New USB Medical Information Card Aims to Save Lives, Time and Money

(Louisville, Kentucky) – If you’re severely injured in an accident, stricken by an allergic reaction, or impaired by a stroke, heart attack or seizure, how can you possibly relay important medical information to first responders?  Have you ever wished you could avoid carrying stacks of health records and lists of prescriptions with you to your doctor’s office, only to have to copy that information by hand onto form after form?  With a goal of saving lives and making doctor trips easier, Louisville, Kentucky-based MEMI Tech, LLC is announcing the availability of the new 911 Medical ID™, the world’s thinnest USB health information storage device.

Approximately two millimeters thick, 911 Medical ID™ fits in your wallet as easily as a credit card.  It provides a simple way to store and carry important medical information, such as health history, allergies, and prescriptions, in a format that is easy for medical personnel to access. The card has been in development for three years, and the information it carries will reduce misdiagnoses, save valuable time, and even help cut the cost of medical care as we move more toward electronic records.

“The 911 Medical ID™ card has the potential to revolutionize the portable personal health record industry by giving consumers the power to better control and utilize their health information,” said MEMI Tech CEO Mark Weiss.  “The first place emergency medical professionals look for information on a patient is in his or her wallet, and stickers we provide will point them toward the 911 Medical ID™ card.  Parents, seniors, caregivers, travelers, athletes, the chronically ill, and students all have an immediate need for portable health information storage.”

When inserted into a computer’s USB port, pre-loaded software on the 911 Medical ID™ card launches immediately, and walks the user through the steps to enter information such as emergency contacts, doctors, medical conditions, prescriptions, a living will, medical tests, and family history.  The card’s one or two-gigabyte capacity and password-protected storage allow the user to store other necessary documents as well.  Additionally, each cardholder has the option of storing the medical records of up to ten family members right on your card.  Information on the card can also be automatically backed up to a secure password-protected website at no charge.

“Every time you go to a doctor, you are asked questions to update their records, and a visit to a new doctor can take forever because of the stack of forms that need to be filled out,” said Weiss.  “This card not only provides the piece of mind that your health information is available in the case of an emergency, it can also save time.  Just give the doctor’s staff the 911 Medical ID™ card, and tell them that all of your information is available inside.”

Another one of the many features that make 911 Medical ID™ card unique is the “Forever Benefit”.  As electronic medical records evolve, MEMI Tech is constantly improving the software for the card.  When an upgrade is available, the card is automatically updated.  This means a card purchased today will always be up-to-date.

For more information, please call or email the contact at the top of this release.

About MEMI Tech
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, MEMI Tech, LLC is the developer of the world’s thinnest, patent-protected, USB device, the 911 Medical ID™ Card. This unique, convenient credit card-sized USB storage device fits easily into your purse or wallet, and is designed to hold personal medical information to be used in the case of emergency.  For more information on MEMI Tech and the 911 Medical ID™ Card, please visit http://www.911medicalid.com.

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Sheltering Arms Helps Patients Connect with Families Despite H1N1 Restrictions

Richmond, Virginia (October 26, 2009) – This season’s H1N1 influenza outbreak has led area hospitals to take drastic, yet proactive, measures to keep patients safe. Sheltering Arms, in turn, has come up with a creative solution that will allow them to continue to have the benefit of visitation with family members.

About a dozen hospitals in the Richmond-Petersburg area, including Sheltering Arms two inpatient facilities, have coordinated efforts in the interest of patient and health care provider safety to restrict visiting policies at their hospitals. This means that with few exceptions, children under the age of 18 and visitors of any age with any symptoms of influenza-like illness will not be permitted in patient care areas. Knowing that the care and support of loved ones are catalysts in helping patients in their recovery process, Sheltering Arms has made web-cams available at both of their area hospitals.

“Loved ones, particularly children and grandchildren, often provide the extra motivation that patients need to work hard, regain their independence and return home,” says Stephanie Sulmer, Director of Public Relations for Sheltering Arms. “Of course, we support the initiative of the Virginia Department of Health and our healthcare partners throughout Central Virginia in protecting our patients from flu exposure. At the same time, we want to make sure that our patients have all of the necessary components to help them get better, including the people they love most.”

Upon the announcement of the visitation policy limitations, Sheltering Arms immediately put a plan into action to have the web-cams implemented in the hospitals prior to the policy becoming effective on Monday, October 26th. These limitations are expected to be in place through March 2010.

“Our patients are often with us for weeks, even months sometimes,” adds Sulmer. “We want to facilitate keeping them in touch with family and friends who fall into the ‘restricted categories.’ The web-cams will add an element of communication and interaction that is lost over the telephone or Internet.”

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics, visit www.ShelteringArms.com, or call 1-877-56REHAB.

