BODY WORLDS: PULSE Partners with the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network & the New York City Coalition for a Smoke-free City as Marquee Venue for Annual Great American Smokeout

NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BODY WORLDS: Pulse—the international health and anatomy exhibition currently on display at Discovery Times Square—is proud to announce its partnership with and support of the American Cancer Society (Society), American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and the NYC Coalition for a Smoke-Free City (Coalition) in celebrating the Society's 38^th annual Great American Smokeout.   

The Society's Great American Smokeout was started to encourage tobacco users to make a plan to quit. Research shows strong tobacco control legislation, including comprehensive smoke-free laws, increased tobacco taxes and funding for tobacco prevention and cessation programs, are the most effective ways prevent smoking initiation and to help people quit tobacco. Great strides have been made in reducing the burden of tobacco in New York State.  Unfortunately, diminished funding for New York State's tobacco prevention and cessation programs threatens this progress. The organizations are joining forces to help smokers kick the habit and underscore the need for these programs.  Further, ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, is calling on elected officials to increase funding to New York State's Tobacco Control Program (TCP). The TCP is a proven program that works to save lives, reduce disease, keep kids from using tobacco and reduce healthcare costs associated with smoking.  However, essential funding for the program has been slashed by 50 percent in the last six years. 

"New York State once led the nation in funding for tobacco control, but lately we've fallen short," said Michele Bonan, regional director of advocacy for ACS CAN. "New York's Tobacco Control Program has endured crippling cuts in funding.  Meanwhile, smoking rates are stagnant and tobacco continues to kill 25,000 New Yorkers annually. We must significantly increase funding before these numbers grow even higher."

"There are still over 100,000 high school students who smoke in New York State and nearly 20,000 kids become new daily smokers every year," said Sheelah Feinberg, Executive Director of the Coalition. "We hope all New Yorkers come to the BODY WORLDS exhibit and see how smoking affects their bodies. Quitting smoking is the single most important step you can take to reduce your risk of cancer. We urge smokers—especially our youth---to take advantage of all the resources available today for the Great American Smokeout and give quitting a chance."

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in this country. By quitting smoking, a person can add up to 10 years onto their life and reduce greatly their risk of smoking-related diseases. Marie Wilkins, a smoker for 40-years, began smoking in high school. After years of attempting to unsuccessfully quit, she was diagnosed with Buerger's disease, a disorder linked to tobacco use. Over time, parts of Marie's body, such as her feet, fingertips and lower legs, required amputation. She joined the Society, ACS CAN, and Coalition at BODY WORLDS to discuss her experience.

"There was no way that I would have known that at 42, they were going to amputate my leg," said Marie Wilkins. "That's the chance you take when you smoke cigarettes and get addicted. Maybe my experience will make people stop and think before they light up." 

Throughout November 2013, the BODY WORLDS: Pulse exhibition will have a free display, in the main lobby of Discovery Times Square, of the lungs of smoker and a non-smoker side-by-side.  This dramatic installation shows the ravages of smoking on the human body.  Next to the display, smokers will find pledge cards to declare, "I Quit" and a receptacle for ditching that last pack of cigarettes.

"Unlike shocking photographs and wrenching videos of the hazards of smoking, this display is a profound, powerful, and yet subdued message from beyond the grave. The two donors have left this legacy to those who wish to receive it," said Dr. Angelina Whalley, Director of the Institute for Plastination and BODY WORLDS. 

BODY WORLDS is an international anatomical science exhibition that displays preserved human bodies through a process called Plastination, which reveals inner anatomical structures. The exhibit, BODY WORLDS: Pulse, which consists of more than 200 specimens transformed through Plastination, highlights the challenges the body faces while navigating the 21^st century, and is now open at Discovery Times Square.

SOURCE BODY WORLDS