WomenHeart Educational Programs and Support Services Benefit from $1.1 Million Donation from the Second Annual Burlington Coat Factory Red Dress Event

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease announced today a generous donation of $1,110,928 from the national off-price retailer, Burlington. These funds were generated as a result of the retailer's 2^nd Annual Red Dress Event. For the second consecutive year, from February through Easter, customers in all Burlington locations had the opportunity to purchase a red dress icon for $1 or more at check-out, as well as shop for a dress and Burlington would donate $1 for every dress purchased to show their support for the cause.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130513/DC13164)

Burlington's significant donation will advance WomenHeart's free support services and educational programs for women living with heart disease in communities throughout the country. It will also enable the organization to continue to support and educate Hispanic women – a high risk population for heart disease – through its new Para la Mujer Hispana initiative, made possible by funds raised during Burlington's first Red Dress Event in 2012.

"WomenHeart is so grateful to Burlington and its customers for the outpouring of support for women living with heart disease! Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in women, but with this generous support we will be able to expand our reach and save more lives!" said Lisa M. Tate, Chief Executive Officer of WomenHeart.

"Burlington and our generous customers have risen to the occasion once again in support of our second annual women's heart health initiative in partnership with WomenHeart," said Thomas Kingsbury, president and chief executive officer. "Once again, we set out to raise funds to further educate women on the importance of their heart health and to increase awareness that heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, and I am so proud to have accomplished our goals."

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation's only patient centered organization serving the 43 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death for women. WomenHeart is solely devoted to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education, and the nation's only patient support network for women living with heart disease. WomenHeart is both a coalition and a community of thousands of members nationwide, including women heart patients and their families, healthcare professionals, and health advocates, all committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives. To join or donate, visit www.womenheart.org.

Burlington is a national off price retailer offering brand name merchandise for the entire family and the home with up to 65 percent off department store prices every day. Departments include ladies' dresses, suits, sportswear, juniors, accessories, menswear, family footwear and children's clothing. It also includes an assortment of furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home decor and gifts, along with the largest selection of coats in the nation for the entire family. Burlington was founded in 1972 and has expanded from a single store selling coats, to a multi-department retail chain with more than 500 stores in 44 States and Puerto Rico.  For more, visit www.BurlingtonCoatFactory.com

SOURCE WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women With Heart Disease

View the original article here

Lung Cancer Alliance Congratulates American College of Chest Physicians for Reaffirming Benefit of Lung Cancer Screening for Those at High Risk

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) congratulated the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) for reaffirming its support for lung cancer screening for those at risk. This is in response to ACCP's publishing of a special supplement to its May issue of CHEST, ACCP's peer-reviewed journal, which cites evidence that CT screening, through a structured protocol, can reduce lung cancer deaths among high risk individuals. 

In November 2010, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) announced that its National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) was being halted because it had scientifically proven the mortality benefit of CT screening for those at risk for lung cancer. Since then, seven national medical societies have followed with screening guideline recommendations.  

In February 2012, LCA launched the National Framework of Lung Cancer Screening Excellence and Continuum of Care  to advise the public of its rights, to lay out the principles of responsible screening and commit to a continuous improvement process through the collection of data on outcomes.

To date, over 130 medical centers have adopted the National Framework or have been identified as following its best practices in cancer care including a multidisciplinary team approach. LCA is working to bring over 50 additional medical centers and their multidisciplinary teams into this network.

"This is not the time or place for fear mongering as lives hang in the balance," said Laurie Fenton Ambrose, President and CEO of LCA. "Medical professionals are doing their part and providing high quality responsible screening—some at little or no cost to help ease or eliminate barriers to access particularly for our most vulnerable populations."

"The federal government must now do the same. It is unconscionable that it has not acted with greater expediency given the strength of the scientific evidence and the magnitude of lung cancer's impact," she continued.

"We commit to remaining at the forefront in calling for responsible lung cancer screening and in securing coverage pursuant to the Affordable Care Act, by Medicare and Medicaid, and by commercial health plans," concluded Fenton Ambrose.

About Lung Cancer Alliance

Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA), www.lungcanceralliance.org, is committed to ending injustice and saving lives through an alliance of advocacy, education, and support. LCA provides live, professional support, referral and information services for patients, their loved ones and those at risk for lung cancer; advocates for multiple millions in public health dollars for lung cancer research; and conducts national awareness campaigns.

Follow Lung Cancer Alliance on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lungcanceralliance. Follow us on Twitter: @LCAorg.

Media Contact:
Kay Cofrancesco
202-742-1422
kay@lungcanceralliance.org

SOURCE Lung Cancer Alliance

View the original article here