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This release also found at:
Online PR News: Sheltering Arms Keeps Family Connections Alive Despite H1N1 Restrictions

EndGame PR Retained to Promote Health Information Storage Card

Richmond, Virginia (October 20, 2009) — EndGame Public Relations President Steve Mullen announced today that Kentucky-based MEMI Tech, LLC has retained his firm to launch and promote its unique and life-saving new health information storage card, 911 Medical ID™.

The 911 Medical ID™ Card is the world’s thinnest patent-protected USB device.  Approximately the same size as a credit card, it gives consumers a way to store and carry with them important emergency medical information such as allergies, prescriptions and pre-existing conditions, in a way that is easy for medical personnel to access.  The card will not only reduce misdiagnoses, it will also help to cut the cost of medical care as the industry moves more and more toward electronic medical records.

“This is an exciting and innovative product that will literally save lives,” said Mullen. “I’m thrilled to be working with the MEMI Tech team to make sure as many people as possible can have the feeling of well-being that comes with knowing their important medical information is available in the case of an emergency.”

EndGame PR, a Richmond, Virginia-based Social Media PR firm, will use a mix of media relations, social networking, and social media to promote the health information card.

“Social media and social networking are not only outstanding tools but a necessity for a new product such as 911 Medical ID™,” said Mark Weiss, CEO of MEMI Tech. “We chose EndGame PR as our public relations partner specifically because of the firm’s knowledge and experience with both traditional PR and web marketing.”

911 Medical ID™ is available for sale through the product’s website, www.911medicalid.com.

About EndGame Public Relations, LLC
EndGame Public Relations, LLC is a full service Social Media PR firm based in Richmond, Virginia.  EndGame PR mixes traditional and new marketing strategies to promote clients, using tactics such as media relations, crisis communications, social media strategy, blogging, web design, search engine optimization, and corporate podcasts and web videos. For more information on EndGame PR, please visit http://www.endgamepr.com/ or call (804) 372-7677.

About MEMI Tech
Based in Louisville, Kentucky, MEMI Tech, LLC is the developer of the world’s thinnest, patent-protected, USB device, the 911 Medical ID™ Card. This unique, convenient credit card-sized USB storage device fits easily into your purse or wallet, and is designed to hold personal medical information to be used in the case of emergency.  For more information on MEMI Tech and the 911 Medical ID™ Card, please visit http://www.911medicalid.com.

This release also found at:
Richmond, Virginia Social Media PR Firm Retained to Promote 911 Medical ID
Richmond, Virginia Social Media PR Firm Retained to Promote Health Information Storage Card
EndGame Public Relations Retained to Promote 911 Medical ID™ Health Information Storage Card

NVALEO CEO to Discuss Internet TV Technology at Upcoming Event

Richmond, Virginia (September 16, 2009) – We’re living in the early stages of a revolution in the way television content is delivered. The future will not include a near monopoly by the cable and satellite television companies, but rather strong competition from the Internet. The leader of one of the companies leading this revolution, Jeff Ritchie of NVALEO, is coming to Richmond next week to talk about his company and the new options for watching informational and entertaining programming on television.

The NVALEO Enrichment System is a television set-top digital delivery system that broadcasts exclusive live and on-demand high definition video content. The educational and informational programming is delivered to the HD set-top box via the Internet.

“Because the cost to content providers is so much lower with a system such as NVALEO than it is to launch a show on network or cable television, we’re finding that it’s leading to a true democratization of informational programming,” said Mr. Ritchie.

NVALEO has already gathered approximately 50 content providers. These providers deliver wide-ranging content including programs on entrepreneurship, health, sports, fitness, and many other topics. Additionally, NVALEO is dedicating a portion of its network for use as a fundraising tool for nonprofit organizations. Approved nonprofits will have their own channel to broadcast their content, helping to reduce the need for costly marketing campaigns and fundraising events.

Mr. Ritchie’s presentation on NVALEO and the opportunities presented by Internet-delivered television programming will begin at 7pm on Tuesday, September 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn at Innsbrook (4050 Cox Road, Glen Allen, VA, 23060). Registration is free, but seating is limited.

For those unable to attend the event, an online video stream is available.

For more information and to register, please visit www.eaglehousedeals.com/event.

About NVALEO
NVALEO, or “En Valeo”, translated from Latin, is the declaration that you see something before you – whether an action or a person – of great strength, power and influence. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, NVALEO makes, distributes, and provides programming for the NVALEO Enrichment System, a television set-top digital delivery system that broadcasts exclusive live and on-demand high definition video content. NVALEO has thus far gathered approximately 50 content providers that will deliver wide-ranging informational, educational, and entertaining content. For more information, please visit http://www.nvaleo.com.

New Application Helps Twitter Users Contact Legislators about SMA

(Santa Barbara, CA) – Millions of people ‘Tweet’ every day, and Bill Strong knew there had to be a way to harness all of that online talk to help end spinal muscular atrophy, a disease that is affecting him very personally. With a Twitter application called ‘Tweet for a Cure’ and the help of thousands of Twitter users, he’s making progress in his quest to find a cure.

Bill and Victoria Strong’s daughter, Gwendolyn (seen to the right), was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at the age of six months.  SMA is a neuromuscular disease that causes weakness and wasting of the muscles.  In the most severe cases, it can rob its victims of the ability to crawl, sit, walk, breathe, eat, talk, or even smile.  SMA is the leading genetic killer of children under two.

Not long after the SMA diagnosis, Bill and Victoria founded the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation to raise awareness of and money for SMA research.  Bill also serves on the board of directors of Fight SMA, a larger organization with a mission of strategically advancing research for SMA.

Bill has harnessed the power of the Internet and social media for several campaigns that further his cause of raising much needed awareness of SMA.  His latest effort is “Tweet for a Cure”.  The Twitter application helps users send a “tweet” to their local legislators.  The message asks the legislators to support the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act.  The proposed legislation in the United States, written and backed by multiple SMA organizations, would help to clear the way for researchers to find a cure for the disease.  Within one month of its launch, more than 2,600 people utilized “Tweet for a Cure”, reaching nearly two million Twitter users.

“Using social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, and even online petitions, organizations like ours can reach large numbers of people with less effort than it took just a few years ago,” said Strong.  “We’re grateful for the individuals who have used ‘Tweet for a Cure’ and for those who have signed our online petition, and hope that they continue to support our efforts to help end spinal muscular atrophy.“

Bill’s online petition, which asks that legislators support the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act, can be found at http://www.petitiontocuresma.com.  Since being created in July of 2008, it has gathered approximately 70-thousand digital signatures.

To find the “Tweet for a Cure” application, go to http://www.endsma.org/twitter.  To learn about the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, go to http://www.endsma.org.  For more about spinal muscular atrophy, go to Fight SMA’s website, at http://www.fightsma.org.

About Fight SMA
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Fight SMA (also known as Andrew’s Buddies) is an international nonprofit group dedicated to accelerating research for a treatment or a cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disorder that kills more babies than any other genetic disease. The latest SMA news and research information is available at Fight SMA’s Spinal Muscular Atrophy Blog, at http://www.fightsma/blog.

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This release also found at:
Online PR News: Thousands Voice Support for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Research with “Tweet for a Cure”
PRLog: New Application Helps Twitter Users Contact Legislators about Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Upcoming TV Documentary Celebrates National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Richmond, Virginia (August 27, 2009) – When a healthcare organization has been around for more than 120 years, it’s likely to have many, many remarkable success stories.  Television viewers in Richmond will be treated in September to three such stories about patients of Sheltering Arms who learned the Power to Overcome.  A half-hour documentary about the patients’ recovery from health challenges and disability and how that recovery was achieved will air on three area television stations during the month.

The documentary is being released to coincide with National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, which is celebrated by gubernatorial proclamation in Virginia from September 20-26.  The program will air Tuesday, September 8 at 9:00 p.m. on WRIC (channel 8), on Saturday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. on WWBT (channel 12), and on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 p.m. on WTVR (channel 6).  Emmy Award-winning local videographer Eric Futterman produced the documentary.

Sheltering Arms began in 1889 in downtown Richmond as the area’s first acute care hospital that treated all patients regardless of ability to pay.  Today, Sheltering Arms is Central Virginia’s premier physical rehabilitation healthcare provider.

“Recovery from disability due to illness or injury is extremely hard work for the patient and his or her rehabilitation team,” said Sheltering Arms President Jim Sok.  “Everyone involved must have a high level of dedication, as well as access to the latest technology.  I’m thrilled everyone will be able to see these wonderful stories.”

Profiled during the program are three local residents who achieved remarkable recovery.

Jamaal Williams is a former Virginia Union University football player, who had a massive stroke at the age of 28.  When he arrived at Sheltering Arms, he was completely paralyzed on the left side of his body and was unable to speak.  Today, with help from his rehab team and technologies like the REO robotic trainer and SaeboFlex, he is mobile, vocal, and independent.

David Thomas was left immobile and unable to eat food or speak following a brain aneurysm.  His family was told to consider putting him in a nursing home. Instead, he was transferred to Sheltering Arms, where the gains he made in the hospital and after his return home have been nothing short of miraculous.  His first words post-stroke were to his daughter, when he said he loved her.  Recently, he walked her down the aisle at her wedding.

