Gwendolyn Strong Foundation Is Campaign Partner

RICHMOND, VA – Richmond-based Fight SMA announced today a new fundraising campaign for SMA gene therapy, “Realizing the Dream.”  FightSMA is collaborating with the Santa Barbara –based Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, to form a bi-coastal partnership with a common goal: to bring SMA gene therapy to clinical trial.

“Ten years ago, it would have been unheard of to say scientists were approaching a treatment or cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA),” said FightSMA President Martha Slay.  “Today, the dream is being realized in some of the most prestigious labs across the country.  Never before has there been such promise for SMA gene therapy.”

Beginning now and for the next three years, families and groups in the SMA community will raise funds to build a safe foundation, deliver genes to an SMA model, and produce adequate vector (gene delivery) supply.   These efforts will support Dr. Brian Kaspar of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University and other collaborating scientists.

FightSMA, working with the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation, a funding source for critical SMA science and awareness initiatives, invites the SMA community to make a decade-old dream come true. “Our SMA gene therapy program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Ohio State University continues to show great promise for treating SMA patients,” said Dr. Kaspar.

FightSMA’s objective for the balance of 2010 is to complete funding for Phase One, and for Year-One of Phase-Two of the research program.

“The first objective is to build a solid foundation of safety and to eliminate toxicity,” said Dr. Chris Lorson, FightSMA Science Director.”

Additionally, FightSMA plans to raise another $250,000 to fund the first year of Phase Two (Delivery & Efficacy).  The “Realizing the Dream” program will be accomplished through a series of campaigns.  Completing these two Phases will bring SMA gene therapy significantly closer to clinical trial.

FightSMA has been instrumental in helping to develop a gene therapy strategy to cure spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), including oligonucleotides and gene replacement vectors. The strides that SMA researchers have made in the gene therapy arena have provided insights into a range of genetic disorders, including other neurodegenerative disease (ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease, myotonic dystrophy, Huntington disease) and other diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

For more information on the FightSMA – Gwendolyn Strong Foundation partnership and “Realizing the Dream” campaign, visit www.fighsma.org or call 804-515-0080.

FightSMA was created to strategically accelerate the search for a treatment and cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the number-one inherited cause of infant death. The organization pursues this objective by raising awareness and funding for SMA research.

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(Richmond, VA) – With its extra-long days, heat and humidity, summertime always represents a challenge for getting a good night’s sleep. With many Americans cutting back on air conditioning as a way to save money, the quest for good sleep is even more difficult. A leading sleep advice website is offering assistance, however, with tips to help people cope with the seasonal strain.

“Longer days and heat in the summer can really have a profound effect on our sleep patterns,” said Dan Schecter, vice president of consumer products at Carpenter Co., and creator of SleepBetter.org. “If possible, work to keep your house dark and sheltered from the worst of the heat and sunshine of the day. Keep your home as cool as possible during the day with shades and blinds, especially if you want to avoid high air-conditioning bills.”

Schecter says the ideal sleeping temperature is 68–72 degrees Fahrenheit, which can be a challenge to achieve in the summertime. A ceiling fan in the bedroom can be a major help: the swooshing sound and cool breeze can help provide a favorable environment for good night’s rest.

Here are some more summer sleep tips from SleepBetter.org:

• Avoid hot, heavy meals at dinnertime. A rich dinner can come back to haunt you in the middle of the night, especially in the summer.
• Make sure your bed clothes are made up of cool, lightweight and breathable fabrics. Your sheets, blankets and pillows can make a major difference in your summer comfort.
• Take a cool bath or shower before bedtime.
• Don’t make major changes in your regular routine, even during summer break. Staying up late, sleeping in and extra long naps can interfere with your normal sleep patterns.
• If you have long hair, put it up in a ponytail or bun on the top of your head so it isn’t covering your neck and shoulders.
• In extraordinarily hot periods, look for the coolest room in your house to sleep. During a heat wave, don’t be reluctant to have a “family campout” in the basement.

For more tips to help you sleep better, please visit http://sleepbetter.org. You can also get sleep advice from SleepBetter on Twitter and Facebook.

About Carpenter Co. / SleepBetter.org

SleepBetter.org is dedicated to helping people sleep better. Designed as an online resource, the web site creates a forum for visitors to define, discuss, and discover solutions to their particular sleep needs. SleepBetter.org’s quest is to continually gather pertinent sleep information, then share this knowledge with the general public. The site also shares tips on the best sleep related products, both in stores and online. SleepBetter.org has created the Sleep Better seal as a way to easily identify products recommended for their superior quality or scientifically based design. Created by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products, SleepBetter.org provides information and advice that visitors can use to sleep better. For more information, please visit http://SleepBetter.org.

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(Richmond, Va.) – Sheltering Arms Hospital South, located at St. Francis Medical Center in Chesterfield, Virginia, has received an honor that reinforces the high level of care its Inpatient Rehabilitation teams give to patients every day. The hospital received a ‘Disease-Specific Care Certification’ in Stroke Rehabilitation through The Joint Commission.

The certification and Gold Seal of Approval™ from The Joint Commission means that Sheltering Arms’ Stroke Rehabilitation program complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care. The Joint Commission accredits and certifies health care organizations and programs throughout the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

“We’re thrilled with this honor, and I would like to thank our physicians, nurses and therapists for their hard work, leadership and high level of clinical competence which made this possible,” said Sheltering Arms CEO James Sok.

Stroke survivors often face complex problems and challenges that are as varied as each individual person. Accordingly, a stroke rehabilitation program must be broad and sophisticated to assist each patient toward maximal progress and recovery. Sheltering Arms offers a full range of services to help stroke survivors and their family members at its two hospitals and seven outpatient clinics, utilizing personal care and technologies as BIONess and SaeboFlex.

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 http www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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Pillow Giveaway Added for Selected Bedtime Story Submissions

(Richmond, VA) – SleepBetter.org, the web’s premier source for news, tips, and information on how to sleep better, announced today that it is expanding its program to teach parents how to help their children settle down for a good night’s sleep. The Bedtime Stories Project launched in May and includes a partnership with movie and TV star Betty White. It’s an effort to revive the practice of incorporating bedtime stories into a healthy sleep routine.

The Bedtime Stories Project is designed to show the value of using a bedtime tale to help children calm down before “lights out.” A survey conducted by SleepBetter found that families overwhelmingly prefer stories they create for their own enjoyment. The Bedtime Stories Project is collecting original bedtime tales by its site visitors as a way to showcase their creativity and encourage families to continue creating them.

“We’re concerned that bedtime stories are being replaced by television and video games,” said Dan Schecter, vice president of consumer products at Carpenter Co., and creator of SleepBetter.org. “A well-rested child is healthier, happier, and performs better in school, and bedtime stories have an almost magical power to help them end their day and drift off to sleep.”

SleepBetter.org visitors have submitted 100 stories to the project, and that number is still growing. Because of this outstanding response, SleepBetter is adding more rewards for the authors. One reward already included in the project is an illustration by internationally-known artist Bill Nelson. Nelson has illustrated covers for Time, Newsweek, Atlantic Monthly, and TV Guide. He also created the beautiful illustrations for the Sleepy Tales Book found on SleepBetter.org. The author of a story submission chosen by SleepBetter will receive a hand-drawn and colored illustration of his or her story by Nelson.

In addition to these two rewards, SleepBetter has decided to award prizes to four runners-up. The authors of each of these stories will receive a SleepBetter pillow by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products. Carpenter Co. bedding products can be found at a variety of retailers, including JCPenney and Bed Bath & Beyond. For more information, please visit http://carpenter.com.

The deadline for submissions to The Bedtime Stories Project is June 30. The five finalists will be announced in early July.

One author who submitted her story to The Bedtime Stories Project has already been rewarded. The story Cotton Candy and the Big Mouth Frog, written by Bonnie Cox Harrison of Virginia, was chosen to be read at an event in late May by Betty White. Video and images from the event can be found at The Bedtime Stories Project web site.

For more information on The Bedtime Stories Project, and to submit a story, please visit http://sleepbetter.org/bedtimestories

About Carpenter Co. / SleepBetter.org

SleepBetter.org is dedicated to helping people sleep better. Designed as an online resource, the web site creates a forum for visitors to define, discuss, and discover solutions to their particular sleep needs. SleepBetter.org’s quest is to continually gather pertinent sleep information, then share this knowledge with the general public. The site also shares tips on the best sleep related products, both in stores and online. SleepBetter.org has created the Sleep Better seal as a way to easily identify products recommended for their superior quality or scientifically based design. Created by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products, SleepBetter.org provides information and advice that visitors can use to sleep better. For more information, please visit http://SleepBetter.org .

(Richmond, VA) – Wedding bells and sleepless nights can go hand-in-hand this time of year. June remains the most popular month for weddings in the U.S. and getting married not only is one of the most important events in a person’s life, it’s also one of the most stressful. So, a leading sleep advice web site is offering tips to help brides and grooms cope with the strain.

“Weddings usually are wonderful and joyous events,” said Dan Schecter, vice president of consumer products at Carpenter Co., and creator of SleepBetter.org. “But considering all the months of preparation and planning that go into the average wedding these days – not to mention the money involved – it’s no surprise that the bride and groom can feel pressure and tension along with their happiness.”

Schecter says getting proper rest as the big day approaches can help wedding partners be at their best for a milestone day they hope to remember their whole lives. “There really is such a thing as ‘beauty sleep.’ Beauty sleep is getting enough sleep that you wake feeling rested and rejuvenated. Improving your sleeping routine can be the best way to go from feeling droopy and slow in the morning to feeling like you’re ready to take on the world with shining eyes and a quick smile.”

Here are more June wedding stress relief tips from SleepBetter.org:

• Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, which suppress deep sleep, within three to six hours of bedtime.
• Do your best to put aside wedding planning two to three hours before sleeping.
• Write out a “worry list” or “to-do list” of bothersome matters before bed to help your mind disengage.
• Sure, there’s a lot going on, but do your best to keep to a regular sleep pattern: Retire within two hours and rise within one hour of the same time every day, even on weekends.

For tips to help you sleep better, please visit http://sleepbetter.org. You can also get sleep advice from SleepBetter on Twitter and Facebook.

About Carpenter Co. / SleepBetter.org
SleepBetter.org is dedicated to helping people sleep better. Designed as an online resource, the web site creates a forum for visitors to define, discuss, and discover solutions to their particular sleep needs. SleepBetter.org’s quest is to continually gather pertinent sleep information, then share this knowledge with the general public. The site also shares tips on the best sleep related products, both in stores and online. SleepBetter.org has created the Sleep Better seal as a way to easily identify products recommended for their superior quality or scientifically based design. Created by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products, SleepBetter.org provides information and advice that visitors can use to sleep better. For more information, please visit http://SleepBetter.org .

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(Los Angeles, May 24, 2010) – Bruce Lee’s teachings and martial arts mastery are legendary. His spirit remains an inspiration to an untold number of people around the world. Now the powerful name of the icon comes to the iTunes®, App Store with Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, developed for the iPad®, iPhone®, and iPod touch®. The game, which brings Bruce Lee’s history and legacy to life, is available worldwide for $4.99, and is the first and only fighting game in the iTunes®, App Store to bear his name.

The game is co-published and co-developed in partnership with Universal Partnerships & Licensing by two of the top mobile game companies in the industry, Indiagames (http://www.indiagames.com) and Digital Legends Entertainment (http://www.digital-legends.com). The Bruce Lee Estate contributed guidance and support through Bruce Lee Enterprises, the licensing company helmed by Bruce’s daughter, Shannon Lee.

A masterpiece of the 3D martial arts genre, the game uses motion-capture technology and features players fighting in historical locations around the world in an attempt to become the Master of Martial Arts. Customizable fighting styles make Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior highly user-friendly and the game also boasts the most realistic fighting game environment possible on these devices. Loosely based on the events of Bruce Lee’s career, the game honors the martial arts legacy left by one of its greatest masters. Players follow Lee’s journey as he trains with a Kung Fu master, then fights in tournaments and later faces his worst enemies.

There are many fighting games on the market, but Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior is the only one in the iTunes®, App Store with the Bruce Lee heritage, as well as the most authentic and realistic graphics and game play. Designed for casual players and hardcore gamers alike, it is easy to pick up and play, but more difficult to master. The game features motion capture from those who studied Lee’s style, as well as facial animations, environmental animations and a custom soundtrack.

