Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Baxa Corporation Acquires Florida-Based ForHealth Technologies™

Baxa Corporation Acquires Florida-Based ForHealth Technologies™

Baxa Corporation, a leading developer of technology for the safe handling, packaging and administration of fluid medications, today announced that it has acquired ForHealth Technologies, Inc., a Florida-based healthcare robotics and software company. The ForHealth acquisition adds IntelliFill i.v.® and IntelliFlowRx™ to the existing Baxa products for pharmacy operations management.

Englewood, Colo. (PRWEB) March 3, 2009 -- Baxa Corporation, a leading developer of technology for the safe handling, packaging and administration of fluid medications, today announced that it has acquired ForHealth Technologies, Inc., a Florida-based healthcare robotics and software company, in a strategic expansion of its focus on health-system pharmacy automation and IV room productivity. Terms were not disclosed.

The ForHealth acquisition adds IntelliFill i.v.® and IntelliFlowRx™ to the existing Baxa products for pharmacy operations management. IntelliFill i.v., a high-speed robotic system for preparing intravenous doses, is an industry standard for performance, cost savings and patient safety. Through the preparation of more than 25 million patient doses, IntelliFill i.v. has proven itself in many of the most-respected U.S. hospitals. IntelliFlowRx IV Room Workflow Manager promotes reductions in drug costs and waste, while ensuring patient safety and improving accuracy and efficiencies in manual IV compounding.

"The acquisition of ForHealth is a strategic move that expands our commitment to improving patient safety and enhancing the quality of life in health-system pharmacies," said Greg Baldwin, Baxa Chairman and CEO. "For decades, Baxa has led the industry in solutions for IV preparation. The powerful combination of the Baxa and ForHealth products and people will expand that leadership and accelerate customer deployment of IV automation solutions."

"We're excited to be joining the Baxa family. Baxa Corporation's leadership position and established credibility in hospital pharmacies will create new opportunities for ForHealth products," said Steve Thomas, ForHealth Chairman and CEO. "Hospital pharmacies now will have one clear choice when it comes to addressing their IV automation needs."

ForHealth operations will continue from its US headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida. Baldwin and Thomas both emphasized that the transition to Baxa ownership will be seamless for existing ForHealth customers.

About Baxa Corporation:

Baxa, a customer-focused medical device company, provides innovative, solution-based technologies for medication handling and delivery. Its systems and devices promote the safe and efficient preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of medications. Key products include the PadLock® Set Saver, Rapid-Fill™ Automated Syringe Fillers, Exacta-Med® Oral Dispensers, MicroFuse® Syringe Infusers, Repeater™ Pharmacy Pumps, and Exacta-Mix™ and MicroMacro™ Multi-Source Automated Compounders; used worldwide in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Privately held, Baxa Corporation has subsidiaries and sales offices in Canada and the United Kingdom; direct representation in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Switzerland; and distribution partners worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.baxa.com.

About ForHealth Technologies, Inc.:

Founded in 1998, ForHealth Technologies delivers 21st-century technology combined with professional support to enable hospital pharmacies to stay ahead of the growing challenges faced in preparing injectable medications. ForHealth Technologies' solutions deliver quantum-leap improvements in key I.V. room performance metrics: accuracy, patient safety, clinician safety, speed, cost reduction, and regulatory compliance. More information is available at http://www.fhtinc.com. ForHealth Technologies: Innovating for Your I.V. Room's Future™.

Contacts:

Marian Robinson, Vice President, Marketing

Baxa Corporation - http://www.baxa.com - 800.567.2292 ext. 2157 or 303.617.2157

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR

Absolutely Public Relations - http://www.absolutelypr.com - 303.984.9801 or 303.669.3558

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Contact Information MARIAN ROBINSON

Baxa Corporation

http://www.baxa.com

303-617-2157

MAGGIE HOLBEN

Baxa Corporation

http://www.baxa.com

303-984-9801



Monday, March 2, 2009

Team of Pediatricians Select Best Child Safety Products

Team of Pediatricians Select Best Child Safety Products

The pediatricians of Child Safety House Calls announce four new recipients of their Award of Excellence. These winners were selected for their innovation in helping parents keep their children safe. The winners are mesh crib bumpers by BreathableBaby®, Infant CPR Anytime™ DVD-based training, InstantAmber™ on-line storage of children's identifying information, and DigitSaver™ door pinch guard.

