Video: New Children's Storybook Helps Parents Teach Their Children With Asthma About Their Condition

Schering-Plough partners with the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics to tell the delightful story of "Breathless Bethany Buttercup"




KENILWORTH, N.J., March 24, 2009 /PRNewswire/ — Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children, with approximately 6.8 million children currently with asthma in the United States.1,2 It accounts for almost 13 million missed school days each year and is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among those younger than 15 years of age.3,4 With statistics like these, a diagnosis of asthma can often be daunting for parents and children. Parents often struggle with the best way to talk to their children about asthma, and many children with asthma report a desire not to be treated differently from other children.5 To help parents speak with their children about asthma and support children coping with their disease, Schering-Plough Corporation has partnered with the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) to develop a fun, yet educational, storybook, Breathless Bethany Buttercup, that uses a little girl's story about her experience with asthma to provide information about asthma management.

"When my daughter, Danielle, was first diagnosed with asthma, I was in need of a way to help me talk to her about the condition and the importance of using medication to help her feel better," said Julie Driggers of Omaha, Nebraska. "It is great to see that there is now an informative resource like this storybook available for children. This storybook also conveys the seriousness of asthma and highlights the importance of working with your doctor to develop an asthma action plan."

Some children find it difficult to accept an asthma diagnosis, which makes the role of a parent all the more vital. According to a 2007 study published in the journal Pediatric Nurse, it is important for parents to talk to a physician about ways to build their child's self-confidence and prevent them from feeling stigmatized when they display difficulty coping with their asthma.6 Parents should also monitor their child's asthma and continue to work with their child's physician to determine an appropriate asthma management plan.7

"We're excited to collaborate with Schering-Plough on the development of an asthma storybook for children," said Nancy Sander, founder and president of the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics. "The number one reason why parents call our organization is to find answers to questions about medications and how to help their children to take them as prescribed. Breathless Bethany Buttercup provides the perfect forum for parents and children to talk about asthma and how to manage their condition."

Breathless Bethany Buttercup was written by Tolya Thompson and illustrated by Curt Walstead. With playful rhymes and colorful illustrations, the storybook appeals to early elementary school-aged students and parents can order a free copy through Schering-Plough and the Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics. For more information or to receive your own copy, visit www.asthmastorybook.com or www.breatherville.org.

About Pediatric Asthma
Asthma is a chronic disorder characterized by inflammation of the air passages, resulting in the temporary narrowing of the airways that transport air from the nose and mouth to the lungs.8 Asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, can occur and can impact multiple aspects of patients' lives.9 Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children1, and it is the cause of 7 million outpatient asthma visits to physician offices and nearly 200,000 hospitalizations among children each year in the United States.3 It is also the third leading cause of hospitalization among children under the age of 15.4

About Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA)
Founded in 1985, Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics is the leading national nonprofit family organization dedicated to eliminating suffering and death due to asthma, allergies and related conditions. AANMA's core areas of expertise are education, advocacy and outreach. Call 800.878.4403 or visit www.breatherville.org.

About Schering-Plough Corporation
Schering-Plough is an innovation-driven, science-centered global health care company. Through its own biopharmaceutical research and collaborations with partners, Schering-Plough creates therapies that help save and improve lives around the world. The company applies its research-and-development platform to human prescription, animal health and consumer healthcare products. Schering-Plough's vision is to "Earn Trust, Every Day" with the doctors, patients, customers and other stakeholders served by its colleagues around the world. The company is based in Kenilworth, N.J., and its Web site is www.schering-plough.com.

References
"Childhood Asthma." Challenges for the 21st Century: Chronic and Disabling Conditions. National Academy on an Aging Society, No. 8 June 2000. www.agingsociety.org/agingsociety/pdf/asthma.pdf
"Fast Stats A to Z: Asthma." National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm
"Asthma Prevalence, Health Care Use and Mortality: United States, 2003-05." National Center for Health Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/ashtma03-05/asthma03-05.htm.
"Asthma & Children Fact Sheet." American Lung Association, September 2007. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058817&content_id={05C5FA0A-A953-4BB6-BB74-F07C2ECCABA9}¬oc=1.

"Talking to Your Child About Asthma." American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, 2000. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/allergic_conditions/pediatric_asthma/talking_to_child.stm
Butz, Arlene M., et. al. "Shared Decision Making In School Age Children with

Asthma." Pediatric Nurse, 2007; 33(2): 111-116. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2269724

"Asthma in Children: Creating an Asthma Action Plan." Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2008. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/HQ00273.

"Asthma Facts and Figures." Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 2005. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=42

"What is Asthma?" National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, May 2006. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html
Video


Related Links
www.asthmastorybook.com

www.breatherville.org

www.schering-plough.com

Media Contacts:
Julie Lux
908-298-4774
Investor Contacts:
Janet Barth
Joe Romanelli
908-298-7436

Rock the Cause Presents: Rock Star -- It's Your World

14 Mar 2008 04:46 Africa/Lagos


Rock the Cause Presents: Rock Star -- It's Your World

An All-Ages Benefit Concert for Children's Home Society & Family Services

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 13 /PRNewswire/ --

Rock the Cause, a non-profit organization working to create positive life-changing experiences through the power of music, will be hosting an all-ages concert benefiting Children's Home Society and Family Services. Rock Star-It's Your World will help to raise awareness about kids in our community and around the world who don't have a family to call their own or are neglected or abused. It will also help engage youth in how volunteering and giving back can make a difference.


WHAT:
An all-ages concert benefiting Children's Home Society & Family Services
-- families are welcome

WHO:
The concert line up includes some of the Twin Cities' hottest bands who
are volunteering their time to rock the youth: Invincible Kids, So It
Goes, Maudlin, The Limns, Sick of Sarah and Catchpenny.