Dorothy “Dot” Hughes has a lifelong relationship with Sheltering Arms.  In the 1950s, her two sons were born at the hospital.  All that she was asked to bring with her were cans of evaporated milk.  No payment was required.  In 2002, she was once again cared for by Sheltering Arms, this time as a stroke rehabilitation patient.  Today, she participates in Club Rec, a day recreation program for individuals with a disability or physical limitation.  Club Rec is one of many services in Sheltering Arms’ Partner for Life Program.

The documentary is not the only Rehabilitation Awareness Week activity this year.  On Friday, September 25, Sheltering Arms is partnering with AAA of Virginia to hold an event called CarFit.  At the event, elderly members of the community will work with trained therapists to ensure they’re safe to drive.  They will receive a detailed 20-minute inspection and one-on-one meeting where therapists will make sure the vehicle is set up appropriately to make them as safe as possible on the road.

On September 23, Sheltering Arms will honor the hard work and triumphs of all physical rehabilitation patients with the third annual Celebration of the Power to Overcome. The gala event will take place in the Grand Ballroom of The Jefferson Hotel.  It will be emceed by local radio and television personality Bill Bevins, and will feature a keynote address from award winning comedian and cancer survivor Scott Burton.

Clips of the documentary are available for media use. For more information, please call one of the contact numbers at the top of this release.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services.  To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and eight outpatient clinics, visit www.ShelteringArms.com, or call 1-877-56-REHAB.  To read the latest news from Sheltering Arms and about physical rehabilitation, visit the Sheltering Arms Blog.

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This release can also be found at Online PR News:
TV Documentary from Sheltering Arms Celebrates National Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Date and Home Lineup Set for 2009 Autumn Pilgrimage House Tour

Charles City, VA (August 4, 2009) — History will once again be on display in Charles City County this fall, for a good cause.  Westover Church announced that its 15th Autumn Pilgrimage House and Garden Tour will be held Saturday, September 26, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  All the properties on this year’s tour are historic and several have not been available for public touring for many years. One historic house was originally built in 1790 in Chesterfield County and was moved in 1998 to its current site by barge to the banks of the James River.

Over the years, the tour has generated well over $160,000 for Westover Church and its charitable outreach programs. “Meals on Wheels” is the primary recipient, along with other local, national and international concerns, which benefit from this event. Significant contributions have been made to the Katrina storm victims, the Crow Indian Reservation in North Dakota, and the Diocesan Relief Fund, among others.

Charles City County boasts a wealth of history, not only in terms of events and the people who helped shape our country, but also in terms of architecture. From imposing 18th century plantation houses to smaller domestic structures, churches and new homes, the county offers a stunning breadth of American architecture. A truly notable architectural tour in Charles City must include visits to its numerous historic plantations and private homes. The ancestral homes of past presidents and notables of Virginia society serve as glimpses of the past, which bring past events that shaped our country to life.

Properties on the 2009 Autumn Pilgrimage House Tour

Westover Church

Westover Parish Church (seen right)
One of the oldest churches in the country, its predecessor was constructed between 1630 and 1637 on Westover plantation. The original structure was dismantled circa 1730, and was reconstructed at its present site on Herring Creek. Through the centuries, farmers, plantation owners, slaves have worshipped at Westover Parish Church.  Notable attendees at the church include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, John Tyler and Theodore Roosevelt.

Bethany Presbyterian Church
This beautiful Greek Revival church was built in 1869. The white frame building has a classical facade with a portico supported by Doric columns. Members of the congregation will serve refreshments during the tour.

Berkeley Plantation
No tour of properties in Charles City County would be complete without a visit to Berkeley.  One of the first great estates in America, the plantation was part of a 1618 land grant.  It was the site of the first Thanksgiving and the first playing of the military song, “Taps”, and also served as a field hospital during the Civil War.  Benjamin Harrison IV built the mansion.  Born in the home were his son, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Virginia, and his grandson, Governor of the Indiana Territory and ninth President of the United States.

Sherwood Forest
Sherwood Forest Plantation was the home of the 10th U.S. President John Tyler from 1842 until his death in 1862. Sherwood Forest Plantation has been the continuous residence of the Tyler family since the President purchased it in 1842. Known to be the longest frame house in America, it is over 300 feet long.

Kittiewan
Built in 1728, this property was donated to the Archaeological Society of Virginia and is undergoing physical and archaeological study.

Weyanoke and Upper Weyanoke
These two homes are part of properties owned by several Virginia families prominent in Virginia history, such as Sir George Yeardly, Abraham Piersley, William Harwood, Fielding Lewis Douthat and his wife Mary Willis Marshall, granddaughter of the Chief Justice.

North Bend Plantation Bed & Breakfast
This home was built in 1819 for Sarah Harrison, the sister of President William Henry Harrison. The plantation lands are still under cultivation by the current owners, the Copland family, descendants of the Ruffin and Harrison families.