Virginia Beach, VA (PRWEB) March 2, 2009 -- Child Safety House Calls announces four new recipients of their Award of Excellence. After a thorough evaluation by pediatricians who specialize in the field of child safety, these winners were selected for their innovation in helping parents keep their children safe. The winners are BreathableBaby® Breathable Bumper mesh crib bumper, Infant CPR Anytime™ DVD-based training, InstantAmber™ on-line storage of children's identifying information, and DigitSaver™ door pinch guard.

"These products can prevent so many of the tragedies I see everyday in the emergency room," says pediatric emergency medicine physician Dr. Joel Clingenpeel. Nationally a child is treated in the emergency department for an unintentional injury approximately every ninety seconds(1). "I want every parent to take action rather than leave their children's safety to chance."

Child Safety House Calls is a pediatrician-managed organization whose mission includes injury prevention advocacy and childproofing promotion. The organization established the Award of Excellence to keep parents informed of the best child safety products and services. Criteria for their experts' selections include: effectiveness, innovation, ease of use, durability, breadth of target audience, and professional experience with the product. Child Safety House Calls continually seeks new child safety aids worthy of the Award of Excellence. The organization receives no compensation in exchange for its selections. For more information visit www.childsafetyhousecalls.com/Awards.html.

Congratulations to these fours winners for their contributions to child safety:

BreathableBaby® Breathable Bumpers Mesh Crib Bumpers

Many parents choose to line their infants' cribs with bumpers despite the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The patented Breathable Bumpers mesh crib bumpers provide a safer alternative to traditional bumpers by allowing infants who become trapped against the bumper to breathe through the fabric. BreathableBaby's exclusive fabric with Sure-Breathe Technology helps maintain air access and reduces risks of suffocation. Visit www.breathablebaby.com for more in formation.

Infant CPR Anytime™

Infant CPR training is now convenient for virtually everyone with Infant CPR Anytime™ training. Caregivers can train themselves in proper infant resuscitation in their own home with a 22 minute DVD and reusable training manikin. The product was developed in coordination with the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics using the technology of Laerdal Medical. For more information visit www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3045660.

InstantAmber™

InstantAmber™ has created an on-line storage service to allow parents to rapidly respond in the event of a missing child. All of a child's identifying information including photos is stored securely for instant submission to authorities. Visit www.instantamber.com for more information.

Digitsaver™

Digitsaver™ pinch guards prevent doors from slamming on children's fingers. With the appearance of stuffed animals, these devices attach to door knobs and block doors from closing completely. For more information visit www.digitsaver.com.

About Child Safety House Calls:

Established in 2007 by pediatric emergency physicians, Child Safety House Calls is the nation's first pediatrician-founded child safety company. Child Safety House Calls provides individualized expert advice and comprehensive residential and commercial childproofing services. In addition, the organization promotes child safety education and advocates nationally for proper childproofing. More information including child safety resources for parents, safety product evaluations, and a child safety product on-line store is available at www.ChildSafetyHouseCalls.com

References:

1. Injuries among infants treated in emergency departments in the United States, 2001-2004. Mack KA, Gilchrist J, Ballesteros MF. Pediatrics. 2008 May;121(5):930-7.

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Contact Information Joel Clingenpeel

Child Safety House Calls

http://www.ChildSafetyHouseCalls.com

866-200-7233

James Schmidt

Child Safety House Calls

http://www.ChildSafetyHouseCalls.com

866-200-7233



Thursday, February 26, 2009

Extended Membership Promotion and Photo Contest

Extended Membership Promotion and Photo Contest

BabyHomePages.net is celebrating its 3 millionth photo upload by offering an Extended Membership package and a photo contest awarding the winner their child's website free for a lifetime.

Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) February 26, 2009 -- BabyHomePages.net is celebrating its 3 millionth photo upload by offering an Extended Membership package and a photo contest awarding the winner their child's website free for a lifetime. BabyHomePages.net, a parent-generated baby's first website platform, reached the 3 millionth photo upload in February.

"The lucky member to upload the 4 millionth photo becomes a lifetime member and their website will reside with BabyHomePages for life," said Eric Johnson, president of Eleven, Inc., Babyhomepages.net founding company.

The Extended Membership package enables members to receive 10 years of premium baby websites for $100. This offer makes member websites less than a $1 a month.

"This is lower than our original price when we first started back in 2001," said Johnson.

With the Extended Membership package BabyHomePages' members will receive all the bonus features on the site including a new site feature that allows members to syndicate their website onto a RSS feed. Members use content from their BabyHomePages.net site to automatically feed other websites such as a Google desktop, a blog or a Yahoo widget.

As part of this promotion, from March 1 to March 31, 5% of the Extended Membership package profit will be donated to Littlest Heroes. The Littlest Heroes Project is a non-profit based organization founded in January 2008. It is comprised of professional photographers nationwide that provide free photo sessions to children suffering from a serious illness. These photographers provide families an opportunity to capture memories.

The largest online community of parent created websites, BabyHomePages, gives parents a chance to start social networking with their children starting before birth. Custom website templates allow parents to personalize, highlight and share family experiences with loved ones across the street as well across the globe. Parents have the option of purchasing a PDF version of their website to print and use as a scrapbook. Using BabyHomePages is also priceless to someone who has lost photos in a natural disaster or emergency. The memories are safely stored on a secure server.

Another part of this online community is TalkingAboutKids.com, a parent-to-parent global message board website from Eleven, Inc. and BabyHomePages. It provides ways to get tips on updating member websites. The goal is to give users an easy way to create a personalized website with many customizable options. There is even a forum for members to share suggestions.

For additional information about BabyHomePages visit www.BabyHomePages.net or contact Eric Johnson at (704) 780-4617.

About Eleven, Inc.:

Eleven, Inc., owns and operates www.BabyHomePages.net, which was born in 2001. They have invested their time into continuing to evolve BabyHomePages.net into the most comprehensive user created website forum on the Internet focusing on children. The group emphasizes the ease of use so that anyone can develop and moderate a personal website. The mission is to create a fast and easy way for parents and children to share pictures and personal content by creating their own unique website.

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Contact Information Eric Johnson

Baby Home Pages

http://www.babyhomepages.net

7042224890

Tricia Vevurka

Baby Home Pages

http://www.babyhomepages.net



U.S. Vaccine Court Rules MMR Vaccine Causes Autism Disorders: Thoughtful House Says Decision Contradicts Findings in Controversial Cedillo Case

U.S. Vaccine Court Rules MMR Vaccine Causes Autism Disorders: Thoughtful House Says Decision Contradicts Findings in Controversial Cedillo Case

Courts continue to rule there is evidence that autism disorders may be connected to measles-mumps-rubella vaccines. U.S. government policy and most health care providers disagree. Researcher Dr. Andrew Wakefield and others insist the science is not settled and further studies are required to determine if there are genetic or biological markers for children who might be susceptible to autism spectrum disorders after vaccines.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) February 26, 2009 -- The controversial Feb. 12 decision by the Federal Vaccine Court (Editors - please note this is the court's name - hears only vaccine cases) in Washington, D.C. that there was no link between MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccines and autism contradicts a ruling issued by the same court in June of 2007, according to autism researcher Dr. Andrew Wakefield of Thoughtful House Treatment Center. In addition, just days after its announcement denying the vaccine-autism link in the Cedillo case, the court awarded an estimated $3 million dollars to the family of 10 year-old Bailey Banks on Friday, February 20, 2009, court documents confirm (http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/BANKS_CASE.pdf). The written statement by the court's Office of Special Masters concedes that the child's acute brain damage was a result of the MMR vaccine, which led to his autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Although the U.S. vaccine court continues official denials to the public of any connection between the MMR shots and autism, it quietly settled the case with the Banks family. Special Master Richard Abell wrote that the family had successfully demonstrated "the MMR vaccine at issue actually caused the conditions from which Bailey suffered and continues to suffer."

