EHE International Showcases Bachmann-Strauss Foundation's Dystonia and Parkinson's Disease Awareness Campaign at Rockefeller Center

NEW YORK, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire – The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation will be featured in a large window display at 10 Rockefeller Center throughout the month of September, showcasing its call to action—"Help Raise Awareness and Get Proper Care."  This opportunity to inform the public about dystonia, a debilitating movement disorder affecting some 500,000 men, women and children in North America, was made possible by a generous donation from EHE International. 

"EHE International is America's oldest and largest health organization dedicated to proactive management of health.  We are happy to donate our window to an organization that is raising awareness about dystonia and Parkinson's disease, which aims to get patients the best possible care," said Deborah KcKeever, President of EHE International.  "Together, we hope to spread awareness and promote education about this disease, and help save lives."

Dystonia causes painful, uncontrollable spasms, twisting movements and irregular postures, affecting many parts of the body. Because few physicians are familiar with the symptoms of dystonia, many patients suffer for years before getting a diagnosis. Dystonia has a close connection to Parkinson's disease, which affects 6 million people worldwide. Some 40% of people with Parkinson's disease also have dystonia.

The window exhibit will present facts and statistics about dystonia and Parkinson's disease as well as descriptions of everyday challenges facing dystonia sufferers.  It will also demonstrate the Foundation's commitment to supporting research to develop improved therapies and cures. A large television monitor will outline how different types of dystonia affect various parts of the body and how dystonia, compared to other movement disorders, lacks awareness and research funding.  The window display was designed and installed by Fashion Institute of Technology alumnus Sean Madden (Visual Presentation and Exhibit Design).  We would like to acknowledge Mr. Madden's time and commitment to this project.

The call to action includes a special invitation for patients: "We're Here to Help…Get World-Class Care at One of Our Dystonia and Parkinson's Disease Centers of Excellence." These centers, established with grants of $400,000 each from the Foundation, bring together multidisciplinary teams to provide patients with coordinated care in a single location. The centers are located at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York; the University of Alabama at Birmingham; the University of California, San Francisco; and the University of Florida in Gainesville. For more information, visit www.dystonia-parkinson.org/centers.

"I am thrilled that our Foundation was given this opportunity to bring attention to dystonia and its connection to Parkinson's disease," said Foundation President Bonnie Strauss. "Our biggest goal is to raise awareness about dystonia and Parkinson's disease so patients can be diagnosed and treated earlier to obtain the best care possible. We're also strongly committed to raising much-needed funds for research to ultimately find a cure."

Editor's Note: Hi-res images of the window display art are available upon request.

About The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation 
The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation is an independent, nonprofit, 501©(3) organization established in 1995 by Louis Bachmann (1916-2000) and Bonnie Strauss to find better treatments and cures for the movement disorders dystonia and Parkinson's disease and to provide medical and patient information. The Foundation funds scientific and clinical research and helps raise awareness of dystonia and Parkinson's disease among the general public and the medical community.  For more information, visit www.dystonia-parkinson.org.

About EHE International
EHE International is celebrating over 100 years as the recognized leader in preventive medicine with the release of a new book, 100 Years of Preventive Health: The History of EHE International.  Established in 1913, EHE International is America's largest and most experienced preventive medicine specialist and the preferred choice among employers for the prevention and early detection of disease and associated risk factors.  For more information, contact EHE International, 10 Rockefeller Plaza, 4^th Floor, New York, New York 10020; 212.332.3700; visit www.eheintl.com. 

Contact:
Nicholas Danielides
Danielides Communications, Inc.
(212) 319-7566
[email protected]

Christina Pepi
The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation, Inc.
(212) 682-9900
[email protected]

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SOURCE The Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation