More than 15 percent of reproductive-aged women have filled a prescription for an antidepressant medication during the years 2008–2013, according to a new analysis published today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
January is National Birth Defects Prevention Month and the CDC is working with the March of Dimes to raise awareness about the use of antidepressant medications by women of reproductive age, and what women should know and do for their own health and that of their babies. There is conflicting evidence about the potential link between some antidepressants and certain birth defects. Some commonly used antidepressants are sertraline (Zoloft), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), and citalopram (Celexa).
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7709851-march-of-dimes-antidepressant-pregnancy-study/
Imagine looking outside your home window and seeing a group of deer partying in your swimming pool or, in a twist on the Goldilocks children’s story, you found a bear has broken into your home and has been tasting the food left in your refrigerator? Scenarios similar to this are the basis of a new ad campaign launched by Farmers Insurance®, one of the nation’s largest insurer groups. The company’s new, We Know From Experience, advertising campaign kicks off today with two television spots and a new interactive website that humorously convey to consumers that Farmers, over its 87 year history, has helped customers recover from some of the most unique --- yet very real --- claims.
“The amazingly unlikely events we’ll be featuring in our new campaign are based on real claims experienced by our customers,” said Mike Linton, chief marketing officer for Farmers Insurance. “Through this new campaign we hope consumers realize that we know a thing or two about insurance and that our agents are ready to help consumers understand coverage options so consumers can select the coverages they want.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7585551-farmers-insurance-we-know-from-experience/
Actresses Shay Mitchell and Nina Dobrev are giving back this holiday season by starring in a month-long global philanthropic advertising campaign powered by IPG Mediabrands in support of Free The Children’s WE Are Stronger Together campaign. With the purchase of a $10 Rafiki bracelet, handmade with love by women in Kenya, a gift of impact is unlocked – water, healthcare, school supplies, healthy meals – helping to break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for Free The Children partner communities in Kenya, India, Ecuador, Haiti, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Nicaragua and rural China.
By wearing a Rafiki bracelet, available at we.org and select retail stores including Walgreens, PacSun and Nordstrom, North Americans have the opportunity to join Shay Mitchell and Nina Dobrev in making a statement that they are part of the WE movement – a generation who believes that together WE can change the world. Each Rafiki purchased has a unique code for consumers to enter online at trackyourimpact.com so they can track exactly in what Free The Children community a life-changing gift was given.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7722251-free-the-children-we-are-stronger-together/
The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to give thanks and to give back to youth who are facing challenges within our communities. In days of uncertainty, there are still people who are providing direction and mentoring to high-risk youth to help them succeed in spite of the unfortunate circumstances they may have encountered. Many studies indicate that a young person’s success can be greatly enhanced by an advocate or mentor — an adult who consistently helps a young person stay on track to graduate and make better life choices. Goodwill’s GoodGuides program is the source of many modern-day mentoring success stories.
The GoodGuides program provides mentoring to youth, ages 12–17, who are at risk of dropping out of school and/or falling into delinquency. The program helps them finish school, transition into the world of work and prepare for success by pairing them with trusted adult volunteer mentors. Mentors help youth overcome disadvantages such as failure in school due to poor grades or low attendance, or avoid delinquency due to issues such as abuse, disability, drug or alcohol dependence, family violence or gang membership.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7057252-goodwill-givegoodwill-campaign/
With the 125th Red Kettle Campaign well underway, donors and supporters of The Salvation Army have rallied in pursuit of a new way to give to those in need: by entering their #RedKettleReason video for a chance to win The Salvation Army’s first-ever Giving Spree Contest. After five finalist videos were selected, and tens of thousands of votes from the public, the results are in.
Fifteen-year old Maddie Bonocore from Overland Park, Kan. was named the winner, receiving a paid trip to New York City to shop for toys and necessities for a local Salvation Army children’s program. Maddie shopped for the Kansas City Children’s Shelter, which provides shelter care for children unable to remain in their homes due to a family crisis, or issues of abuse and/or neglect.
Actor, producer, musician and Salvation Army supporter Nick Cannon helped announce the contest and joined Maddie for the shopping event. Highlights from the event were featured on TODAY.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7612654-salvation-army-redkettlereason-winner/
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® officials and guests today marked the opening of the St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center, the first proton therapy center in the world dedicated solely to children with cancer.
Patients are now being treated at the center using precisely delivered, high-energy particles called protons to kill or shrink tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and organs. For patients with brain tumors and certain other cancers, research suggests proton beam therapy may be more effective than conventional radiation at preventing the growth and spread of tumors while reducing the risk of treatment-related side effects.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7713451-st-jude-proton-therapy-opening/
A rite of passage for many families is packing up the car and heading to a relative’s house to celebrate the holidays. Whether you’re flying part of the way or driving the entire distance, keeping the kids quiet and entertained is paramount to a stress-free trip. Just as important as going over your safety check list is packing your children’s favorite snacks, as well as activity bag chock full of mini board games, coloring books and puzzles. Wearing comfy clothes and bringing cozy blankets can also make a long (and sometimes COLD!) trip much more comfortable.
