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IT Healthcare Company, Eloquence Communications, Conquers the Language Barrier Between Medical Facilities and Patients

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ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Feb. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As the U.S. grows more culturally diverse, some healthcare experts worry that patients are suffering adverse effects due to the lack of professional interpreter and translator service availability. Instead, Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients frequently rely on nonprofessionals, including family members, who lack the understanding of medical terminology. This increases the risk of medication errors, incorrect procedures, avoidable readmissions, untreated pain and discomfort, and other adverse events. According to the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality, nearly 9% of the U.S. population is at risk for an adverse event because of language barriers.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpW-XsqkN-I 

According to a 2014 article in ‘Modern Healthcare’ magazine, when interpreter services are available in healthcare facilities, they can surprisingly go unused – this can have devastating consequences.  Millions of dollars in damages and settlements are paid out every year for malpractice cases where the provider failed to utilize a professional interpreter or interpretation service. And this isn’t just a big-city problem. With the largest rate of increase of LEP patients in our country happening in rural areas, facilities in every part of country are realizing the need for solution that is simple, easily accessible, and reliable.  Eloquence Communications, Inc. has created just the solution health organizations need — the Language Access Solution (LAS).  This comprehensive tool empowers all those affected by removing barriers to translation/interpretation for patients, caregivers, and healthcare facilities on a cost effective, 24-7-365 basis by providing patients immediate access to a touchscreen tablet device displaying 30 of the most common requests in their native language.  From this tablet, a patient’s request is routed to the appropriate caregiver on their mobile device, the nurse or aide acknowledges the request, and a confirmation is sent back to the patient – in their preferred language. 

Equally as valuable is LAS’s feature that allows the patient to immediately speak with a live interpreter simply with the touch of an icon on the device.  For hospitals and healthcare facilities, LAS is customizable, intuitive, requires no capital expense, and its WIFI connectivity makes installation a simple plug-and-play solution, avoiding any disruption to patient care. According to Eloquence founder Dr. Lance Patak, “For patients, this system is empowering, reliable, and ensures more equitable, quality care that could truly prove life-saving.  This system is so easy to use, there really is no reason every LEP patient shouldn’t experience the same high-quality of care provided to English-speaking patients.”

About Eloquence Communications, Inc.
Eloquence Communications, a healthcare IT company founded by Dr. Lance Patak and Dr. Bryan Traughber, is dedicated to improving the delivery of care through the development of innovative and simple communication solutions. Drs. Patak and Traughber have committed themselves to helping healthcare facilities achieve optimal staffing allocation and workflow efficiency while driving improvements in patient communication, safety, outcomes, and satisfaction, in an impactful way.

For more information about Eloquence Communications, Inc. and the Language Access Solution program, contact:
Eloquence Communications
(855) 422-3567
[email protected]

Seaborne Airlines Flying High in The Golden Mile Business District of San Juan

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Feb. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Seaborne Airlines and the Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority (PRIFA) have entered into an agreement to install Seaborne’ s corporate logo on the 23rd floor of the exterior frontal façade of the World Plaza Building in Hato Rey. Seaborne’ s headquarter offices are located in the World Plaza, one of the tallest and most emblematic commercial buildings in the business zone. The government of Puerto Rico made a strategic investment in Seaborne, closing in early 2014. Since that time, Seaborne and Puerto Rico have worked together to allow Seaborne to ‘spread its wings’ to 17 airports throughout the Caribbean. Seaborne operates as a codeshare partner to American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Air Europa with interline connecting agreements with Delta Airlines, United Airlines and many other carriers.

Seaborne Airlines in The Golden Mile Business District

Constructed in 1972, the architectural design of the World Plaza remains one of the most striking views in the skyline of The Golden Mile. It also holds an important place in the business history of Puerto Rico, having shared another legendary name, Banco de Ponce, exactly where Seaborne will proudly display its brand.

Very soon, Seaborne’s brand will rise up in the busy Golden Mile District. Seaborne Airlines, the largest regional operator at the Caribbean’s largest connecting hub at San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport has exemplified itself with high standards of customer service, operating all flights from San Juan with two pilots and a flight attendant on the comfortable 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft.

“We saw the potential of the deal with Seaborne for Puerto Rico, and Seaborne saw the big opportunities that Puerto Rico has to offer as a business destination. It is another example of how we are reenergizing our anchor industries while fostering a services, exportation and knowledge oriented economy” said Alberto Bacó Bagué, Secretary of Economic Development for Puerto Rico. “Now everyone will be able to see that Seaborne’s headquarters are here in Puerto Rico, that they believe in us and that they are part of Puerto Rico’s economic transformation”, said Bacó.

“We are pleased of our joint efforts with Seaborne Airlines to make possible their operations in Puerto Rico, choosing the World Plaza as its headquarters. The property, owned by PRIFA, provides the airline a strategic location in Puerto Rico’s Golden Mile to run its business as one of the largest airlines of the Caribbean. It also secures the airline’s growth as part of Puerto Rico’s aerospace ecosystem”, said Grace Santana, executive director of PRIFA.

Seaborne, a Part 121 US Flag Carrier, is the only commercial airline operating with the Puerto Rican flag on its fuselage. “No one flies the flag higher,” said Gary D. Foss, CEO and President of Seaborne. “This is just another step forward as we continue to build upon the success Seaborne is experiencing in Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean“, added Foss.

“We would like to extend a special thanks to Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla, Grace M. Santana, Chief of Staff to the Governor as well as PRIFA Executive Director and Cesar R. Perez, PRIFA Deputy Director, for their support to Seaborne Airlines in this project. We would be remiss to not thank Ingrid R. Rivera Rocafort, Executive Director of The Tourism Company of Puerto Rico and Mr. Joey Cancel Planas, President of the Economic Development Bank of Puerto Rico and their staffs. Without their support and the support of the people of Puerto Rico, Seaborne would not be where it is today”, said Foss.

About Seaborne Airlines

Seaborne Airlines has been operating in the Caribbean for over 23 years, carrying approximately 3 million customers safely. With over 2,200 peak monthly departures to 17 airports, Seaborne serves San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, St. Thomas airport and Seaplane base, St. Croix airport and Seaplane base, Anguilla, Antigua, Tortola, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, St. Kitts, Nevis, La Romana, Punta Cana, and Santo Domingo. All flights operate with two pilots and two engines under Federal Air Regulation Part 121, the strictest code of the US Federal Air Regulation governing air travel.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160207/330461

(Español) Pablo Soria de Lachica — Se Espera que la Economía de Mexico Mejore a Medida que Disminuye el Desempleo

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Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013, and Patrick Gage, an anti-trafficking advocate, announce a new fund to combat human trafficking

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NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013 and Founder and President of the Universe of Blessings Fund, and Patrick Gage, anti-trafficking advocate and member of the Carlson family which owns hotel brands like Radisson and Country Inn & Suites, have released a video announcing the creation of a fund to combat human trafficking in advance of The Big Game.  The video is on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=set9gnugQE8 

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160204/329872LOGO

Gabriela chose to film her statement at a Country Inn in San Carlos, California, to highlight the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s impact as an industry leader in combatting human trafficking.

“Today, as you cheer on your favorite team,” Gabriela says in the video, “20.9 million men, women, and children are trapped in modern-day slavery as victims of human trafficking.  In the time it takes to run a single football play, another person joins their ranks.”

Targeting the Big Game’s vast audience, the video reminds all Americans of the existence of human trafficking throughout the world, including in the United States.

“And this plague knows no borders: 60,000 trafficking victims live in America,” Ms. Isler states.

In the video, Patrick Gage, anti-trafficking advocate and advisory member of the board of the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN), announces the creation of the Scalabrinian Action Fund to End Trafficking, or SAFETY. SIMN operates 270 facilities across the globe in service to migrants, including victims of human trafficking. Pope Francis has publicly thanked the Scalabrini fathers and sisters who become “migrants with migrants” and defend them from “merchants of human flesh.”

“Gabriela and I are proud to join SIMN in establishing this fund, proceeds of which will go towards fighting what Pope Francis has called a ‘crime against humanity,'” Gage says.  Contributions can be made to SAFETY at http://www.simn-global.org/donate.php

In recognition of the important need in this area, an anonymous donor has agreed to match donations to the fund up to $100,000.

