The Amgen Foundation announced today that it will invest more than $4 million to support and strengthen the Amgen Biotech Experience program across the United States, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom and Ireland. The Amgen Biotech Experience includes an engaging series of labs that effectively bring biotechnology into classrooms. This new commitment will also strengthen the program’s alignment with the United States’ Next Generation Science Standards, which are focused on engaging students in more authentic science learning experiences. With the support of Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), the global nonprofit leading the Amgen Biotech Experience Program Office, the investment is expected to empower 1,000 teachers who will reach more than 150,000 new students with the labs over the next two years.
“We are very excited to extend our commitment to the Amgen Biotech Experience, a program that began 25 years ago, with the intent to ignite a deep passion for innovation and scientific discovery in students,” said Robert A. Bradway, chairman and chief executive officer of Amgen. “This program, which provides advanced biotech curriculum and professional-grade lab equipment at no cost to schools, has opened countless students’ eyes to the world of biotechnology, fueling potential long term advancements to both medicine and society.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7414055-amgen-biotech-experience-grant/
As the country celebrates the 45th anniversary of Earth Day, Dallas-based nonprofit Earth Day Texas gears up for its fifth annual event. Founded in 2011, the organization expects more than 75,000 attendees during the three-day event.
Earth Day Texas takes place April 24, 25 and 26 at historic Fair Park in Dallas.
Confirmed speakers include Karenna Gore, author and daughter of Al Gore; Bill White, former mayor of Houston; David Yarnold, president of the Audubon Society; Dan Patrick, Lt. Governor of Texas; B.A. Norrgard, Tiny House advocate; Laura Turner Seydel, chairperson of the Captain Planet Foundation; and Louie Psihoyos, Oscar®-winning director of The Cove.
Seven-time Grammy Award winner Paul Winter will perform on Saturday, April 25, at 4:30 p.m. Grammy nominated artist Michael Martin Murphey will perform on Sunday, April 26, at 4:45 p.m.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7500951-earth-day-texas/
Imagine being diagnosed with one of the most rare and aggressive forms of breast cancer, given a five percent chance to live and told having children will never be an option. Southern California local Kommah McDowell was told just that— and then she went to City of Hope.
It is estimated that almost 40 percent of men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer sometime during their lifetime. Kommah, who was diagnosed at age 29, now has her health and her son, thanks to discoveries made at City of Hope, where scientists and doctors turn laboratory breakthroughs into treatments that defeat cancer.
Today, the nonprofit research and comprehensive cancer center near Los Angeles is rolling out a new initiative that builds on its legacy of discovery to let people know that City of Hope not only offers a uniquely patient-centric, integrated approach to care, but also with the help of donors and volunteers, it is pursuing research that will change the future of medicine.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7665051-city-of-hope-miracle-science-soul-campaign/
Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISLE) today announced the winners of its second charitable social media contest awarding a share of $50,000 to five local nonprofit organizations.
Southern Heritage Air Foundation - $25,000 – Tallulah, Louisiana
Family and Youth Opportunities Division - $15,000 – Clarksdale, Mississippi
Fayette Community Service Organization - $5,000 – Fayette, Mississippi
Guttenberg Gallery & Creativity Center - $2,500 – Guttenberg, Iowa
Walking In The Sun Rescue - $2,500 – Collinston, Louisiana
“With over 69,000 votes cast in Community Aces Challenge and over 200 applications to participate, our second charitable social media contest has proven to be a wonderful way to give back to the communities where we operate,” said Virginia McDowell, Isle’s president and chief executive officer.
“The 123 participating nonprofit organizations registered in January and coordinated their own individual voting campaigns which ended on April 1,” said McDowell. “This year the winners offered a wide variety of missions – from getting fit in rural Mississippi to enhancing creativity of young people in Iowa. Our first place winner is dedicated to educating people about the history and impact of aviation and our second place winner is refurbishing an old school to become a community center.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7805451-isle-of-capri-casinos-community-aces-challenge/
Approximately half a billion people worldwide have correctable vision issues, but lack access to quality vision care. They are unable to see the words in a book or on a chalkboard and even more so to reach their potential and bring their goals and dreams into focus. As part of an ongoing effort to shine a spotlight on this issue and the importance of healthy, enhanced vision, Transitions Optical and vision care nonprofit OneSight have teamed up with GRAMMY® and CMA Award winning music artist Darius Rucker to launch a public service announcement aimed toward raising awareness and inviting others to join the cause at www.onesight.org.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7194751-transitions-optical-onesight-darius-rucker-make-dreams-come-true/
Ten years after her Blind Date With God began, Joycee is at peace with her past. She has forgiven the unfathomable and wants to share her story. Her book tells the good, bad and ugly truth of the healing process she walked through – bringing with it a strong message that anything is possible to overcome if we are willing to be honest with ourselves. It’s a riveting journey of forgiving herself and those who have harmed her. In the midst of her painful journey is where 414 Ministry was birthed. A nonprofit that empowers and equips victims to become thriving survivors for such a time as this. Find out more and get to know Joycee here- https://www.facebook.com/joyceereynolds/
Email her here – 414ministry@gmail.com
Find out more about 414 Ministry here- http://414ministry.wixsite.com/414ministry Non-Fiction/Christian
Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children from ages 1 to 19 in the U.S. Yet, childhood cancer research and services are vastly and consistently underfunded. This weekend, Northwestern Mutual financial professionals and employees will support the fight against childhood cancer through its nonprofit partner, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), by holding nearly 200 lemonade stands as part of the Foundation’s national fundraising initiative, Alex’s Lemonade Days (June 12-14).
