American Cancer Society to Launch Choose You Movement to Help Women Take Action to Prevent Cancer

NEW YORK, May 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Cancer Society, the nation's largest voluntary health organization, today will launch a new nationwide movement to shine the spotlight on a sobering statistic: one in three women will get cancer in her lifetime. Choose You (www.ChooseYou.com) is designed to inspire women to take action and put their health first in order to stay well and help prevent cancer.

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Actress Ellen Pompeo, star of "Grey's Anatomy", will kick off the American Cancer Society's Choose You initiative this morning at 9:30 a.m. EDT at an event in Times Square, along with national presenting sponsors Sprite Zero and Walgreens. Pompeo will "power up" the Choose You flower icon on the world's largest digital sign, the Walgreens Times Square Billboard. The event will mark the start of the nationwide effort to encourage women across the country to do something they almost never do – to "choose themselves first" so they can stay well and reduce their risk of cancer.

As a busy actress, wife and new mom, Pompeo knows firsthand how important it is for women to put their health first. "My daily schedule is quite hectic, but I have to put my health first in order to be the best mom and wife I can be," said Pompeo. "Choose You offers a powerful new platform to help women adopt healthy lifestyle choices to help prevent cancer."

According to the American Cancer Society, about half of all cancer deaths could be prevented if people maintained a healthy weight through diet and regular exercise; avoided tobacco products; and got recommended cancer screening tests. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to incorporate these healthy behaviors into a busy lifestyle. In fact, a new national survey of approximately 2,000 women ages 25-64 revealed that they are so busy being caretakers of others, they have little time to take care of their own health.

"Women hold the keys to cancer prevention because they are the Chief Medical and Chief Operating Officers of their individual households. But they really struggle to make their own health a priority," said Elizabeth T.H. Fontham, M.P.H., Dr.P.H., immediate past volunteer president of the American Cancer Society. "We are launching Choose You to help motivate women to prioritize their health and engage in lifestyle behaviors that can help reduce their cancer risk. By committing to their health, these women will be better able to care for their families and serve as role models for their children, families, and friends."

Findings from the American Cancer Society's 2010 Choose You Survey

In March 2010, the American Cancer Society conducted a national online survey of approximately 2,000 U.S. females ages 25-64 to examine women's health behaviors and needs. According to the survey, women want better health, but fall short of achieving it. The survey found that 95 percent of women feel the need to improve their health, yet approximately three out of five women put others' health before their own. When it comes to women's specific health behaviors, the survey reveals some eye-opening findings:

• 90 percent say they fall short of eating a healthy diet
• 85 percent don't get the minimum daily exercise of 30 minutes a day, five days a week recommended by the U.S. government
• 76 percent don't always protect their skin from the sun

When asked to pick one day to focus on themselves and their health each year, the majority of women (65 percent) chose their birthday. By empowering women with the tools and resources to take care of themselves and help prevent cancer, the Choose You movement is another way the American Cancer Society -- the official sponsor of birthdays -- is helping to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

The Choose You Commitment

As part of the Choose You movement, women are encouraged to sign a Choose You Commitment, an online pledge to reach a specific, individual health goal. At ChooseYou.com, women 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 women who have a "stake in the game", as well as social support from friends and family are more likely to be 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.

Marketing Support for Choose You

National sponsor Sprite Zero will launch new advertising to raise awareness of the Choose You initiative. The new digital and billboard ads will appear across the country starting in May and will feature the tagline, "The Choice Is Clear", with information on the brand's zero sugar and no caffeine benefits. Sprite Zero is also supporting the Choose You launch through product sampling and couponing.

"The Coca-Cola Company is committed to helping our consumers live positively by supporting programs and providing innovations in beverages and packaging that encourage healthy lifestyle choices," said Katie Bayne, president and general manager, Sparkling Beverages, The Coca-Cola Company.  "With zero sugar and zero caffeine, Sprite Zero is another great choice for people making a Choose You pledge."

National sponsor Walgreens, through its stores nationwide, will be offering discounts on products to help women live well and put their health first. Additionally, throughout the month of May, Walgreens customers will have the opportunity to support Choose You with a "scannable" donation at check-out.  

"As a neighborhood health care resource for millions every day, Walgreens is proud to support a movement that inspires women to achieve their health goals," said Kim Feil, vice president and chief marketing officer, Walgreens. "We have a longstanding commitment to empowering women and families with the tools and guidance to help them lead healthy, active lives. With our army of more than 70,000 health care providers in communities across the nation, we serve as an accessible, knowledgeable source of overall wellness and prevention information 365 days a year."

Choose You Day

On May 12, large employers around the country will be participating in Choose You Day, and will encourage their employees to pledge a $5 donation to the lifesaving work of the Society. The employees will also be encouraged to take 30 minutes during the workday to focus on their own personal health. Employees can choose to take a walk, attend a yoga class or participate in a program provided by employers.

For more information about the Choose You movement, log on to ChooseYou.com.

About the American Cancer Society

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; 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, about 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 any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

SOURCE American Cancer Society