“Every little bit helps,” Gage concludes.  “The money you spend on a party for the Big Game this weekend might just save a victim of human trafficking.”

www.simn-global.org 

Perkin Industries and Suquet Capital Partners Lead Investment Into Hispanicize Media Group

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NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hispanicize (www.HispanicizeEvent.com), the nation’s largest U.S. Hispanic social media and influencer event company and DiMe Media (www.DiMeMedia.net), a Hispanic-focused influencer network, announces that it has successfully secured a round of funding led by Perkin Industries and Suquet Capital Partners (SCP, LLC). This strategic capital investment has resulted in the merger between Hispanicize and DiMe Media to create Hispanicize Media Group (HMG). Funds from the investment will be utilized for strategic add-on acquisitions, technology development, content creation and an expansion of HMG’s influencer network.  Concurrent with the investment and new company strategy, Nic Perkin and Joseph Suquet will join HMG’s Board of Directors.

“From the start we were impressed with HMG’s ability to simultaneously maintain high growth and profitability, as well as the growth opportunities of the expanding U.S. Hispanic market. This is a great company, with a strong management team, focusing on the U.S. Hispanic social/digital marketplace that was pioneered by Hispanicize,” commented Nic Perkin, formerly of Massive Incorporated and Receivables Exchange and now Chairman and CEO of Perkin Industries.

“This merger creates the perfect balance between brand integration with digital influencers who are dominating content marketing. We’re excited about the company’s accelerated growth potential and believe the capital will position HMG to successfully gain additional market share to effectively connect large companies with U.S. Hispanics,” said Joseph Suquet, Principal of Suquet Capital Partners.

Through HMG’s vast clientele of Fortune 1000 brands, agencies and other organizational partnerships the Company consistently leads the conversation and has the expertise to connect and collaborate with U.S. Hispanic media and digital influencers to execute a wide variety of content marketing and influencer-focused programs.

“With this capital and our strategic group of investors, HMG is now positioned to significantly accelerate its growth and expansion plans in ways that will allow us to continue to revolutionize the national event and social media/digital marketing space,” said Hispanicize Media Group CEO Manny Ruiz.

Other key investors include Sean Wolfington, serial entrepreneur and CEO of the Wolfington Companies, and Nico Chereque, founder of petMD.com and formerly with Terra.com.

“Hispanicize Media Group is revolutionizing how American companies target and reach the U.S. Hispanic consumer. As the only platform in the United States that offers corporate America 360 access, both online and offline, to the most influential Latino’s in America, HMG is the gateway to engage U.S. Hispanic consumers,” commented Mr. Wolfington. 

Said Mr. Chereque of HMG, “I am excited to be joining an exceptional leadership team to help further develop the immense value represented by the consolidation of Hispanicize, DiMe Media, and Hispanic PR Blog, under the HMG umbrella. This union, and our plans for growth, will undoubtedly create opportunities for brands to connect with Hispanic consumers in unique and differentiating ways.” 

ABOUT PERKIN INDUSTRIES

Perkin Industries is a diversified portfolio of high-performance small and medium sized companies. All of its companies share some common characteristics: they are run by successful entrepreneurs, they have the opportunity to grow, they produce cash, and they have over three years of operating history. In short, Perkin Industries is not a private equity firm. Not a traditional one at least. Instead of buying companies, Perkin Industries buys into companies with the objective of becoming a value-added, long-term partner to the owners and operators. To reach them or learn more about Perkin Industries, please visit www.PerkinIndustries.com.

ABOUT SUQUET CAPITAL PARTNERS

Suquet Capital Partners (SCP, LLC) is a private investment group with investments in media and real estate and is managed by The Suquet Family; Joseph Suquet, Jonathan Suquet, and Jose Suquet. SCP is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.

ABOUT HISPANICIZE MEDIA GROUP

Hispanicize Media Group, LLC (HMG) works with leading brands and advertisers to navigate the rapidly evolving, trillion dollar U.S. Hispanic market by offering branded media opportunities, brand integrations, digital marketing campaigns and social influencer management through its on and offline platforms that include the annual Hispanicize event and DiMe Media. HMG’s award-winning management team is credited with pioneering the U.S. Hispanic social media industry and creating culturally resonating and engaging content for today’s Latino consumers. HMG is headquartered in Miami with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

(Español) Los esteroides prenatales disminuyen el riesgo de enfermedades respiratorias en los bebés prematuros tardíos

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GM Recognized in Top 12 of LATINA Style’s 50 Best Companies For Latinas

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DETROIT, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — General Motors was recognized today as one of top 12 of the 50 best companies for Latinas in the United States by LATINA Style, Inc. The LATINA Style 50 Report is one of the most respected national rankings of companies based on their policies and practices that promote the needs and aspirations of Latinas in the workplace.