Richmond View
Richmond View was originally built in Chesterfield County ca. 1790. The house was located in an industrial corridor between Interstate 95 and the James River and was in danger of complete ruin until the owners moved it to Charles City by barge in 1998.  In 2006, Richmond View was designated by Southern Living magazine as the “Best Preservation” project of the year.

Activities on the day of the Tour

The day of the pilgrimage will kick off with a presentation of the foxhounds from Princess Anne Hunt Club at Sherwood Forest Plantation from 9 until 9:30 a.m. A variety of activities will follow at Westover Church throughout the day, including lunchtime entertainment by various groups from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Local products and produce, including pumpkins will be featured at the church lawn throughout the day. Box lunches may be reserved in advance and will be served at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The youth of Westover Church will sell homemade goods and a la carte lunch items, including chili and hot dogs.

Two distinctive plants highly favored in local gardens will be available for sale: Poet’s Laurel (danae racemosa), an evergreen shrub useful for flower arrangements and Spider Lily bulbs (lycoris radiata of the amaryllis family), a favorite fall blooming flower.  Other perennials, such as daffodils and day lilies will be available for sale.

Raffle Tickets
Raffle prizes will be a Sony Cybershot Camera (donated by Office DEPOT), a Trek Navigator 2.0 three-speed mountain bike, and overnight accommodations for two at North Bend Plantation Bed & Breakfast with dinner at Charles City Tavern. Winners will be chosen from the raffle drawing at 5 p.m. Cost of the raffle tickets are $5 each or six tickets for $25. For more information or to purchase raffle tickets, contact Theresa Coyne, 804-829-9077 or westoverpilgrimage@yahoo.com. The raffle tickets will be on sale the day of the tour at Richmond View, Sherwood Forest Plantation, Westover and Westover Church.

Ticket and Lunch Information
Tour tickets may be purchased in advance through September 22, 2009 for $30 per person. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour for $35 per person at Richmond View, Sherwood Forest Plantation, Westover and Westover Church. Box lunches may be ordered in advance for $12 each and will be available at Westover Church between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Advance tickets and lunch reservations contact:
For advance admission tickets, raffle tickets and lunch reservations, send checks, payable to Westover Church by September 22, to Teresa Coyne, 13101 Tyler’s Mill Road, Charles City, VA  23030. Tickets may be purchased on the day of tour, September 26 at Richmond View, Sherwood Forest Plantation, Westover and Westover Church.

For more information or questions, contact:
Teresa Coyne at (804) 829-9077, westoverpilgrimage@yahoo.com
Kay Tyler at (804) 358-6248, ktyler@sherwoodforest.org
Westover Parish Church webpage

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Fight SMA Publishes Web Video from 2009 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Conference

Richmond, VA (June 16, 2009) – The Fight SMA 2009 Annual Spinal Muscular Atrophy Conference, The Good Fight, featured many firsts.  One of the most important to SMA families was the first-ever webcast of the “Friends and Family” portion of the conference.  Now, Fight SMA is announcing that the video from that webcast is available for online viewing and download.

Founded in 1991 in Richmond, Virginia, Fight SMA is an international non-profit organization dedicated to finding a treatment or cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the leading inherited killer of children under two.  The neuromuscular disease affects the victim’s motor neurons, causing muscle atrophy, loss of strength, and disability.  The majority of children who are born with SMA die prematurely due to respiratory complications.

“We were thrilled with the success of our first conference webcast, and we’re very excited to be able to make this video available,” said Fight SMA President Martha Slay.  “Families facing SMA need all of the information they can get about research, and the scientists who attended our conference are some of the best in the world.”

The video features the “Basic Science Update”, one of two panel discussions during the Families and Friends Conference.  Fight SMA Science Director Dr. Chris Lorson from the University of Missouri in Columbia led the discussion.  He presented the most current information available about the search for an SMA cure.

To view and download the video, please visit the 2009 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Conference page on the Fight SMA website.  The page can be accessed via a link on the front page of the Fight SMA site, or via this link: http://www.fightsma.org/index.php?annual_meeting_2009 .

About Fight SMA
Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, Fight SMA (also known as Andrew’s Buddies) is an international nonprofit group dedicated to accelerating research for a treatment or a cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neuromuscular disorder that kills more babies than any other genetic disease.  For more information on spinal muscular atrophy and Fight SMA, please visit http://www.fightsma.org.  The latest SMA news and research information is available at the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Blog, at http://www.fightsma/blog.

Must-Attend Events for Middle and High School Athletes

Richmond, Virginia (May 19, 2009) – College athletics are more competitive than ever, which means athletes need to stand out from the crowd. On Saturday, May 30, 2009, Acceleration Richmond will hold several events to help athletes and their parents learn how to do just that.

First, middle and high school football players are invited to the Central Virginia Football Combine at 10:00 a.m. at St. Catherine’s School Lower Fields. For a minimal cost of $50, students can fine-tune their skills in the following areas: 40-yard dash, Pro-Agility, L-Drill, Vertical Jump, Broad Jump, and 185lb Bench Press* (high school only).

