American Cancer Society & Western Growers Announce Cancer Prevention Collaboration
Western Growers Commits $100,000 to Help Finish the Cancer Fight
LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Cancer Society's California Division and Western Growers announced today a first-time collaboration to raise awareness about cancer prevention tied to healthy eating choices and critically needed funds to help finish the fight. Western Growers has committed $100,000 over two years to help support American Cancer Society programs, services, advocacy and cancer research efforts.
"Research shows one-third of cancer deaths are linked to poor diet, physical inactivity and obesity," said David F. Veneziano, executive vice president, American Cancer Society California Division. "An alliance with Western Growers will only strengthen our work to raise awareness about the importance of making healthy food and lifestyle choices to help lower cancer risk."
American Cancer Society guidelines on diet, nutrition and cancer prevention emphasize maintaining a healthy weight throughout life, adopting a physically active lifestyle, and a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limited red meats and other high fat foods.
"Our farmers grow the best medicine in the world; healthy and nutritious foods that can help prevent and fight disease," said Tom Nassif, president and CEO, Western Growers. "We are very proud to join with the American Cancer Society in their efforts to prevent cancer. We know lifestyle choices play a huge part, including the kinds of food we choose to eat. As our farmers strive to grow more fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, we also strive to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet. The American Cancer Society is a natural partner in that effort."
In 2014, more than 171,000 Californians will be diagnosed with cancer and nearly 58,000 will die from the disease. Helping Californians of all ages achieve healthy eating habits is critical to reducing the rate of new cancer cases.
The American Cancer Society and Western Growers will collaborate on a variety of projects throughout the next two years to provide the public, and WG members and customers with early cancer detection and prevention information, as well as unique opportunities to participate in educational community events that raise awareness and funds to fight cancer.
About Western Growers
Founded in 1926, Western Growers is a trade association of local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona and California. Our members provide half the nation's fresh fruits and vegetables including a third of America's fresh organic produce. For generations we have provided variety and healthy choices as the first line of defense against obesity and disease. We grow the best medicine in the world.™ For more information call 949.863.1000 or visit www.wga.com.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/fight.
SOURCE Western Growers
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