LATINA Style, Inc. also recognized GM’s Hispanic Initiative Team (GM HIT) as the #1 Employee Resource Group (ERG) of the year. The award ceremonies took place during the 18th Annual LATINA Style 50 Awards and Diversity Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C.

This marks the 15th time that GM has been recognized on the list since its launch in 1997. The LATINA Style top 50 report results from an extensive search and evaluation of prominent U.S. companies on matters important to the publication’s readers, including career opportunities, retention, employee benefits and mentoring and educational opportunities.

“General Motors is proud to once again receive this recognition from LATINA Style,” said GM Global Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett. “Further, being the number one Hispanic employee resource group in the nation is a true testament to the commitment of GM’s Hispanic Initiative Team. Their direct contributions and hands-on leadership helped drive diversity forward and continue to position GM as an industry leader.”

LATINA Style, Inc. also recognized GM’s Hispanic Initiative Team for exceptional leadership in living the GM values through its mission of recruiting, retaining and developing Hispanic employees. The group actively engages in the community and strives to make GM a workplace of choice for Latinos.

In 2015, GM HIT’s work included a national focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education outreach initiatives and partnerships to introduce and inspire students to pursue education, careers and futures in these fields. Efforts included STEM week activities at local GM plants, a national High Technology Day in partnership with AT&T and the launch of a Coding as a Second Language program.

“We are honored to have our GM Hispanic Initiative Team be recognized a third year in a row for our work and contributions to make GM a workplace of choice for Hispanic employees and our focus on the pipeline of Hispanic talent,” said Antoinette Fox, president of GM HIT. “As the LATINA Style ERG of the year, we strive to position ourselves as a resource to not only our members but also the entire corporation and the local communities in which we live and work around.”

About LATINA Style, Inc.
LATINA Style, Inc., headquartered in Falls Church, Va., and with offices in Dallas, TX, is the publisher of LATINA Style Magazine, a national magazine for the professional Hispanic woman. The magazine has been published for 22 years and has a national circulation of 150,000 and a readership of nearly 600,000. The company is host of the LATINA Style Business Series, the LATINA Style 50 Report, the national LATINA Symposium and the LATINA Style Hero Initiative. For further information about the LATINA Style 50 Report or to learn more about LATINA Style, visit www.latinastyle.com.

About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world’s largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

Smart Contact Lens Helps Predict Disease Progression in Glaucoma Patients

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SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A contact lens with a built-in sensor could help determine which glaucoma patients have a higher risk of disease progression, according to a new study. Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center found certain patterns of electrical signals emitted from the “smart” contact lenses correlate with a faster rate of glaucoma progression. The findings are being published online today in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160203/329634
Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151114/287412LOGO

Glaucoma remains a leading cause of blindness.1 One of the main indicators of the disease is high pressure in the eye, or intraocular pressure. Doctors often check eye pressure to gauge a patient’s eye health. However, these tests yield a single snapshot in time and are impractical to perform at night when eye pressure typically rises. With the advent of smart contact lenses that monitor patients continuously, scientists are hoping to solve that problem.

Researchers at Columbia tested the lenses on 40 patients between ages 40 and 89 undergoing treatment for open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease. Over two years, scientists performed at least eight standard visual field tests on these patients. Half were classified as having slow disease progression while the other 20 had fast disease progression.

The patients then wore a smart contact lens for 24 hours, including overnight as they slept. The lens’ sensor detects changes in lens curvature. As eye pressure fluctuates, the curve changes, generating an electrical signal sent to a wireless device that records the signals. Similar to how an electrocardiogram shows a heartbeat, the profile of signals from the smart lens indirectly shows eye pressure changes over time.

Investigators found that patients with steeper spikes recorded overnight and a greater number of peaks in their signal profile overall tended to have faster glaucoma progression. This information provides more insight into glaucoma and also a blueprint for deciphering the signals from this new wearable technology. Using these findings, clinicians can better estimate the risk of progression by looking at a readout from the smart lens. The findings could also have implications when using the lenses to evaluate glaucoma treatments.

