CHEERIOS “SISTERS SAVING HEARTS” AWARDS $25,000 IN GRANTS TO
AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN AND ORGANIZATIONS
WORKING TO COMBAT HEART DISEASE
Author-Health Care Advocate Dr. Ian Smith Delivers Keynote Address
And Presents Awards to 2007 Honorees
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – June 2007
Five African-American women and their associated non-profit organizations were recently awarded Cheerios’ Sisters Saving Hearts Grants for their efforts to raise awareness about heart disease and the cardiovascular risk factors that disproportionately affect Black women. Heart disease is the leading cause of death among American women, particularly those of African heritage. In early 2007, Cheerios“, through its Circle of Helping Hearts campaign launched Sisters Saving Hearts, a three-year initiative and grant program to address the issue.
These grant recipients are being honored for their outstanding leadership and commitment in the fight against heart disease. Each honoree has dedicated their time and energy to provide education, develop programs and strategies that encourage healthy lifestyle choices to help lower the incidence of heart disease and its effects on the African-American community.
“General Mills is very committed to issues that affect women, especially those related to health. Our Sisters Saving Hearts grant recipients represent some of the extraordinary individuals who are working at a local level to help women of color combat heart disease, and improve overall health in communities across the country,” said Amy Sweeney, Associate Marketing Manager, Cheerios. Sweeney continued, “We applaud the commitment and dedication of these honorees, and we’re hopeful that the positive response and support that Cheerios Sisters Saving Hearts has received will inspire others to join the fight to eradicate this disease.”
“It gives me great pleasure to be here today to help Cheerios honor these remarkable women,” said Dr. Ian Smith, author, medical/diet expert for VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” and creator of the 50 Million Pound Challenge. Dr. Smith continued, “African-Americans are being afflicted with heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes at astonishing rates. It takes a grassroots effort, and the commitment of individuals like these honorees, to spread the message that proper nutrition and physical activity are the key to maintaining good health.”
The 2007 Cheerios Sisters Saving Hearts recipients:
Cynthia Brown (Honoree), Executive Director, New Hanover County Community Action (Grant Recipient) – Ms. Brown a resident of Wilmington, North Carolina was frustrated with the lack of health initiatives or programs in place to educate African-America women about heart disease or the related risk factors, including high-blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Ms. Brown believes that every woman regardless of social status, race ethnicity or income level deserves access to quality health care and health education to enhance the quality and length of her life. As a result, she enlisted the support of her agency’s board of directors to establish “From Our Hearts to Yours”, a signature health awareness initiative sponsored by New Hanover County Community Action, Inc. in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s School of Nursing, and the Wilmington North Carolina Chapter of the Links, Inc. The program provides women of color with the information and tools to live a heart healthy life.
Sharyn Dee Brown (Honoree), Founder, Perfecting Outreach Mission (Grant Recipient) – Sharyn Brown is the founder of Perfecting Outreach Mission, and through the organization, established “The Women’s Healthy Lifestyles Center” to educate African-American women about heart disease, its risk factors and the importance of overall wellness. The program provides monthly seminars that are designed to support and encourage participants with their health related goals. The organization regularly provides nutrition and physical fitness experts to help members develop strategies and habits to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The Fairfield County Chapter of Links, Inc. (Grant Recipient), Deborah Elam, President – Established in 1976, The Fairfield County Chapter of Links, Incorporated is a volunteer service organization of accomplished women who are making a difference locally by providing significant funding, direct programming and volunteers to community-based organizations throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut. In 2006, the organization launched “Your Link to Health” an initiative designed to raise awareness and address the unique health concerns that affect African-Americans and people of color across Fairfield County including: heart disease; obesity; diabetes; hypertension; lack of physical activity and poor nutrition. Through the program, the chapter is committed to linking health care resources to women of color, and continually seeks new avenues and solutions to minimize poor health issues within families.
∑ Yvonka Marie Hall (Honoree), Northeast Ohio Director, Cultural Health Initiatives, American Heart Association – Great Rivers Affiliate (Grant Recipient) – In February 2005, Yvonka Hall attended a Go Red For Women breakfast and noticed that she was one of only a few African-American women in attendance. Ms. Hall understood the importance of the heart health messages that were delivered during the event, and recognized the need to develop a heart disease awareness program that would appeal to African-American women. Later that year, she created “100 Sisters in Red” Matters of the Heart, an annual heart health awareness program and luncheon designed specifically to provide African-American women with relevant information and resources to help combat heart disease. Ms. Hall’s program in Cleveland has been so successful that heart health advocates in Youngstown and Akron, Ohio have established “100 Sisters in Red” programs.
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Judy Lubin (Honoree), Founder, Heart and Style Health Website- The Black Women’s Health Imperative (Grant Recipient) –Judy Lubin is president of Public Square Communications, a health communications and social marketing company that develops and manages innovative programs for reaching and empowering women, families and communities. She has served as an advisor and consultant to nationally recognized organizations and agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. She is an accomplished writer, advocate, businesswoman and women’s health and lifestyle expert. Through Heart and Style’s website, empowerment events and lifestyle coaching program, Judy inspires and empowers women to live a heart-inspired life. An effective fundraiser, she has built an impressive track record for raising money, awareness, and support for some of today’s most pressing women’s, health and social issues.
The 2007 Cheerios Sisters Saving Hearts recipients are the first to receive a grant through the initiative. The program is part of a three-year commitment launched through General Mills’ Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts® campaign to honor African-American women and organizations who are working to generate greater awareness of the risks of heart disease. Cheerios received nominations for individuals and organizations from across the United States, and winners were selected based on their creativity, quality of service, and reach/impact of their work on the community. Through the program, General Mills seeks to encourage individuals to do their part to combat heart disease at a grassroots level, and recognize those who are making a difference.
For more information on the Sisters Saving Hearts grants or to find out more about Cheerios and heart health, consumers can call 1-800-837-8804 or visitwww.sisterssavinghearts.com.
About General Mills
General Mills, with annual net sales of $12.5 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., General Mills’ mission is to innovate to make people’s lives healthier, easier and richer around the world. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills also is a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and
inside specially marked packages to these sites, Americans can direct up to $300,000 towards cholesterol screenings for communities of women in need. Cheerios and 8th Continent will donate an additional $200,000 to help raise awareness and provide education about the risk of women’s heart disease.
“General Mills is very committed to issues that affect women, especially those related to health,” explained Sara Rohland, Cheerios marketing. “Cheerios is the only leading cold cereal clinically proven to lower cholesterol. As such, we’re committed to educating and empowering consumers through the Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts campaign and initiatives like the Sisters Saving Hearts grants and continued sponsorship of organizations like WomenHeart.”
For more information on the Sisters Saving Hearts grants or to find out more about Cheerios and heart health, consumers can call 1-866-644-7714 or visit www.SistersSavingHearts.com.
About the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc.
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. (CBCF) was established in 1976 as a non-partisan, non-profit, public policy, research and educational institute intended to broaden and elevate the influence of African Americans in the political, legislative and public policy arenas.
About General Mills, Inc.
General Mills, with annual net sales of $13.4 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, General Mills’ mission is to innovate to make people’s lives healthier, easier, and richer around the world. Its global brand portfolio includes Cheerios and other Big G cereals, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Nature Valley, Yoplait and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills also is a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.
Contact:
Lauren Powell / Circulation Expertí / (914) 948-8144 / laurenp@experti.com
Kim Bow Sundy / General Mills / (763) 764-2591 / kim.bowsundy@genmills.com