Acceleration Richmond will award 10 of these athletes with a “Golden Pass” to participate in a Football University (FBU) mini-camp. This will occur at Acceleration Richmond’s Open House and will feature a Free Football Recruiting Seminar presented by Rivals.com. Every participant in an FBU mini-camp will be exposed to Acceleration Richmond’s specialized football training program- from pre-camp assessment of gait, stability, strength and power, through mini-camp experiences that will enhance every athlete’s speed, power, agility and playmaking skills, to a sit-down, post-camp evaluation with each player and his parents.

The Acceleration Richmond Open House will take place following the combine at 1:00 p.m. at the Acceleration Richmond facility – 1501 Maple Avenue, Suite 100. Athletes and their parents will get advice from professionals and learn the following information:

· What It Takes To Elevate Your Game to the Next Level
· Every Aspect of the Recruiting Process
· How to Obtain a College Scholarship
· How to Receive Maximum College Exposure
· How to Move to the Top of Recruiters’ Target Lists

The Open House and College Recruiting Seminar are free of charge and are must-attend events for athletes who are looking to gain a competitive edge. It is not necessary to participate in the combine to attend.

About Acceleration Richmond
Acceleration Richmond is the area’s premier athlete training center and fitness facility, specializing in the one-of-a-kind Athletic Republic sports training programs. The specially educated trainers and staff are committed to helping clients achieve their athletic and fitness performance goals. Acceleration Richmond operates in the Sheltering Arms outpatient clinic on Maple Avenue. For more information, contact (804) 545-FAST, or visit www.accelerationrichmond.com.

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Sheltering Arms Launches New Social Media Strategy

Richmond, Virginia (May 18, 2009) – It’s possible to learn new things, even at the age of 120 years old! Sheltering Arms, Central Virginia’s premier physical therapy healthcare provider, announced that it’s launching a new social media strategy. The Richmond-based non-profit organization, which was founded in 1889, will use a variety of social media techniques to better provide information to its patients.

Social media techniques will provide patients and potential patients a number of new ways to connect with and learn about Sheltering Arms. Working to develop and carry out the new social media strategy is Metro Richmond-based Social Media PR firm EndGame Public Relations.

“In my view, a social media strategy is essential for any business, because you simply can’t reach your audience solely through the traditional media anymore” said EndGame PR President Steve Mullen. “I’m thrilled Sheltering Arms is entering the world of social media, and I’m thrilled to be working with them.”

Sheltering Arms has already launched a new YouTube channel, where videos from the organization can easily be found. Also in place is the new Sheltering Arms Facebook Fan Page, which can be found at. Next steps include creating a blog and a podcast. Future steps may include a Sheltering Arms presence on Twitter.

EndGame PR has partnered with Sheltering Arms on a variety of traditional public relations projects, beginning in the fall of 2007. Previous projects primarily involved strategic media relations.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services. To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, visit www.ShelteringArms.com, or call 1-877-56-REHAB.

About EndGame Public Relations, LLC
EndGame Public Relations, LLC is a Social Media PR firm based in Richmond, Virginia that works to promote clients through a mix of traditional and new tactics, including media relations, crisis communications, social media strategy, blogging, web design, and corporate podcasts and web videos. For more information on EndGame PR, please visit http://www.endgamepr.com/.

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Consumer Research Firm’s Technique Reveals Hidden Brand Emotions

May 14, 2009 (St. Louis, MO) – It’s not unusual for companies to conduct research to find out what potential customers “think” of a new product or corporate brand. But, until recently, it wasn’t easy to find out what those potential customers are truly “feeling”. A St. Louis-based consumer research firm, experiEmotive® analytics, or EMA, has developed a new research technique that reveals specific feelings that people have toward brands, especially feelings that are hidden.

EMA’s technique, which company founder and CEO (Chief Emotive Officer) Paul Conner has dubbed “Emotional Profiling”, is different than traditional research techniques such as focus groups, telephone surveys, and online surveys.  Emotional Profiling not only captures emotions that people are aware of and willing to share (their “explicit” emotions), but it also reveals emotions that people are not aware of or are unwilling to share (their “implicit” emotions).

“Our technique is adapted from implicit approaches used in cognitive and social psychology to expose prejudices that people can’t consciously feel or aren’t willing to admit,” explains Conner. “We apply these approaches to brands to help marketers see important emotional connections that they may not otherwise know about.”

EMA’s technique assesses not just positive or negative feelings in general, but specific feelings that impact purchase decisions, such as security, excitement, and relaxation.

“Marketers immediately see the value of this, because even though emotions like security, excitement, and relaxation are all positive, marketing to security is certainly different than marketing to excitement or even relaxation,” said Conner. “We help marketers find important specific emotional connections.”