Awards have been granted to three families because the vaccine court has decided there was in fact a causative connection between the MMR 3-in-1 shot and brain damage in these children, according to CBS News (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/12/cbsnews_investigates/main4086809.shtml?source=search_story). That damage resulted in an autism spectrum disorder, and as many as 1,300 awards may have been granted. Vaccines have also been found to be causally related to autism spectrum disorders in seven other known cases by the same court. In the Banks decision, the court relied on a report based on a complete neurological investigation, including an MRI scan 16 days after his MMR shot. He was diagnosed with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), a neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which is known to follow immunization.

"I am personally aware of many, many parents who report these exact symptoms in their children following MMR immunization," said Dr. Andrew Wakefield, Executive Director of Thoughtful House, an autism treatment center in Austin, Texas. "Very few children with autistic regression receive the proper work-up that Bailey had during the early stage of the disease, so a possible ADEM diagnosis may well have been missed in the other children. The MRI findings often disappear after the damage has been done."

Signs of ADEM usually appear within a few days or a few weeks after immunization or infection, often beginning with gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms. The disease progresses to neurological deterioration including loss of eye contact, ataxia (poor coordination), changes in mental status, delirium, lethargy, and seizures.

"The contradictory rulings from the vaccine court regarding vaccines and autism demonstrate that we still don't have a definitive answer," said Dr. Bryan Jepson, an autism specialist at Thoughtful House. "We need to realize that the question of the MMR's possible contribution to autism remains a matter of scientific debate. Ultimately, the correct answer will come through honest, transparent, and rigorous scientific study, not from a court bench."

About Thoughtful House:

Thoughtful House takes a multi-disciplinary approach to treating autism and supports a 'safety-first' vaccination policy that gives parents the option of choosing a stand-alone measles vaccine for their children. The research program at Thoughtful House is dedicated to understanding the biological origins of childhood developmental disorders and establishing best practices in treating children affected by these disorders. www.thoughtfulhouse.org

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Contact Information James Moore

Thoughtful House

http://www.thoughtfulhouse.org

512-300-9232



Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Unique New Product Spray'n Swallow� Makes Pill Swallowing a Breeze for Millions of Americans

Unique New Product Spray'n Swallow® Makes Pill Swallowing a Breeze for Millions of Americans

Marlenk Innovations, Inc., a Tampa, Florida-based company, announces the introduction of Spray'n Swallow® a 100% all-natural, way to help people swallow pills. Spray'n Swallow's proprietary formulation lubricates and helps pills glide down the throat as well as mask the after taste of many medications. With the ever growing use of both prescription medications and vitamins and supplements, Spray'n Swallow® offers a real solution for many Americans both young and old who struggle with this problem.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 -- Marlenk Innovations, Inc., a Tampa, Florida-based company, announces the introduction of Spray'n Swallow® a 100% all-natural, way to help people swallow pills. Spray'n Swallow's proprietary formulation lubricates and helps pills glide down the throat as well as mask the after taste of many medications.

The power behind Spray'n Swallow® is a patent pending formula that is GRAS approved and includes some of the same ingredients that are used to make soft gel caps. It is a blend of medium chain triglycerides, natural vitamin E, lecithin, and natural flavors. Plus it's very easy to use… just spray on both sides of any pill and swallow with any liquid. Spray'n Swallow® is a far superior alternative to crushing pills, cutting tablets, which can be life threatening, or mixing medications with food.

Although not widely known, research has shown that over 40% of the US population have trouble swallowing pills (120 million people) with nearly 60% of seniors and 60% of children under the age of 11. Combined with the ever growing use of both prescription medications (estimated to double in the next decade) and vitamins and supplements, Spray'n Swallow® offers a real solution for many Americans both young and old who struggle with this problem.

Spray'n Swallow® is available in 1 and 2 ounce spray bottles, has a 100% Money-Back Guarantee and a Toll-Free consumer line for ordering or to answer any product questions. For additional information on Spray'n Swallow® or for a free trial sample, call 1-888-877-7294, or visit www.spraynswallow.com.

Spray'n Swallow® is a registered trademark of Marlenk Innovations, Inc.

About Marlenk Innovations, Inc.

Luise Lenk, President of Marlenk Innovations, Inc.

5701 Mariner St. Suite 202, Tampa Fl. 33609. 813-282-6983

In 2005, Luise Lenk established Marlenk Innovations, Inc. to develop and market the Spray'n Swallow® product. Having dealt with swallowing issues all her life and knowing how many other people have the same problem (research has shown over 40% of the population has swallowing issues) Luise set out to find an answer that would be easy to use, all natural and inexpensive so everyone could afford it. Spray'n Swallow® is the end result of that dream.

Marlenk Innovations, Inc. distributor for Spray'n Swallow® as well as other products created to "Make Life a Little Easier Every Day!"

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Contact Information John Marinello

Marlenk Innovations, Inc.

http://www.spraynswallow.com

813 289 5441



Monday, February 23, 2009

Ugandan Children Receive Life-Saving Treatment For Heart Defects At Children's National Medical Center

Ugandan Children Receive Life-Saving Treatment For Heart Defects At Children's National Medical Center

Through partnership with Samaritan's Purse and Gift of Life, patients travel to United States **Media Note: Patients will be at Children's National for farewell visit on Tuesday, February 24**

Washington, DC --On February 12, two Ugandan children received life-saving procedures at Children's National Medical Center (http://www.childrensnational.org/?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda) to correct severe heart defects. Without cardiac surgery, the young boys would likely have died before adulthood, but they now have a normal life expectancy.

As part of the Phase I of a global initiative to bring attention to the health needs of Ugandan children, 15-month-old Daniel Kamaramasu and 2 ½-year-old Allan Wassanyi traveled 5,000 miles to receive treatment unavailable at home. Daniel, who was born with a blocked valve between his heart and lungs, was successfully treated using a cardiac catheterization balloon procedure by Michael Slack, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocId=470&Name=Michael%20Slack?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda). Allan, who had a very large hole in his heart, underwent successful open heart surgery by Richard Jonas, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocID=1195&Name=Richard%20Jonas?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda).

The boys came to Children's National through a partnership with international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, Gift of Life International (GOLI), and other organizations. Through this partnership, pediatric cardiologist Craig Sable, MD (http://www.childrensnational.org/FindADoctor/Doctor_Marqui.aspx?DocId=424&Name=Craig%20Sable?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda) has led seven medical missions to Uganda in an effort to provide treatment for patients and ultimately build a sustainable cardiac surgery program in Uganda. More than 100 children have received life-saving treatment since the program began in 2003.

"With the dedication of organizations like Samaritan's Purse and Gift of Life, patients from around the world have access to the expert pediatric care that is available to children in the United States," said Dr. Sable.

Added Cindy Bonsall, director of Samaritan's Purse's Children's Heart Project: "We're glad this partnership has enabled so many Ugandan children to receive the cardiac care they deserve. We're glad they will be returning home soon with a second chance at life."

A key component of the missions to Uganda has been training Ugandan surgeons. Through training provided by Dr. Sable and colleagues, Ugandan surgeons are now on the verge of doing simple cardiac procedures on their own. Dr. Sable directs the Telemedicine Program at Children's National, which provides training and educational opportunities around the world.

The groups have joined forces to implement "Our Hearts Are In Uganda," which will focus all of GOLI's efforts in Uganda. The first phase of the program included treatment for Daniel, Allan, and three other children at hospitals in the United States. The next phase will bring 25 more Ugandan children to hospitals throughout the world to receive life-saving treatment for heart defects.

"We have saved the lives of more than 10,000 children, and through this partnership, we hope to expand our reach, to ultimately create a program in Uganda to ensure that all the children have access to the medical care they need," said Lou del Rosario, vice chairman of GOL District 7230, who was instrumental in raising funds for Allan's operation.

MEDIA NOTE: The patients will be returning to Children's National for a farewell visit on Tuesday, February 24. The patients and Dr. Craig Sable will be available for interviews. Contact Emily Dammeyer or Jenn Leischer at 202-476-4500.

