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American Cancer Society Choose You Day Engages Employers Nationwide in Focusing on Cancer Prevention

Employees Encouraged to Devote 30 Minutes to Health on May 12

American Cancer Society Choose You Day Engages Employers Nationwide in Focusing on Cancer Prevention

Employees Encouraged to Devote 30 Minutes to Health on May 12

Published 05-11-10

Submitted by American Cancer Society

On May 12, employers nationwide will participate in the American Cancer Society's first Choose You Day by offering their employees the opportunity to take 30 minutes during the workday to focus on their personal health, and to make a five dollar donation to the Society's lifesaving work of helping create a world with less cancer and more birthdays. Choose You Day is part of the American Cancer Society's new Choose You movement (www.chooseyou.com) that encourages women to make their health a priority to stay well and reduce their risk of cancer. Employees - men and women alike - will be able to participate in a variety of activities at their workplace, such as taking a walk, attending a yoga class, eating a healthy lunch, or observing a healthy cooking demonstration.

"Employers understand that by placing a premium on the health of their workforce, their employees can live healthier, more productive lives and, in turn, be more effective in their work. We are excited that companies and organizations across the country are joining us in celebrating Choose You Day and giving those who drive their companies' success an opportunity to put their health first," said Terry Music, American Cancer Society chief mission delivery officer.

Choose You Day celebrates employees putting their health first and helps raise awareness of, and engage people in, the lifestyle behaviors that can reduce cancer risk: maintaining a healthy weight by eating right and being active; quitting or avoiding tobacco; and getting recommended cancer screening tests. Among the companies participating in the first Choose You Day are: The Coca-Cola Company, Walgreens, Kellogg Company, Avis, and Neutrogena.

"Thousands of Walgreens employees across the country will take small steps toward a healthier lifestyle," said Bonnie Gordon, Walgreens manager of promotional marketing and community outreach. "For many of our corporate and store staff members, and our more than 70,000 health care providers, serving as ambassadors for a movement that inspires women to achieve their health goals is simply a natural fit. Providing accessible, reliable wellness and prevention information is our mission every day. We're extremely pleased that so many of our employees have chosen to make a personal health commitment as well."

Employees participating in Choose You Day on May 12 will be encouraged to sign a Choose You commitment -- an online pledge to reach a specific, individual health goal. At ChooseYou.com, individuals can choose from five different health categories: Eat Right; Get Active; Get Recommended Health Screenings; Protect Your Skin; and Quit Smoking.

Participants give a minimum five dollar pledge once they sign a Choose You Commitment to incentivize them to stay on track. They can also ask friends and family to support them. Scientific research suggests that having a financial "stake in the game" as well as social support from friends and family helps people to be more successful at accomplishing personal health goals. Choose You participants and visitors to ChooseYou.com will have access to online support and tools such as a calorie calculator, virtual dietitian, nutrition and activity quiz, smoking cost calculator, prevention and early detection videos, and a desktop helper with daily health tips.

Companies that are interested in participating in Choose You Day on May 12 may contact the American Cancer Society at ChooseYou.com by clicking the "Choose You Day" button in the center of the page.

Choose You, which launched on May 4, 2010, is sponsored nationally by Sprite Zero and Walgreens.

The American Cancer Society Corporate Initiative program helps companies implement scientifically-sound, evidence-based, comprehensive health and wellness programs and provides information and high-quality support for cancer screening and care. Cancer shares many of the same risk factors as other chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke, giving these prevention programs an even broader benefit for helping companies manage their overall health care costs. Additionally, Corporate Initiative's Workplace Solutions Assessment service helps companies build healthier workforces by evaluating their health benefits, workplace policies, communications and tracking -- identifying improvement opportunities while providing customized recommendations and resources, and delivering ongoing support from the American Cancer Society to implement its high-impact, cost-effective prevention strategies. For more information on Corporate Initiative, please visit acsworkplacesolutions.com.

The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; by helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

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American Cancer Society

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913, and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345, or visit cancer.org.

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