The primary motion capture subject for Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior was Joaquin Marcelo, a student of Ted Wong, a board member of the Bruce Lee Foundation. Wong was a private pupil of Bruce Lee himself, and teaches the martial arts style and philosophy he learned from the master.

“I was thrilled with how the game turned out,” said Shannon Lee. “It surpassed my highest expectations.”

“The input from those who best know Bruce Lee’s teachings was invaluable during the development of Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior,” said Vishal Gondal, CEO of Indiagames. “Their mastery of Lee’s style of martial arts style has helped us make the most authentic game possible.”

“Their mastery of Bruce Lee’s style and technique has enabled us to create the premier mobile game in the fighting genre,” said Xavier Carrillo, CEO of Digital Legends. “Working on this international project from Barcelona, Mumbai and Los Angeles, has been tremendously gratifying, and we have taken full advantage of our previous experience on fighting games as well as our cutting-edge 3D technology.”

“This game highlights Bruce Lee’s everlasting impact on our culture,” said Calvin Lim, Director of Mobile Sales, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. “Capturing the essence of his spirit for these digital platforms will beget new generations of Bruce Lee fans.”

Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior was designed specifically for the iPad®, iPod touch®, & iPhone®, but will also be available for play on other mobile phones.

For more information on Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, go to the following URLs:

iPad:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bruce-lee-dragon-warrior-hd/id364676826?mt=8
iPhone: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bruce-lee-dragon-warrior/id372377860?mt=8

About Bruce Lee Enterprises
Bruce Lee Enterprises owns, controls and licenses intellectual property related to Bruce Lee and Brandon Lee worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.brucelee.com.

About Indiagames
Indiagames Ltd. is India’s largest games company and a pioneer in mobile and online games. The company has established relationships with more than 80 telecom operators across 67 countries around the world, including Vodafone, Verizon, T mobile, AT&T, Hutch, Airtel and many more. Indiagames also has relationships with all major game publishers and media companies in the world, including EA, Disney, THQ, Atari, Universal, Fox, Warner brothers, Sony, MTV, 2K and others. Indiagames has developed and published mobile games such as Bioshock, Garfield, Flavor Of love, Godzilla, Bruce Lee, The Office, Scorpion King, Cricket 20-20, Movin Maze, and others. The company also runs the only subscription-based games on demand service for PC games across all major broadband operators in India. For more information on Indiagames, please visit http://www.indiagames.com.

About DLE
Digital Legends Entertainment (DLE) is Barcelona’s international games development studio, distinguished worldwide by award-winning 3D iPhone and smartphone games powered by in-house cutting-edge technology across native platforms.

DLE origins in 2001 were on PC and console games, and since 2006 its exclusive focus is on mobile native platforms envisioning a convergence between mobile and handheld digital consumption and technologies. DLE has won nominations from 1up.com as “Best E3 Mobile Game” “Best Cell Game of the Year” for the fighting game “ONE” in 2005. Also has been winner of “Excellence in 3D” by International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA) in 2008 for “ONE” sequel and includes other honours like “Best Gameplay” nominee by IMGA in 2009 for the music game “Dance Fabulous” and winner of the “People’s Choice Award” by IMGA in 2009 and 2010. Its B2B customers include major game Publishers, market leading OEM’s like Nokia and Samsung and also technology suppliers. For more information on Digital Legends Entertainment, please visit http://www.digital-legends.com.

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

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(Richmond, Virginia ) —Richmond, Virginia-based FightSMA, a nonprofit dedicated to developing a treatment for the deadly childhood crippler spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is awarding a $250,000 research grant to Dr. Brian Kaspar, a principal investigator at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and associate professor of The Ohio State University.

The grant will support safety and toxicity studies for AAV(-9), a potential “delivery system” for gene therapy for the treatment of SMA. “Our SMA gene therapy program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University continues to show great promise for treating SMA patients,” said Dr. Kaspar. “With this award, we will be able to test our therapy for potential safety or toxicity issues and provide important information for the regulatory process as we advance our program to the clinic in a swift and safe manner. We are all very thankful for the support of FightSMA.”

