not identify, or document, any abusive practices by concierge physicians, nor made no findings that any concierge physician had engaged in wrongdoing or improper practices of the sort Insurance Administrations are uniquely suited to regulate. No justifications were suggested for why concierge physician practices should be subjected to the cost, expense, and administrative burdens of complying with the plethora of regulations and requirements that have been instituted to avoid and remedy misconduct by insurers and health care insurance plans except for the possibility that subjecting concierge doctors to such regulations will effectively discourage them from ever becoming concierge physicians.

O Concierge Practices as "Insurers:" Different Conclusions in Washington and Maryland: The State of Washington began a review of concierge care prior to formulating draft regulations in 2003, and ultimately adopted a specific statutory scheme in 2007. The statute imposes nondiscrimination, contractual, disclosure, and reporting obligations on concierge care doctors, but concludes that concierge doctors are not insurers. The Washington Legislature also concluded that concierge medical practices: "represent an innovative, affordable option which could improve access to medical care, reduce the number of people who now lack such access, and cut down on emergency room use for primary care purposes, thereby freeing up emergency room facilities to treat true emergencies."

O Concierge, or Direct Practice Medicine, Is Not Just Healthcare for The Rich: In many cases a patient's participation is less than $1,000 per year. Additionally, use of a concierge medical doctor does not preclude use of traditional insurance.

O The Objective of the Commissioner's Actions Was to Discourage Growth of Concierge Medicine: As acknowledged by MIA, the objective of the effort to apply "insurance" regulations to concierge practices is to discourage "[t]he growth of retainer practices [because they] may decrease the number of primary care physicians available to those who cannot afford to pay an annual fee." This conclusion is inescapable. It is worthwhile to note that the MIA does not specify any abusive or harmful acts by concierge physicians in need of remedy within the scope of the Insurance Administrator's authority, and by the fact that the best MIA can do in the effort to characterize concierge doctors as insurers is to identify a few isolated parallels between concierge care agreements and insurance contracts that "could" justify "treating" those the contracts as "insurance agreements."

O Concierge Medicine Is Essential to Solving One of the Nation's Most Critical Health Care Crisis: Exodus of Primary Care Physicians: In a 2008 Physicians Foundation survey of U. S. primary care physicians, nearly half the respondents said that they would seriously consider getting out of the medical business within the next three years if they had an alternative. Similarly, according to a survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in September 2008, "only 2 percent of the medical school class of 2007 plans to make a career in internal medicine primary care." As such, SIMPD agrees that the dwindling numbers of primary care doctors in Maryland is at the heart of the MIA investigation of concierge care. However, efforts to discourage concierge care -- which is what we believe is at the core of the MIA investigation -- will only exacerbate the underlying cause of physician exodus from primary care and distract the MIA and other concerned agencies from identifying and solving the real underlying problems.

O Concierge Medicine Does Not Adopt Any of the Principles of Traditional Insurance: The modest and insignificant parallels between the direct care agreements used by most of our members and the business of insurance are too inconsequential to support the effort to characterize concierge care as "insurance." To the extent there are risks that concierge doctors might engage in improper practices (such as overcharging, taking on more patients that can be served, abandonment, or coercion), there is already a plethora of applicable legal and ethical restrictions and no shortage of individuals and interest groups to assure that these appropriate restrictions are enforced.

O Conclusion: "In conclusion, the MIA effort to enlarge the definition of 'insurer' to cover concierge medicine doctors is wrong as a matter of law and unnecessary, distracting, and counterproductive as a matter of fact. It is big government latching onto an easily available tool (insurance administration oversight) to address a problem to which that tool is not suited (the exodus from primary care), while avoiding the real problem (the stifling, frustrating, oppressive, and parsimonious system for the delivery of primary health care)," says LaGrelius.

Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design
C/o Transmarx Management Company
P. O. Box 448
Richmond, VA 23219

For Interviews:
DR. THOMAS LaGRELIUS
Dr. LaGrelius is a board certified specialist in Family Medicine; he operates a retainer medical practice, Skypark Preferred Family Care, in Torrance, California http://www. skyparkpfc. com (http://www. skyparkpfc. com). He is a graduate of the University of Washington Medical School in Seattle. Dr. LaGrelius is President of the Board of SIMPD.

DR. STEVEN KNOPE
Dr. Knope is a board-certified internist and sports medicine expert. He completed his premedical studies at Columbia University and graduated with honors in internal medicine from Cornell University Medical College in 1988. Knope is a pioneer in the field of concierge medicine, opening one of the first concierge practices in America in December 2000. He authored the first book on concierge medicine entitled, Concierge Medicine; A New System to Get the Best Healthcare (Praeger, 2008). He continues to practice in Tucson. http://www. conciergemedicinemd. com (http://www. conciergemedicinemd. com).

CONTACT: Thomas LaGrelius, MD, President, SIMPD, 1-877-448-6009
C/o Transmarx Management Company
P. O. Box 448
Richmond, VA 23219
Email: tlagrelius (at) pol (dot) net 
Www. simpd. com

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Monday, April 17, 2006

Dermique and Healthcommunities. com Launch Cellulitechannel. com

Dermique and Healthcommunities. com Launch Cellulitechannel. com

Dermique, a medical laser skin spa, and Healthcommunities. com, Inc., publisher of over 30 different physician-developed and - monitored patient education websites, partner to create Cellulitechannel. com, a website for health care consumers seeking information on cellulite. Cellulite is body fat that causes the skin to have an uneven, dimpled appearance. As many as 90% of women have some degree of cellulite.

Northampton, Mass. (Vocus) December 17, 2008

Dermique (http://www. dermiqueskinspa. com), a medical laser skin spa, in partnership with Healthcommunities. com, Inc., recently launched Cellulitechannel. com (http://www. cellulitechannel. com), a website that discusses all aspects of cellulite, a physical condition in which subcutaneous fat causes skin to have an uneven, dimpled appearance.

Cellulitechannel is the first joint venture between Dermique and Healthcommunities. com (http://www. healthcommunities. com) ("HC"). The partnership allows Dermique to reach HC's network of site visitors, and other health care consumers, using HC's proven successful model for distributing health information. Cellulitechannel, as all HC's patient education websites, incorporates easy-to-read, physician-developed and - monitored health content alongside forums with highly targeted subject matter.

The partnership provides HC an online environment in which to discuss aesthetic health issues while placing an emphasis on medical oversight.

Recent advancements in safe, minimally-invasive techniques for treating cellulite, and the falling costs of treatment, have opened up a huge market of Americans seeking smoother skin. While many companies have sprung up to meet the overwhelming demand, not all are equal. It's important for consumers to locate and choose experienced spas with medical staff and the latest equipment, in order to achieve the best results. Cellulitechannel will help those considering treatment for cellulite to make smart decisions.

In addition to describing cellulite, the new website provides information on its myths and misconceptions, causes and risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. After learning about cellulite, browsers can discuss issues of cellulite with other browsers in the cellulite forum (http://forum. cellulitechannel. com/hc-forum/). Physicians who contribute to the forums are screened and identified as "Healthcommunities. com Approved Physicians."

Dermique is a medical laser skin spa headquartered in Western Massachusetts that specializes in non-invasive, cosmetic medical procedures.

Healthcommunities. com, Inc., is a privately-held company founded in 1998. Healthcommunities. com, which serves health care consumers searching for reliable information on the Internet, is a Physician Developed and Monitored™ collection of online communities that provides information and resources to consumers and patient education website services to health care providers.

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Sunday, April 16, 2006

Susan G. Komen Foundation's 16th Annual Race for the Cure Takes Place Sunday, September 24 Along San Francisco's Embarcadero

Susan G. Komen Foundation's 16th Annual Race for the Cure Takes Place Sunday, September 24 Along San Francisco's Embarcadero

Susan G. Komen Foundation's 16th Annual Race for the Cure takes place Sunday, September 24 along San Francisco's Embarcadero.

San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) September 6, 2006

The 16th annual Komen San Francisco Race for the Cure will take place this year on Sunday, September 24, 2006 at a new location along the Embarcadero, San Francisco. The new site is more visible than the previous location, bringing the possibility of raising more money to support breast cancer research, education and treatment. This 5K Run/Walk or 1 mile Fun Walk starts at 9am at the crosswalk at the SW corner of the Ferry Building. The run goes along the Embarcadero, around AT&T Park, and back along the Embarcadero.

Also new to the race this year: Kids for the Cure. Any child between the ages of 6 and 12 can register for only $10 and will receive a child-sized Race for the Cure T-shirt, available to the first 500 children registering.

Every registered participant receives an official Race T-shirt. Breast cancer survivors, who are the inspiration for the Race for the Cure, may pick up complimentary pink T-shirts and visors from the Survivor Booth on Race day. In addition, all Komen Race participants are encouraged to wear In Memory of and In Celebration of back signs, honoring loved ones for their strength and courage.

A special survivor recognition ceremony will be held in Justin Herman Plaza on Race day in front of the stage at 10:30am to honor all breast cancer survivors. The top three finishers in the Breast Cancer Survivor Division will receive commemorative awards donated by Mark Harrington Crystal, in addition to the first, second and third place finishing prizes. First Place Master Survivor (age 60-64) and First Place Senior Survivor (age 65+) will also receive special commemorative awards.

In addition to individual participants, teams are invited to compete in the following categories:

Fastest Team -- first and second place. Largest Team -- team with the most participants corporate/government, small business, family & friends, schools/education. Highest Fundraiser Team -- first and second place.

The goal of the 2006 Komen San Francisco Race for the Cure is to raise $100 per participant, the cost of a single mammogram. Money raised from last years race has been granted to 11 organizations in the 9 Bay Area counties and also has helped to create a program for free breast cancer screening and mammography services for uninsured Bay Area women.

“People taking this walk feel a sense of pride and accomplishment,” said Joni Cassell, the 2006 Race Chair. “It's physical and just the act of moving is a wired-in good feeling; we all were built to move. There's power in numbers. Seeing a group strive for a goal together, being part of that group; makes for an empowered feeling.”

The Komen Race for the Cure is unique in that it attracts people of all ages and fitness levels. Although most participants choose to walk or jog, elite runners are also drawn to the event. All courses are certified by the USA Track & Field (USATF), the national governing body for track and field, long distance running, race walking and cross-country events.

The Komen Race for the Cure Series, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. Since its origination in 1983, the Komen Race for the Cure Series has grown from one local race in Dallas with 800 participants to a global series of more than 100 races with more than 1 million people participating. The Komen Race for the Cure Series has grown internationally with events in Italy, Germany, and Puerto Rico.

Funds raised during the Komen Race for the Cure Series support a variety of breast cancer research and patient support programs. Seventy-five percent of the net income from each Komen race stays in the local community of the Bay area's 9 counties to fund local breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects. A minimum of 25 percent of the net income supports the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific conferences around the world.

In addition to raising funds, the Komen Race for the Cure Series is committed to educating the public about early detection, the strongest method of surviving this life-threatening disease.

The 2006 Race sponsors are:

Platinum: The Safeway Foundation; KGO Newstalk AM 810; ABC 7, KGO-TV. Diamond: Chevron; Fresh Express; GAP, Inc; San Francisco Magazine; Citigroup Smith Barney. Gold: Ann Getty & Associates; Brown & Toland Medical Group; Dockers San Francisco; Electronic Arts; Genentech; San Francisco 49ers; Seagate Technology. Silver: AMB Property Corporation; Breeder's Choice; California Pacific Medical Center Foundation; Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; PowerBar Pria®; Republic of Tea; SVB>Financial Group; Sports Basement. Bronze: Bear Stearns; Big O Tires; Dreyer's Fruit Bars; Goody StayPut®; Hana Bio Sciences, Inc.; Road Runner Sports; Shane Co.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Goodman Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan Goodman Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Komen Foundation is an international organization with a network of 75,000 active volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. For more information on breast health or breast cancer, please visit www. sfkomen. org or call the Foundations National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1-800-IM AWARE (1-800-462-9273).