In the past year, EMA has completed two studies that demonstrate the value of its Emotional Profiling technique, particularly its implicit assessment feature.

The first study explored the Emotional Profiles of two battery brands. In this study, people explicitly said they felt more skeptical about the preferred brand vs. the non-preferred brand, and equally playful, disgusted, and worried about the two. These explicit results, which were inconsistent with brand preference, confused marketers regarding what to do. However, people implicitly showed they felt more playful and less disgusted, worried, and skeptical toward the preferred brand. These implicit results, which were consistent with brand preference, suggested that marketers leverage playfulness.

The second study explored the Emotional Profile of a well-known electronics brand. In this study, respondents who preferred the brand more, felt more implicitly, but not explicitly, cared for by it. This result, which would not have been revealed without the implicit data, suggested that marketers prioritize efforts to make people feel cared for by the brand.

The Emotional Profiling technique requires a quantitative phase that provides the metrics portraying the brands’ Emotional Profiles. EMA also offers (and recommends) a qualitative phase that reveals what triggers the key emotions found in the quantitative Emotional Profiles. Essentially, the qualitative phase tells marketers what to do to activate the desired emotions.

About experiEmotive® analytics
Founded in 2004, experiEmotive® analytics (EMA) is a consumer research company devoted to assessing the emotional dynamics of consumer behavior. Based on established research in neuroscience and psychology that shows emotions drive people’s behavior, EMA uses a variety of techniques to assess consumers’ emotions and help companies develop more emotionally engaging marketing and operations for their brands, products, services, advertising, and customer service, and more. For more information, please visit the experiEmotive® analytics website or call 314.752.0564.

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Additional information about experiEmotive® analytics:
Capabilities Presentation (Flash)
2009 webinar about Implicit Emotional Assessment

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Another Big Year for Fight SMA’s Annual Spinal Muscular Atrophy Conference

(Richmond, VA) – The 2009 version of “The Good Fight”, Fight SMA’s Annual Spinal Muscular Atrophy Conference, wrapped up on Tuesday, April 28, and it was another successful year!  Here are a few of the highlights:

• 20 researchers and two additional graduate students from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) were in attendance.

• Three of the attending scientists joined five additional doctors and healthcare professionals in an educational panel for attendees of the “Families and Friends Conference.”  This year’s panelists were Thomas Crawford, M.D., Tina Duong, MPT, Craig P. Eberson, M.D., Sally Evans, M.D., Sarah Feasel, MEd, RD, LD, CNSC, Mary Schroth, M.D., Kathy Swoboda, M.D., and Alex MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D.

• On April 28, many of the families, friends and researchers descended on Capitol Hill to advocate for Spinal Muscular Atrophy and the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act, visiting the offices of more than 65 Congressional Representatives.  After a productive day, the SMA community was thrilled to learn that HR 2149, the SMA Treatment Acceleration Act, had been re-introduced in the House of Representatives.  FightSMA thanks all of our families, friends and researchers for kicking off the 2009 advocacy efforts in a big way.

• For the first year, Fight SMA offered a webinar of the Families and Friends panels.  The webinar was a success, with 30 participants from 13 U.S. states and a total of four countries.  Those who utilized the webinar said the experience was great!

Fight SMA is thankful for the contributions of everyone who made this conference a success, and for its sponsors, who made it possible: PTC Therapeutics, Genzyme, Hill-Rom Company, ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Psychogenics, Permobil, The Medi-Kid Co., and Exceptional Parent Magazine.  A special “thank you” goes to Hill-Rom Company and Genzyme, which not only sponsored the event, but also sent representatives to attend the Families and Friends Conference!

About Fight SMA
FightSMA is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation, organized in 1991 to strategically accelerate research for a treatment and a cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant death.  For more information, please visit www.fightsma.org.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Nonprofit FightSMA Offers Free Conference Webcast

(Richmond, VA) – Traveling with a sick child is always difficult, even when the trip in question involves learning more about the child’s illness.  That difficulty has only been amplified by the current state of the economy.  For that reason, Fight SMA is providing a free live webcast of two seminars from this year’s Family and Friends Annual Spinal Muscular Atrophy Conference in Washington D.C.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic killer of children under two.  Fight SMA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a treatment or cure for this killer.

The Families and Friends Conference, which is part of the annual families and researchers conference called “The Good Fight”, allows families the opportunity to meet and learn from prominent scientists who are researching SMA.  It will be held at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel on April 27 and 28, 2009.  The webcast will allow those not attending the event to view the two seminars on April 27: the Basic Science Update (5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET) and the Thriving with SMA Panel (6:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET).