WHEN:
Saturday, April 5, 2008, doors at 12:30 p.m., music at 1 p.m.

WHERE:
Suburban World Theatre, 3022 Hennepin Avenue in Uptown Minneapolis

HOW:
Tickets can be purchase online at http://www.irockthecause.org/ or at the
door for $11

WHY:
To raise awareness about kids in our community and around the world who
don't have a family to call their own or are neglected or abused

SPONSORS:
Special thanks to The Onion, The Minnesota RollerGirls and Triplecaff for
their support of this event

MEDIA INQUIRIES:
To arrange an interview with Rock the Cause founder, Scott Herold,
performers, the benefiting organization, or for event press credentials,
please contact Kristine Huson at: 651-428-1656.

ABOUT ROCK THE CAUSE

Rock the Cause is a non-profit organization that works to create a positive life changing experience through the power of music and community. We partner with local and national non-profits who make an immediate and measurable impact on their community. Our goal is to build a future generation of giving through music, education, and awareness. Learn more at http://www.irockthecause.org/.


ABOUT CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY & FAMILY SERVICES:


Since 1889, Children's Home Society & Family Services (CHSFS) has met the needs of children and families through our adoption, child abuse and neglect prevention, early childhood education, and comprehensive family services. As a statewide non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, CHSFS is committed to help children thrive and to build, strengthen and sustain individual, family and community life. For more information please log on to http://www.chsfs.org/ or call 651-646-7771.


Source: Children's Home Society & Family Services

CONTACT: Kris Huson of Children's Home Society & Family Services,
+1-651-255-2336, khuson@chsfs.org


Web site: http://www.childrenshomeadopt.org/

Life Is a Gift

Thursday, December 27, 2007

1. Life Is a Gift

"Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."1

"There was a blind girl [or so the story goes] who hated herself because of her blindness. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

"One day someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything—including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, 'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her that simply said, 'Just take care of my eyes dear.'

"Too often we change when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before and even fewer remember who to thank for always being there when times were painfully unbearable.

"Life is a gift, so today: Before you think of saying an unkind word, think of someone who can't speak. Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat. Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion. Before you complain about your life, think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but is barren. Before you argue about your dirty house that someone didn't clean or sweep, think of the people who are living in the streets. Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet. And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

"And before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another, remember that not one of us is without sin and all will answer to one Maker. And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down, try to put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around. Life is a gift, live it, enjoy it, celebrate it, and fulfill it.

"Enjoy the moment. It may not come around again."2

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in the midst of life's trials help me always to count my many blessings—one by one—and learn to always give thanks for these and be grateful for what I do have and not complain about what I don't have. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NIV).
2. Author unknown. Source: Marcella's Inspiring
Collection, http://tinyurl.com/w9nb9

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Their Children Are My Family of the Year 2007

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Their Children Are My Family of the Year 2007

I hereby vote the beautiful and wonderful multinational family of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as the Family of the Year 2007.


Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt – with children Maddox, 5, Shiloh, 7 months, and Zahara, 2.

How Christmas Can Impact the Culture!

4 Dec 2007 11:10 Africa/Lagos


How Christmas Can Impact the Culture!

BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ --

We often worry that Christmas has become routine. Many communities across the country have settled for mere "holiday" celebrations focused on the secular side of the season. It seems that our culture is rapidly becoming ignorant about the real purpose of the holiday.


According to Phil Cooke, who has a Ph.D. in theology, and works specifically with non-profit and religious clients, producing national advertising for some of the largest companies in the country, "One of the reasons we are losing our focus is the way the media depicts the holiday, constantly focusing on the secular more commercial side of the holiday. In fact, it doesn't take much to see that the media's influence in our lives is pervasive, and today, education, business, religion, leisure, science, even family-life are all measured against that influence."


Cooke believes that the key to change is cutting through the overwhelming media clutter, and sharing the key elements of faith through casual conversations, the pulpit, and even through the media itself. "Essentially, it's about getting the real Christmas message heard. It's about telling the story of Christ's birth, and making that story connect," he says.


Although the true reason for Christmas has taken a beating, it's far from gone, and this year, we have the opportunity once again to remind the culture what Christmas is all about. Cooke has some tips for sharing the real Christmas message:


Don't be afraid to express your faith in the community or public square. Because of recent court rulings Christians shy away from anything remotely religious at Christmastime -- especially in public. Ask Christian attorneys for advice, or contact the American Center for Law and Justice (http://www.aclj.org/) for information on how to share your faith appropriately in a public forum.


Be confident but courteous at your office or school about expressing your faith. Stop arguing with people, and begin developing a relationship of compassion and trust.


Finally, it's not Santa's fault. Too many Christians blame Santa for distracting people from the story of the incarnation. Obviously Santa Claus isn't the reason for the season, but don't rob your children the joy of giving and experiencing the wonder and excitement of the big guy in the red suit.


"Give gifts, it is a fantastic way to develop a discussion with a non-Christian about God's ultimate gift," Cooke says. "Let's all lighten up and enjoy the North Pole, the reindeer, and the anticipation of the sound of hooves on the roof at midnight. But let's not forget to teach children and grandchildren the story of how God gave us the greatest gift of all."


Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Phil Cooke http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=69701


Source: Phil Cooke

CONTACT: Jackelyn Viera Iloff of End Results, Inc., +1-713-254-2284, for
Phil Cooke


Web site: http://www.endresultsinc.com/
http://www.brandingfaith.com/
http://www.philcooke.com/
http://www.aclj.org/


NOTE TO EDITORS: Cooke is available for interviews or to write columns on media and culture, branding, mega church media development, religion and entertainment issues. For information on Cooke's book Branding Faith and bio go to http://www.brandingfaith.com or more information go to http://www.philcooke.com.