“What we see in these measurements is a signature that indicates which glaucoma patients will get worse and which are relatively stable, which you can’t do with a one-time eye pressure measurement,” said study author C. Gustavo De Moraes, M.D., MPH, an associate professor of ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center. “This could be very useful if you want to know whether a new medication is working for a patient. You can see how their eye is reacting to the therapy in a much more meaningful way.”

The Sensimed Triggerfish® contact lens system used in this study is approved in Europe but does not currently have approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Other contact lens systems that can continuously measure eye pressure are also in development.

“Visual Field Change and 24-Hour IOP-Related Profile with a Contact Lens Sensor in Treated Glaucoma Patients,” De Moraes et al. Ophthalmology, article in press, Feb. 2016. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2015.11.020. For a full copy of the study, please contact the Public Relations Department at [email protected].

For more information on glaucoma, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® public information website, www.aao.org/eye-health.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest membership association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 ophthalmologists, we are passionate about protecting sight and fighting preventable blindness. For more than 120 years, we have been educators, innovators and advocates for the public and our profession to ensure the highest-quality medical and surgical eye care. Our EyeSmart® program is a preeminent source of eye health information for the public and empowers people to preserve their vision. For more information, visit www.aao.org.

About Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, publishes original, peer-reviewed, clinically-applicable research. Topics include the results of clinical trials, new diagnostic and surgical techniques, treatment methods, technology assessments, translational science reviews and editorials. For more information, visit www.aaojournal.org.

1https://nei.nih.gov/eyedata/glaucoma

Mary Kay And EverFi To Help Middle Schoolers Define Healthy Relationships For Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

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DALLAS, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — One in three young people in the United States will experience abuse in a dating relationship. In recognition of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Mary Kay Inc. is announcing a new partnership with EverFi, a leading education technology company, to provide a first-of-its-kind digital healthy relationship curriculum to middle school classrooms.

The new digital educational platform will define strategies to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships. Through true-to-life scenarios, students will learn effective communications, conflict resolution and how to identify unhealthy behaviors. The course was developed in partnership with loveisrespect, a project of The Hotline and Break the Cycle and the ultimate resource to empower youth to prevent and end dating abuse. A select group of schools in Austin, Texas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Okla. will be the first to pilot Mary Kay’s digital program.

“This new partnership with EverFi will help reach young people at a critical age in an effort to end the cycle of abuse before it starts,” said Crayton Webb, Vice President of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility for Mary Kay Inc. “It is our hope at Mary Kay that teens will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to support healthy relationships for themselves and their friends and prevent abusive behavior from taking root.”

EverFi is the leading education technology organization focused on providing proven digital education for wellness and prevention. EverFi is dedicated to ending sexual assault and relationship violence, and is a partner for the White House’s nationwide “It’s On Us” initiative to end campus sexual assault. EverFi currently partners with more than 650 colleges and universities in addressing sexual assault and relationship violence through their leading online prevention platform, Haven – Understanding Sexual AssaultTM.

“Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is a call to action on the importance of unique partnerships to reach young people,” said Tammy Wincup, EverFi Chief Operating Officer. “Our collaboration with Mary Kay and loveisrespect, two leading voices in the effort to end dating abuse, demonstrates how critical it is to reach youth about the importance of healthy relationships and how to recognize the key signs of abusive ones.”

Mary Kay has a deep commitment to ending abuse and, alongside The Mary Kay FoundationSM, has given $50 million to domestic violence prevention and awareness programs. Mary Kay is also the lead sponsor of the nation’s first-ever text-based helpline operated by loveisrespect. By simply texting ‘loveis’ to 22522, teens and young adults are safely and anonymously connected to trained peer advocates who provide support, safety tips and referrals for their own relationships or a friend’s.

“Since partnering with Mary Kay, we have been able to expand our efforts to provide support for teens and young adults on nurturing safe and healthy relationships,” said Cameka Crawford, Chief Communications Officer for loveisrespect. “Now our digital footprint can grow once again as we support the creation of this new curriculum that will help middle school students be a part of the solution to end dating abuse.”

In partnership with loveisrespect, the sixth annual Mary Kay Truth About Abuse Survey explored how Americans’ understanding of domestic violence is changing, and gauged attitudes with respect to this evolving issue. The annual survey is part of Mary Kay’s “Don’t Look Away” campaign which works to educate the public on recognizing the signs of an abusive relationship, how to take action and to raise awareness for support services.

About Mary Kay
Irresistible products. Positive community impact. Rewarding opportunity. For more than 50 years, Mary Kay has offered it all. With 3.5 million Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants and $4 billion in global annual sales, Mary Kay is a top beauty brand and direct seller in more than 35 markets around the world. Discover what there is to love about Mary Kay by connecting with a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant at marykay.com.

About EverFi Inc.
EverFi, Inc. is the education technology innovator that empowers learners with the skills that prepare them to be successful in life and work. With backing from some of technology’s most innovative leaders including Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt and Twitter Founder Evan Williams, EverFi has built the most comprehensive critical skills learning platform with a particular focus on health and wellness issues, including sexual assault awareness. The EverFi Education Network is powered by over 1,200 partner organizations across all 50 states and Canada and has certified over 12 million students. Learn more at www.everfi.com.

About loveisrespect.org
Loveisrespect.org is the ultimate source of support, tools and services to help young people prevent and end dating abuse, inspiring them to create a culture of healthy relationships. The 24/7 chat, text and phone crisis services and vast library of information provide young people with options, answers and support every hour of every day. Break the Cycle and the National Dating Abuse Helpline designed the program specifically for young people, emphasizing confidentiality and trust to ensure teens nationwide feel safe and supported – online and off. Find out more at www.loveisrespect.org.

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications
marykay.com/newsroom
972.687.5332 or [email protected]

World Cancer Day: Focus on Food Safety

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SILVER SPRING, Maryland, Feb. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — February 4, 2016, is World Cancer Day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds cancer patients and survivors (and those preparing food for them) about the importance of safe food handling in preventing foodborne illness.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090824/FDALOGO

Learn about safe selection and preparation of foods for people with cancer in the free booklet Food Safety for People with Cancer:

Treatment of cancer typically involves chemotherapy, radiation, and/or medications. A side effect of these therapies as well as the chronic disease process may weaken patients’ immune systems, making them susceptible to foodborne illness (often called “food poisoning”).  If a person with cancer contracts a foodborne illness, he or she is also more likely to have a lengthier illness, undergo hospitalization, or even die.  This increased risk underscores the critical role safe food handling plays in managing this chronic disease.

Make Wise Food Choices

Some foods are more risky for people with cancer because they are more likely to contain harmful bacteria or viruses. In general, these foods fall into two categories:

  • Uncooked fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Certain animal products, such as unpasteurized (raw) milk; soft cheeses made with raw milk; and raw or undercooked eggs, raw meat, raw poultry, raw fish, raw shellfish and their juices; luncheon meats and deli-type salads (without added preservatives) prepared on site in a deli-type establishment.

Follow the Four Steps to Food Safety

Anyone who has cancer or who prepares food for a person with cancer should also follow these steps:

  1. CLEAN: Wash hands and surfaces often.  Bacteria can be spread throughout the kitchen and get onto hands, cutting boards, utensils, counter tops, and food.
  2. SEPARATE: Keep raw meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood and their juices away from ready-to-eat foods.
  3. COOK to the right temperatures.  Use a food thermometer to ensure meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products are cooked to a safe minimum internal temperature to destroy any harmful bacteria. Refer to the chart at http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/UCM462491.pdf
  4. CHILL foods promptly. Cold temperatures slow the growth of harmful bacteria. Use an appliance thermometer to be sure the refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees F or below and the freezer temperature is 0 degrees F or below.

Know the Symptoms

Consuming dangerous foodborne bacteria will usually cause illness within 1 to 3 days of eating the contaminated food. However, sickness can also occur within 20 minutes or up to 6 weeks later. Symptoms of foodborne illness include: vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and flu-like symptoms (such as fever, headache, and body ache).

Take Action

If you think that you or a family member has a foodborne illness, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Also, report the suspected foodborne illness to FDA in either of these ways:

Contact:  Media: 1-301-796-4540  Consumers: 1-888-SAFEFOOD (toll free)

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