A limited number of spaces are available for the webcast on a first come, first serve basis. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity and sign up for one of the spaces, please email Heather Lennon by April 23rd.

For more information on the conference, please visit the Fight SMA website.  To reserve your webcast reservation, please email Heather Lennon.

About Fight SMA
FightSMA is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation, organized in 1991 to strategically accelerate research for a treatment and a cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of infant death.  For more information, please visit www.fightsma.org.

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A Celebration of a Richmond Institution

Sheltering Arms Marks its 120th Anniversary by Looking Back and Looking Forward

(Richmond, Virginia) – Despite being a city full of history, there are few institutions that are as much a part of the fabric of Richmond, Virginia area as Sheltering Arms.  This year, the non-profit born in the post-Civil War Reconstruction era turns 120 years old and is looking forward to its future while looking back at its rich history.

Longtime residents of Metro Richmond know that Sheltering Arms is not only a premier physical rehabilitation healthcare provider, but was also the first acute care hospital in the city founded with a mission of treating all patients regardless of ability to pay.

When Sheltering Arms first opened its doors in February of 1889, no one realized that it would become the tradition that it is today.  The organization began as the vision of a young woman named Rebekah Peterkin. Moved by the suffering of those around her, Ms. Peterkin made it her mission to help working families in Richmond.  Local physicians and nurses gave of their time to see patients at the fledgling hospital, and an executive Board of women devoted their hearts and their time to keeping it running. They sought funds and supplies from those who could spare them and even made the hospital’s first blankets by sewing newspapers inside cotton covers.

In 1894, Sheltering Arms moved to Clay Street, and this institution of caring was firmly established. Over the years, thousands of people who could not afford to be sick were nursed back to health at Sheltering Arms.

Over time, it became obvious that the mission of Sheltering Arms was being filled by other organizations, but an unmet need still remained.  In January of 1981, Sheltering Arms became the first private freestanding physical rehabilitation hospital in Virginia, and since then has been helping patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles they face due to illness or injury.

“Sheltering Arms has a proud history of serving the people of Central Virginia, and while we help them in a very different way now than we did decades ago, our mission of improving lives has never changed,” said Sheltering Arms President Jim Sok.

With these goals always at the forefront, Sheltering Arms is renewing its commitment to offering the best care to meet the rehabilitative needs of Central Virginia.  The organization pairs leading-edge therapies with the compassionate hard work of its therapists to create the most comprehensive and extensive network of rehabilitation care in Central Virginia.  Today, Sheltering Arms is made up of two hospitals, day rehab programs, outpatient physician and therapy clinics, day recreation, support groups, and fitness and pool memberships and classes.

Images from Sheltering Arms’ history are available for use in media stories.  Links to two such images can be found below, with additional images available on request.

• An 1890 picture of the sign in front of the original Sheltering Arms building: http://tinyurl.com/8d358j
• Sheltering Arms nurses assist with a patient in 1890: http://tinyurl.com/74cacb
• Two nurses stand in front of Sheltering Arms’ Clay Street building in 1940: http://tinyurl.com/7k4h26
• Sheltering Arms receives a large donation during its annual fundraising drive in 1960: http://tinyurl.com/7uol8u

Members of the media who would like to arrange an interview with Sheltering Arms about its history or future should call the contact listed at the top of this release.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services.  To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, visit www.ShelteringArms.com, or call 1-877-56-REHAB.

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PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com Sets Records for Traffic, Listings, and Dresses Sold

(Toronto, Ontario) – Pointing to the economy as one reason, the owner of the premier site on the web for new, sample, and used designer wedding dresses is announcing a record-setting third quarter. PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, which connects buyers to sellers of high quality dresses, broke its own record for traffic, dresses listed, and gowns sold.

Site owner Josie Daga launched PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com in 2004 after she tried unsuccessfully to sell her dress by existing methods. The web site connects buyers to sellers of new, sample and used designer wedding dresses. Ms. Daga says she believes the current economic climate is an obvious contributor to the increases.

“In any economic conditions, buying a pre-owned wedding gown makes good sense. In this current economy, it makes incredibly good sense,” says Daga. She also credits the site’s wide selection of gowns as well as its advanced search features for the rise in sales.

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com has seen steady growth since its inception, and has had a record year overall this year. In the Q3 2008, the site posted its highest quarterly results to date:

• Q3 2008 site traffic increased 201% over the same period in 2007
• Q3 2008 dresses listed increased 210% over the same period in 2007
• Q3 2008 dresses sold increased 226% over the same period in 2007

PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com currently features over 1400 new, sample and used designer wedding dresses for sale.

About PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com
Founded in 2004 by Josie Daga after she unsuccessfully tried to sell her wedding dress via existing methods, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is the premier destination for buyers and sellers of new, sample and used designer wedding dresses. For more information, please visit http://www.preownedweddingdresses.com.

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