About Children's National Medical Center (http://www.childrensnational.org/about/?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_medium=2_23&utm_campaign=uganda)

Children's National Medical Center, located in Washington, DC, is a proven leader in the development of innovative new treatments for childhood illness and injury. Children's has been serving the nation's children for more than 135 years. Children's National is proudly ranked among the best pediatric hospitals in America by US News & World Report and the Leapfrog Group. For more information, visit www.childrensnational.org.

About Samaritan's Purse

Samaritan's Purse identifies children needing life-saving heart treatment through its' Children's Heart Project. The international relief organization identifies children overseas who need heart surgery, matches them with hospitals and specialists willing to donate their time and services, places them with a local host family, and arranges international travel and an interpreter. More than 550 children from nine countries have been brought to North America for medical and surgical care not available in their home countries.

About Gift of Life International

Gift of Life is a Rotary based program in more than 50 Rotary Clubs and Districts on 6 continents. GOLI aims to save as many children's lives as possible by providing life saving open heart surgery to children from infancy to 18 years of age with congenital heart defects. GOLI has been responsible for saving more than 10,000 lives during the past 33 years.

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Contact Information Emily Dammeyer

Children's National Medical Center

http://www.childrensnational.org

202-476-4500



Growing Sound Launches Website Selling Children's Music Promoting Social Emotional Developmental

Growing Sound Launches Website Selling Children's Music Promoting Social Emotional Developmental

Growing Sound has recently launched an e-commerce website to distribute its music that helps children get ready for school and ready for life. The website, located at shop.childreninc.org, is dedicated to early child development through children's music for education. Growing Sound encourages social emotional development for children ages 0-8. For the launch Growing Sound is offering a onetime discount of 20% off your entire order. Just enter LAUNCH09 as the coupon code when you check out for your discount.

Covington, KY (PRWEB) February 23, 2009 -- Children, Inc. one of the largest providers of high quality child care in the State of Kentucky, announces the launch of its new website dedicated to helping children learn. The site, called Growing Sound, offers downloadable children's music that encourages social emotional development for new born to grade school age children. The songs featured on the site are specifically designed to stimulate growth in all areas of a child's life, especially those with developmental and behavioral concerns. Visit http://shop.childreninc.org for more information.

In order to further their mission and provide a valuable resource to parents and educators, Children, Inc. has recently launched the e-commerce social venture Growing Sound located at shop.childreninc.org. Growing Sound, is a brand new, one-of-a-kind resource providing parents with children's music (http://shop.childreninc.org) that incorporate findings from child development research. There are songs for infants to school age children written and produced by Cincinnati talent and CCM graduate David Kisor who has vast experience with impactful children's songs. For the launch of this wonderful parent resource, Growing Sound is offering a 20% discount off your entire order now through the end of March. Just enter in the coupon code LAUNCH09 when you check out for your discount.

Growing Sound is an on-going celebration of positive growth through songs, books and videos. Children have fun singing while parents help their children develop skills for school readiness. Growing Sound enhances every child's natural growth and development and is also useful for children who have developmental and behavioral concerns. The materials stimulate growth in all areas of the child's life; including social-emotional skills, learning skills, and literacy.

Growing Sound songs, books and videos are available in traditional formats as well as electronic downloads, making them easy to use at home, in the car and at school. The Growing Sound songs can be purchased and downloaded immediately from shop.childreninc.org. Or, if you prefer, a CD can be mailed to you.

Tom Lottman, Deputy Director of Children, Inc. and Director of Growing Sound, states that, "Music is a powerful learning tool. Early in life children internalize powerful 'self-talk' about themselves, other people and the world in general. This self-talk can be very positive or very negative. Through positive self-talk songs like, 'I Can Do It,' we help children internalize self-talk of confidence and competence."

"A growing body of research confirms the relationship between high quality preschool and later success in school and in life... the process of listening to music could be a way that the brain sharpens its ability to sustain attention." -- Stanford University School of Medicine, July 2007.

About Children, Inc.