Founded by Alex Scott (1996-2004) in 2004, Alex’s Lemonade Days is a three-day national event that grew out of Alex’s front yard lemonade stand. During Alex’s Lemonade Days, dedicated volunteers host thousands of Alex’s Lemonade Stands across the country, raising more than $1 million for childhood cancer research. June 2015 will mark the 12th Annual Lemonade Days, and will continue Alex’s mission to raise money one cup of lemonade at a time, renewing her idea that any contributor, at any age, can make a difference.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7422153-northwestern-mutual-lemonade-days/
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization that produces Sesame Street, and IBM (NYSE:IBM) today announced a collaboration to use IBM Watson’s cognitive computing technology and Sesame’s early childhood expertise to help advance preschool education around the world.
As part of a three-year agreement, Sesame Workshop and IBM will collaborate to develop educational platforms and products that will be designed to adapt to the learning preferences and aptitude levels of individual preschoolers. Research shows that a significant extent of brain development occurs in the first five years of a child’s life1, making this window critical for learning and development.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7724251-sesame-workshop-ibm-watson-early-childhood-education/
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a national nonprofit dedicated to reducing substance abuse among adolescents, today launched a new multimedia campaign for teens that illustrates some of the pressures they face, including peer pressure to drink and use drugs, issues with body image and bullying, among others. The “Who Controls You” campaign breaks this month and was created pro-bono by advertising agency, Hill Holliday and award-winning, social media influencer, Maris Jones, as part of the Partnership’s Above the Influence (ATI) teen program.
“We are incredibly proud of this work. We struck gold when Hill Holliday collaborated with Adolescent Media and Maris Jones to bring this campaign to life,” said Chief Marketing Officer for the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, Kristi Rowe. “Partnering with a young, talented social media influencer like Maris lent such a unique and authentic voice to this effort. Combining the extraordinary insight and passion of the Hill Holliday team with Maris’ distinct artistry brought an unexpected style to the campaign that makes this creative truly break through.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7103751-drug-free-partnership-who-controls-you/
Knoxville Zoo is now Zoo Knoxville, emphasizing its commitment to animals first and foremost. The new brand for East Tennessee’s beloved destination attraction is an expression of its core values: wildly fun on the outside, serious about animals on the inside. The launch of the zoo’s new brand is the culmination of extensive market research and reflects the nonprofit organization’s focus on delivering dynamic guest experiences while inspiring action for wildlife and wild places.
“We deliver an unforgettable guest experience. We’re wildly fun,” said Lisa New, president and CEO. “Zoo visitors love connecting with magnificent animals in natural habitats and enjoying facilitated fun. It’s about making lifetime memories with your kids.”
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7754151-knoxville-zoo-rebranding/
Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, was on hand last month as Blazing Hope Ranch, a nonprofit organization in Dayton, Tenn., that aids survivors of human trafficking, commemorated its new H.O.P.E. Haven facilities at a recent dedication ceremony.
H.O.P.E. -- Healing, Opportunity, Protection and Education -- Haven will serve as transitional living quarters for the survivors in the Blazing Hope Ranch program. In 2016 Vanderbilt Mortgage donated two modular homes previously used for company housing to Blazing Hope Ranch that currently make up H.O.P.E. Haven. The four bedroom, two bathroom homes will be used to house female survivors and live-in mentors while they go through the organization’s program.
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8011656-vanderbilt-mortgage-blazing-hope-ranch-opens-haven-houses/
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world’s leading voluntary non-profit dedicated to blood cancers, released 30 “proof points” - one for each day of September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month - to demonstrate its impact on the cancer landscape and progress towards a world without blood cancers.
LLS has invested more than $1 billion in research to advance breakthrough therapies and cures for blood cancer patients. In many cases, those treatments are now helping patients with other cancers and chronic diseases. Due to its focus on blood cancers, survival rates are improving. Since the early 1960s, five-year survival rates for many blood cancer patients have doubled, tripled and even quadrupled.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7554851-lls-blood-cancer-awareness-month/