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Thursday, April 13, 2006

Gourmet Hot Chocolate Drink Made From Rich Caribbean Ground Chocolate Makes Instant Cold Weather Treat For Hot Cocoa Lovers

Gourmet Hot Chocolate Drink Made From Rich Caribbean Ground Chocolate Makes Instant Cold Weather Treat For Hot Cocoa Lovers

New Jersey based Gourmet Coffee Company announces availability of Chocolate Cortes Caribbean Ground Chocolate through their online store at TastesofTheWorld. net. Premium coffee houses are offering new hot cocoa drinks that are triple the fat and calories of the Gourmet Hot Chocolate made from this premium powdered gourmet ground chocolate.

Parlin, NJ (PRWEB) January 11, 2005

JLL Corp., a New Jersey based Gourmet Coffee Company announces availability of Chocolate Cortes Caribbean Ground Chocolate through their online store at www. TastesofTheWorld. net. Premium coffee houses are offering new hot cocoa drinks that are triple the fat and calories of the Gourmet Hot Chocolate made from this premium powdered gourmet ground chocolate.

Legends from many cultures claim that consuming chocolate instills strength, health, faith and passion. Researchers have discovered that chemicals found in chocolate are beneficial to health. Theobromine is rich in antioxidants, Stearic acid helps prevent build-up of cholesterol, lessening symptoms of high blood pressure. Phenylethylamine, (also produced in the human brain during emotional pleasure) is a scientifically proven aid in the control of human stress, believed to be responsible for the feeling we experience when in love.

For a limited time, if you sign up for the Coffee Talk Forums and pledge to donate toward disaster relief efforts through Americares, Tastes of the World will offer a 10% discount toward future purchases through their online store. Members of the Coffee Talk discussion forum can comment on this rich, creamy hot cocoa, also used in baking.

For the best Gourmet Hot Chocolate Drink you have ever tasted, pour two tablespoons of Cortes Caribbean Ground Chocolate in a cup. Add 2 tablespoons of water or milk and mix until paste is formed. Add hot milk, stir and enjoy.

To prepare instant Hot Chocolate in Microwave:

Pour two tablespoons of Cortes Caribbean Ground Chocolate in a cup. Add 2 tablespoons of water or milk and mix until paste is formed. Add one cup of milk microwave for two minutes.

About JLL Corp.

JLL Corp., a New Jersey based Gourmet Coffee company, specializing in hard to find rare coffees, gourmet chocolate and premium Ceylon Teas online, focuses on specialty products not readily available in the United States. JLL Corp is committed to giving back by donating a portion of proceeds during their launch to the Asian Tsunami Relief effort through an agreement with Americares. TheyÂ’ve pledged to donate a 5% percent of sales proceeds toward Tsunami relief efforts. Discounts of 10% on future chocolate purchases through the end of March go to those pledging direct Tsunami Aid donations through Americares when registering at the TastesofTheWorld. net web site.

Register at http://www. tastesoftheworld. net/talk/ (http://www. tastesoftheworld. net/talk/)

About Sucesores Pedro Cortes, Inc.

In 1936 a family sharing the name of the well-known Conquistador, dedicated to processing unique products derived from cocoa beans. Based in Puerto Rico, Don Pedro Cortes Forteza founded Sucesores Pedro Cortes, Inc. Three generations and sixty eight years later, Sucessores Pedro Cortes Inc has become one of the most enduring Chocolate manufacturers in Puerto Rico, growing to a respected company with a 50,000 sq ft facility, making eleven different brands in Puerto Rico and the Continental United States.

Release available for use and distribution with permission

Http://www. tastesoftheworld. net/chocolate-press. html (http://www. tastesoftheworld. net/chocolate-press. html)
E-mail customerservice@tastesoftheworld. net

Phone 1-877-895-2662

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