Children, Inc., located in Covington, KY, has been providing services to develop more effective families, classrooms and communities for more than thirty years. Children, Inc. aims to get children "Ready for School and Ready for Life." Children, Inc. provides day care services including child care (http://www.childreninc.org) for children in a variety of settings, partners with families to extend these developmental experiences and collaborates with the community to create opportunities that strengthen all families. In order to further this mission, the non-profit decided to make its musical products available to parents through new avenues. Historically the organization has worked with schools, teachers, childcare centers, and the Kaplan Early Learning Company to distribute the educational songs (http://shop.childreninc.org) to professional educators and mental health professionals.

In order to make the products available to parents, Children, Inc. decided to create shop.childreninc.org for distribution. Individuals looking for products that do more than just entertain children can purchase items at shop.childreninc.org. Log on and listen to a clip of a song like 'It's up to Me' and then enter your information and you can purchase the song or the entire album. Visitors to the site can also read about the research that helps to form the songs. Parents can use the products and songs found at Growing Sound to help establish Confidence, Belonging, Motivation and Self-control in young children.

Contact:

Jordan Huizenga

Children, Inc.

859.431.2075

http://www.childreninc.org

Visit www.childreninc.org to find out more about Growing Sound and Children, Inc and our early childhood education.

# # #



Contact Information Jordan Huizenga

Growing Sound

http://shop.childreninc.org

8594312075



Thursday, February 19, 2009

Global Ventricular Assist Devices Market to reach $1.2 Billion by 2014, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Ventricular Assist Devices Market to reach $1.2 Billion by 2014, According to New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Driven by enhanced focus on development of next generation devices, and widening demand and supply gap for heart transplantation, the global market for ventricular assist devices is projected to exceed $1.2 billion by 2014.

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) February 19, 2009 -- Globally, about one million people suffer from end-stage heart failure. With demand for heart transplantation, the traditional procedure for end-stage heart failure, surpassing the availability of donor hearts, use of ventricular assist devices (VADs) has emerged as an ideal alternative form of treatment for such patients. Development of VADs with improved design, features and durability is expected to expand its adoption across a broader patient population, including women and children.

Besides, the arrival of second generation and third generation VADs has expanded the scope of using destination therapy as an early intervention measure in the treatment of heart failure, thereby offering hope to several heart failure patients. Destination Therapy holds vast potential in the overall ventricular assist devices (VAD) (http://www.strategyr.com/Ventricular_Assist_Devices_Market_Report.asp) market, driven primarily by the benefits of procedure when compared to conventional heart transplantations. Further, the procedure holds promise owing to its use among patients who are otherwise ineligible for donor hearts due to old age or severe sickness.

United States represents the largest market for VADs, as stated in a recent report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. A major driver for the use of VADs in United States is the recommendation by various medical associations for using alternative therapies (including VADs) in the treatment of advanced stage cardiac failure patients. The adoption of VADs is also affected by factors such as cost of device, competition from drug industry, reimbursement levels, and time period for gaining FDA approvals.

Thoratec Corporation is the predominant player with about 50% share of the global VAD market. Other key players operating in the market include Abiomed Inc., Berlin Heart GmbH, EvaHeart Medical USA Inc., Jarvik Heart Inc., MicroMed Cardiovascular Inc., SynCardia Systems Inc., Terumo Heart Inc., Ventracor Limited, and World Heart Corporation.

The report titled "Ventricular Assist Devices: A Global Strategic Business Report" published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., provides a review of market dynamics, trends, issues, and competition pertaining to the market. The report enumerates recent product introductions/innovations, developments, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities. Analysis is presented for the period 2005-2015 for United States, Europe, and Rest of World.

For more details about this research report, please visit

http://www.strategyr.com/Ventricular_Assist_Devices_Market_Report.asp

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (GIA) (http://www.strategyr.com) is a reputed publisher of off-the-shelf market research. Founded in 1987, the company is globally recognized as one of the world's largest market research publishers. The company employs more than 700 people worldwide and publishes more than 880 full-scale research reports each year. Additionally, the company also offers a range of more than 60,000 smaller research products including company reports, market trend reports and industry reports encompassing all major industries worldwide.