Travel expert and self-defined “über-busy working mom,” Amy E. Goodman is a pro when it comes to traveling with her family. She is available for live interviews to share with your viewers how to put together a stress-free, relaxing winter getaway – whether to the relative’s or a much needed winter escape!
Mighty, motorized micros! Playmates Toys announced today the launch of T-Sprints, an innovative new figure and wheels play pattern that goes beyond traditional vehicle play, available first at Toys“R”Us® stores nationwide for the month of December, and rolling out to additional retailers beginning in January. The highly stylized figures, which capture the personalities of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, each come with a different vehicle and feature a unique flywheel so kids can rev and send them sprinting into action.
“As the company behind the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line for decades, Playmates Toys continually strives to develop innovative new play patterns which allow fans to experience their favorite characters in unique and entertaining ways,” said Karl Aaronian, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Playmates Toys. “The T-Sprints collection offers fans a humorous, unique new experience, bringing the personalities of each Turtle to life in whole new way.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7404458-playmates-toys-t-sprints-toys-r-us-tmnt/
Today, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued a report card on President Obama's immigration efforts over the past seven years and made recommendations for how to reform immigration in his last year.
“In recent days and weeks he has shown leadership in protecting refugees from Syria,” said AILA President Victor Nieblas Pradis. “But until recently, the president's response was timid and he still plans to resettle only 10,000 Syrian refugees this year. He can save many more lives by setting his target at 100,000 Syrian refugees.”
“In our own hemisphere, when Central American individuals and families, including young children, arrived at our southern border seeking refuge from the horrific violence plaguing those countries, the president should have protected them, but instead, he treated them as a border threat. The president should acknowledge that the situation in Central America is a humanitarian crisis and use every tool at his disposal to protect those fleeing. Most important he should stop detaining thousands of families.”
“The reforms to the legal immigration system he promised a year ago have moved forward at a glacial pace, earning him an incomplete. He can benefit the economy enormously by implementing plans to encourage research, development and entrepreneurial start-ups.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7683151-aila-national-immigration-report-card/
Extended Stay America – one of the largest owner operated hotel chains in the U.S., announced an exclusive partnership with The Noerr Programs, the premier provider of authentic Santa Experiences to nearly 300 of America’s top shopping centers. Extended Stay America hotels was hand-selected by The Noerr Programs and Santa Claus himself, for its comfort and home-like conveniences, and named “Santa’s Official Hotel,” while he travels away from the North Pole in his seasonal tradition of listening to children’s holiday dreams and wishes this season.
“We’re excited to partner with The Noerr Programs and Santa Claus, to help light up the holiday for travelers,” said Chief Marketing Officer, Tom Seddon. “Santa has been staying with us for years. As an iconic symbol of kindness and generosity, we believe Santa is perfectly aligned with our brand’s personality and the spirit you’ll find in our associates. During the holidays it is easy for travelers to get caught in the frenzy of the season and often times become stressed with balancing it all. Our Extended Stay America family, with a little magical help from Santa, looks to help ease holiday woes through the best way we know how -- extending the creature comforts of home so that guests can focus on enjoying time with loved ones and creating lasting memories.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7617751-extended-stay-santa-s-official-hotel/
Today in Times Square, thousands of visitors joined actor and Operation Smile Ambassador Zachary Levi; celebrity photographer and USO Ambassador Nigel Barker; actress and United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up Ambassador Katherine McNamara; and Save the Children to kick off the “season of giving” with the free Donate a Photo app from Johnson & Johnson.
Visitors to the interactive giving experience learned how they can, literally, give back in a snap by turning something they do every day – taking a photo – into a way to raise funds and awareness for causes they care about. For every photo shared through the app, Johnson & Johnson donates $1 to one of its trusted non-profit partners, chosen by the user from a rotating list of causes.
Anyone can participate by downloading the Donate a Photo app from the Apple App Store or through Google Play. From there, it’s as simple as picking a cause to support, uploading a photo and sharing on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the handle @DonateaPhoto and #JNJ, #DonateaPhoto, #365DaysofCare or #DonateEveryday.
“Funds raised through Donate a Photo are just a small part of our long-standing commitment to caring for and supporting children and families around the world,” said Michael Sneed, Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs for Johnson & Johnson.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7263551-donate-a-photo-operation-smile/
The most detailed analysis yet of the role germline mutations in genes associated with cancer predisposition play in the development of childhood cancer suggests that comprehensive genomic screening may be warranted on all pediatric cancer patients, not just those with a family history of cancer. The study from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – Washington University Pediatric Cancer Genome Project appears in the November 19 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Ultimately, researchers anticipate that systematic monitoring of patients and family members who have germline mutations in cancer predisposition genes will allow the detection of cancers at their earliest and most curable stage, thereby improving the outcomes for these children and family members.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7692851-st-jude-hospital-genome-project/