March 23, 2005

‘CANCER CRUSADER’ TO BE INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL COALITION

PROVO , Utah — Spring is here, which is good news for the Cancer Crusaders Organization (a.k.a. the Utah Cancer Crusaders).

The Organization’s co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Danielle White will accept the invitation to be inducted as a member of the National Coalition for Sun Safety. She will officially accept the honor, on behalf of the Cancer Crusaders Organization, at the semi-annual conference of the American Academy of Dermatology in New York City on May 2, 2005. The National Coalition for Sun Safety, under the direction of the AAD, is comprised of doctors and health educators. White follows in the footsteps of fellow Utahn, Natalie Camille Johnson, in being invited to join the National Coalition for Sun Safety. Johnson, who is the original creator of the national Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon symbol, was inducted while serving as Miss Utah 2002-2003. Johnson will be the invited guest speaker for “Melanoma Monday” which will kick off the conference.

“To be recognized by the American Academy of Dermatology for your efforts is actually quite humbling to say the least,” White says. “I know that the AAD only works the best of the best; they are the premiere organization for dermatological education, and to be affiliated with them is an honor.”

Earlier this year, the Cancer Crusaders Organization was nominated for the prestigious “Gold Triangle Award” for their efforts on behalf of skin cancer prevention education, and for introducing the national Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon symbol. The “Gold Triangle Awards” –hosted by the AAD—are awarded to individuals and organizations who demonstrated committed excellence on behalf of education, service, advocacy, and medical advancements in the field of dermatology and environmental health. The Cancer Crusaders Organization launched a five-year campaign—“Only Skin Deep?”—to initiate and implement effective skin cancer prevention across the globe that is targeted at college-aged students. As a result, the Organization recently formed a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency in working on their Sun-Wise program which targets K-12 graders. The Organization has also teamed-up with SunSmart Clothing, LLC. (based in Pleasant Grove, Utah). SunSmart Clothing, LLC., is the premiere provider of sun protective clothing that blocks out a proven 97.5% of UV rays.

“Spring must be her time of the year,” says friend Amy Merrill, who is a student at BYU. “Danielle [and the other members of the Cancer Crusaders Organization] have been working so hard for a long time now, and it their efforts have been paying off now. New developments are constantly coming about right now.” Merrill’s older sister, Margaret (also a BYU student), serves as an education program director for the Cancer Crusaders Organization. White’s take on it is that the culprit behind recent growth is due to a “collaborative team effort.”

“When you’re working with people you love and respect—people who are not only talented and intelligent, but are purely motivated by the cause at-hand, the likeliness that you will achieve a level of success significantly increases,” she says. “I am fortunate that my friends have been 110% supportive; they lend their time, skills, and passion toward this crusade.” White adds, “Cancer has been the reason behind some of my darkest moments, at the same time has been the culprit behind some of my greatest blessings.” White was also recognized, recently, by UTAH VALLEY Magazine as part of their “Tucano’s Top 10.”

With that said, the Cancer Crusaders Organization, in partnership with SunSmart Clothing, will be hosting an upcoming conference. The “Only Skin Deep?” Skin Cancer Prevention Education Conference will be held at Corporate Alliance in Provo on May 23 @ 12:00 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Stonewall, the Executive Director of the State Department Health. Special conference guests include Tiffany Berg of Succeeding Gracefully and the current Miss Utah Amy Davis. For more information, please call 801.863.6351.

January 28, 2005

UCC nominated for prestigious “Gold Triangle Award” for Skin Cancer Prevention

PROVO , Utah —Just after the Cancer Crusaders Organization celebrates its first anniversary as a solidified 501 [c] [3] service corporation, they have another reason to celebrate.

The Cancer Crusaders Organization (a.k.a. the Utah Cancer Crusaders) was recently nominated for the prestigious Gold Triangle Award by the American Academy of Dermatology for their “Only Skin Deep?” Skin Cancer Prevention Education Campaign and for introducing the new, official national ribbon symbol for Skin Cancer Awareness. The AAD recognizes select individuals and organizations that have demonstrated committed excellence in dermatology education and health promotion.

“It is simply incredible what a small group of individuals can do,” says Danielle White, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Crusaders Organization. “We are amazed by this recognition, and hope that it will enable us to better combat the world’s most common cancer.”

The Cancer Crusaders Organization launched the “Only Skin Deep?” Campaign in 2004, and will continue it until 2009. The campaign objectives include broad-based promotion of the Skin Cancer Awareness ribbon symbol, and global implementation of effective skin cancer prevention education curriculum. Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, but also the most preventable, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. In fact, Utah’s national risk for the disease is the highest in the nation.

“An American’s lifetime risk for skin cancer is 1 in 75, whereas in Utah it is 1 in 52,” White says. “We aim to encourage Utahns to be more proactive about sun safety, regular sunscreen usage, and other proven effective prevention measures, and with that improve the overall quality of life.”

The Cancer Crusaders Organization will host a public Q&A session about their program and about the award nomination at their second annual “Only Skin Deep?” Skin Cancer Prevention Education Conference on Monday May 23 @ 12:00 NOON at Corporate Alliance in Provo. For more information, call 801.863.6351 or send an email to: info@cancercrusaders.org

January 7, 2005

AGENCIES PARTNER TO "BEEF UP" MEN'S HEALTH PROGRAMS

PROVO, Utah--Ladies, do you have a special man in your life? If so, bring him to "The Bottom-line" Men's Health Day. The Cancer Crusaders Organization, in partnership with the Central Utah Multi-Specialty Clinic, and the Consumer Patient Advocacy Group, will be hosting the event Thursday January 27, 2005 at the Utah County Health Department. There will be information booths from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., a special brown bag lecture featuring keynote speaker Kermit Heid, co-chair of the Consumer Patient Advocacy Group, at 12-NOON. An "Ask the Experts" Panel Discussion will follow Heid's presentation at 1:00 p.m.

According to the Utah Department of Health, only about 30% of men in Utah County regularly use sunscreen to prevent skin cancer, of which Utah's risk is the highest in the nation. In fact, it is expected that more than 500 Utahns will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, alone. Every hour someone dies from skin cancer. While skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world, with more than 1.3-million new cases each year, it is also the most preventable if one is proactive.

The event, spearheaded by prostate cancer survivor Kermit Heid, was organized in conjunction with local health education agenices as a means to better encourage young men to seek preventative care and to actively participate in regular cancer screenings. "For some reason, men tend to wait to see the doctor as long as possible, only going when there is a problem," Heid said. "Unfortunately, this sort of thinking isn't conducive for early cancer detection. Many health problems could likely be avoided, if men would be more proactive about preventative care. We need the ladies to help us take better care of our health."

While a great emphasis will be given to cancer screenings (paticularly for skin, prostate, testicular, and colon), other health-related issues will also be addressed. The Utah County Health Department will have information booths addressing public health issues such as insurance coverage, and Student Health Services from Utah Valley State College will be on-hand to answer questions about mental health and wellness. "Health is all-encompassing. It is about taking care every aspect of your life--your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being are all essential to good health and quality of life," said Danielle White, founder and CEO of the Cancer Crusaders Organization.

For more information about "The Bottom-line" Men's Health Day, or to reserve an information booth (limited booth space is available), please contact the event chair Margaret Merrill at the Cancer Crusaders Organization at 801.368.6584 or at margaret@byu.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tiffany Alleman,
Utah Cancer Crusaders (801) 863-6351