Apolo Anton Ohno And Teva Respiratory Announce Finalists In National EIB All Stars™ Contest

NORTH WALES, Pa., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Apolo Anton Ohno and Teva Respiratory have announced ten finalists in the EIB All Stars contest, part of a national awareness campaign celebrating the determination and accomplishments of people living with exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB).  EIB is an underdiagnosed condition affecting an estimated 30 million Americans, which causes the airways in the lungs to temporarily narrow during or after aerobic exercise, making it difficult to breathe.

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As part of his involvement in the campaign, Ohno is asking the public to visit www.EIBAllStars.com and vote for the EIB story that they find most inspiring. The finalist's story receiving the most votes will win a trip for two to Los Angeles to meet with Ohno.

People living with EIB, their family members and caregivers submitted personal stories about how EIB has affected their lives to www.EIBAllStars.com. A panel of healthcare professionals, athletic trainers, and EIB advocates evaluated all submissions and selected ten finalists based on presentation, creativity and inspiration. The finalists and highlights of their stories include:

• Brijet Finister from Stockton, CA is a college track athlete and professional cheerleader
• Darcie Moloshock from Ambler, PA is an avid ice skater and recreational cyclist
• Heidi Hecker from Merrick, NY nominated her son, an all-around high school varsity athlete
• Linda Piotrowski from Rogers, AR nominated her daughter, a champion swimmer
• Lisa Bashford from Fort Wayne, IN is an energetic mother of two who enjoys running competitively
• Lora Orme from Lake Monticello, VA a motivated and health-oriented gym owner
• Monica Hawkins from Webster Groves, MO nominated her daughter, an avid runner, skier and racquetball champion
• Robert Stranahan from Colonie, NY is a stand-out college student pursuing a degree in physical education
• Sandi Hulst from Gladbrook, IA is an active grandmother who enjoys running and cycling
• Zachary Mulhaul from Wayne, NJ is a college student and determined soccer player

"Exercise is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, and for those diagnosed with EIB, symptoms of the condition may discourage them from participating in aerobic sports like soccer and basketball, or exercises such as running, swimming or cycling," said Dr. Jonathan Parsons, Associate Director of the Ohio State University Asthma Center and contest judge. "The EIB All Stars contest finalists demonstrate that with a proper diagnosis and treatment plan, people living with EIB can fully engage in their favorite activities with less concern that the condition will force them to sit on the sidelines."

One winner will be named the 2013 EIB All Star based on public voting. Voting is open to all U.S. citizens at www.EIBAllStars.com now through May 10, 2013 11:59 p.m. EDT.  Please visit the site to learn more about the finalists and to view full voting rules and regulations. The winner of public voting will be announced on www.EIBAllStars.com on or around May 20, 2013.

About Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm (EIB)

Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) is a temporary narrowing of the airways during or after exercise that can make it difficult to breathe. EIB is a treatable condition that may be triggered by breathing in air that is cooler and drier than the air in your lungs. Common symptoms of EIB include shortness of breath, chest tightness, trouble getting a deep breath, wheezing or noisy breathing, coughing, and decreased exercise endurance.  An individual with EIB can experience one or more of these symptoms during or immediately following physical activity. EIB can impact exercise performance and people with EIB may become discouraged, frustrated or embarrassed and reduce or eliminate physical activity from their lifestyle. While the symptoms are similar, EIB is different from asthma. EIB symptoms are temporary and may be triggered by aerobic activity, while asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation of the large and small airways. Overall, it is estimated that EIB affects about 80-90 percent of children and adults with asthma, and an estimated over 30 million people in the United States.

About Apolo Anton Ohno

Apolo Anton Ohno is the most decorated American winter athlete of all-time. He was the youngest-ever U.S. short-track speed skating National Champion at the age of 14 and went on to become a 12-time National Champion.  He is the top American in the sport and the face of the short-track speed skating globally.  He is one of only four Americans to have won three medals in a single winter international games. Since making history on the ice in Vancouver in 2010, Ohno has transitioned his athleticism to competing in and winning one of America's most watched reality shows, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," with his then partner, Julianne Hough. Their performances during Season 4 of the hit reality show remain some of the most talked about performances in the show's long-standing history, earning him the opportunity to compete in the first "All-Star Cast" of "Dancing with the Stars" in the fall of 2012. Today, Ohno continues to transcend beyond sport as he launches a successful career in broadcasting, first as an on-air reporter for NBC during the 2012 Olympic Games in London and now as the host of the game show, "Minute to Win It," which will begin airing in the summer of 2013. A professional speaker and The New York Times best-selling author of the book, "Zero Regrets," Ohno travels the globe delivering his "Zero Regrets" presentation and philosophy towards all aspects of life – to audiences around the world.

About the EIB All Stars Coalition
The EIB All Stars Coalition is comprised of Teva Respiratory and three advocacy partners that have demonstrated their commitment to public awareness of EIB and other respiratory conditions: Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA).The EIB All Stars Coalition was formed in an effort to further EIB education and understanding through outreach to each organization's memberships, publications, advocacy and community events. Additional information about their missions and services can be found on their individual websites: www.aanma.org, www.aafa.org and www.nata.org.

About Teva Respiratory
Teva Respiratory is the U.S.-based respiratory subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA). Teva Respiratory's core focus on safety, quality and customers has produced some of the most successful treatment options for people with asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and seasonal and year-round nasal allergy symptoms.  For more information on Teva Respiratory and its products, visit www.tevarespiratory.com.

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