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Telephone 408-528-9966

Fax 408-528-9977

Web Site http://www.StrategyR.com

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Contact Information Public Relations

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

http://www.StrategyR.com/

(408) 528-9966



Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Albany High School Students Unite To Raise Awareness and Funds For World Rare Disease Day 2009

Albany High School Students Unite To Raise Awareness and Funds For World Rare Disease Day 2009

"Change For Change" Campaign Part of International Effort to Combat Rare Diseases That Collectively Effect 1 in 10 Americans

Albany, CA and Laguna Woods, CA (PRWEB) February 18, 2009 -- Students at Albany High School in Albany, California, are asking classmates, teachers and parents if they can spare some change to help support the first annual World Rare Disease Day, an international event being held February 28, 2009. About 1 in 10 American's, or 30 million people in the United States, suffer from what is termed Rare Disease with about 75 percent of cases afflicting children. The goal of World Rare Disease Day 2009 is to raise global awareness of Rare Disease with policy makers and the public and educate people on how rare disease impacts patients and families.

The fundraising effort organized at Albany High School mirrors similar drives at schools and businesses around the country. The students at Albany High School formed the Red Bucket Club to support The Project: The Children's Rare Disease Network (www.theprojectcharity.org), a Laguna Woods, Calif.-based nonprofit organization that seeks to connect families with children afflicted by Rare Disease with information, resources and a platform for communication and collaboration.

"There's nothing rare about Rare Disease," said Nicole Boice, founder and CEO of The Project - The Children's Rare Disease Network. "Rare Disease is touching millions of people around the world and together we must start to make Rare Disease a global public health priority."

Rare diseases are life-threatening or chronically debilitating diseases with a low prevalence and a high level of complexity.

Approximately 7000 rare diseases have been identified often having deadly consequences or leaving children with severe cognitive impairment and physical disabilities. Because specific diseases may afflict few individuals, they often don't garner the attention of researchers and pharmaceutical companies. But rare diseases do share many commonalities -- from similar symptoms to quality of life issues surrounding raising a child with a rare disease to financial hardship faced by families.

Red Buckets Spare Change Campaign

The week leading up to World Rare Disease Day 2009, Julian Levine and fellow students at Albany High School will carry red buckets donated by Pastime Hardware in El Cerrito, Calif., to collect spare change from classmates. The spare change collected will be donated to The Project - The Children's Rare Disease Network to help with special programs being developed for the families of children with Rare Disease.

"When I learned that Rare Disease affect 10 times more people than breast cancer I was shocked," said Julian Levine, a freshman at Albany High School and organizer of the Red Bucket spare change collection event. "I didn't understand why Rare Disease hasn't received much attention and I felt I could do something to help. My goal is to create greater public awareness related to children suffering from rare disease, its prevalence, and the hope that they can help make a difference. The change collected will be donated to The Project - The Children's Rare Disease Network to help with special programs being developed for the families of children with Rare Disease.

In addition to the efforts at Albany High School, a number of other organizations and kids across the country have committed to help raise funds or create awareness surrounding World Rare Disease Day 2009 efforts including; Lamar Advertising in PA; Presbyterian Center for Children, WI; Learning Express, Reno, NV; St. John's Episcopal School, CA; St. Mary All Angels, CA; Don Juan Avila School, CA; Smoothie King, CA; Kathleen McTeague Dartez Challenge for Jouberts Syndrome, MD; University of Scranton, PA; Brigham Young University, UT; CureDuchenne, CA. The hope is that this year will become the catalyst for schools, businesses and individuals across the country to join the cause to build a broad national effort for World Rare Disease Day 2010.

About The Project - The Children's Rare Disease Network

The Project - The Children's Rare Disease Network is a non-profit organization that assists in the fight against children's rare disease. The mission and the promise of The Project is to build a collaborative communication environment providing connections between patients, physicians and the scientific community. The Project will aggregate current information and efforts related to rare disease into a seamless portal, enabling all of those affected by rare disease, to easily receive the support and resources they need. The network will also work to create greater public awareness related to children's rare disease and its impact on society. For more information regarding The Project's efforts, to make a donation, or contact one of the team please visit www.theprojectcharity.org.

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Contact Information Nicole Boice

The Project - The Children's Rare Disease Network

http://www.theprojectcharity.org

949.305.8656