The grant has been made possible by funding both from FightSMA and from its associated partner organization, The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. “We are tremendously excited about the potential for gene therapy in SMA and our continuing collaboration with The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation and the SMA Community,” said FightSMA President Martha Slay. “Gene therapy research is a marathon run, but the work of Dr. Kaspar will advance the field significantly for SMA.”

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the leading genetic cause of infant death. SMA is caused by the absence of a gene that is critical for muscle strength, the SMN (“survivor motor neuron”) gene. That gene is absent in approximately one in 30 individuals. If both a man and woman are lacking the necessary SMN gene, the chances are 25% that any of their children will manifest SMA.

An objective of gene therapy is the restoration of the missing gene through delivery systems called “vectors.” Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is considered to be an attractive candidate for the construction of vectors.

FightSMA was created in 1991 with the mission to “strategically accelerate the development of a treatment or a cure for spinal muscular atrophy.” Working with the guidance of an international Scientific Advisory Committee, FightSMA has awarded SMA research grants at more than 40 universities and research institutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. FightSMA has chapters across the United States and in Canada.

For more information, contact: www.fightsma.org or 804.515.0080

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This release also available at:
PRWeb: FightSMA Awards $250,000 Grant to Gene Researcher at The Ohio State University
PRLog: Fight SMA Awards $250K Grant to Researcher at OSU

(Richmond, Va.) – Sheltering Arms is having a good week. Richmond’s premier physical therapy and rehabilitation healthcare provider has been notified this week that it has won two national awards and three statewide awards. Competing against healthcare organizations from across the U.S., Sheltering Arms was honored with a gold Aster Award, given only to the top five percent of entries. Sheltering Arms was also notified that it has earned an award in the 27th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, and has won three awards from the Virginia Society for Healthcare Marketing and Public Relations (VSHMPR).

Sheltering Arms was honored with a gold Aster Award for its Spine Clinic Brochure. One of the largest national competitions of its kind, The Aster Awards is hosted by Marketing Healthcare Today Magazine and Creative Images, Inc.. This elite program recognizes outstanding healthcare professionals for excellence in their advertising/marketing efforts for the calendar year 2009. This year, entries were received from approximately 3,000 organizations from across the United States as well as Canada and South America.

“It was an honor to have Sheltering Arms participate in the 2010 Aster Awards Competition. The quality of this year’s entries went well beyond the judges’ expectations,” said Melinda R. Lucas, Aster Awards Program Coordinator.

The same Spine Clinic Brochure that was honored with an Aster Award also won two additional awards. Sheltering Arms received a Bronze Award for the brochure in the 27th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, sponsored by Healthcare Marketing Report. The brochure was given a first place award by the VSHMPR. Sheltering Arms also received second place awards in that statewide competition for its 2008 Annual Report and its Power to Overcome Documentary.

“We’re obviously thrilled to receive these recognitions,” said James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. “While these are marketing awards, the pieces feature the exceptional care our team provides to Sheltering Arms patients every day. I am honored to lead an organization that is dedicated to quality on all levels.”

All winners of the Aster Awards are published at www.AsterAwards.com, as well as in Marketing Healthcare Today, a national healthcare marketing magazine.

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 http www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook (www.facebook.com/shelteringarms) or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sheltarmsrehab).

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(Richmond, Va.) - Still hunting for the perfect Mother’s Day gift idea? While it’s wonderful to give an outing with the family, beautiful gifts and, of course, flowers, one thing that mothers universally don’t have enough of is sleep. With Mother’s Day right around the corner on May 9th, leading sleep advice and information web site SleepBetter.org is offering tips to help sleep-challenged moms and the families who love them.

“Let’s face it, flowers and chocolates are fine, but what most moms need these days is a chance to re-charge their batteries,” said Dan Schecter, vice president of consumer products at Carpenter Co., and creator of SleepBetter.org. “Even if you can’t create a life of leisure for mom, you can help her make the most of the sleep opportunities that she does have.”

Schecter says the perfect gift for Mom might be an opportunity to take a nap on a busy day, or perhaps even an offer to get up with the kids in the morning (and not just on Mother’s Day!) so she can sleep in a little.

For families who want mom to be able to open a gift on Mother’s Day, Schecter suggests looking at a new generation of sleep products that can enhance the rest experience.

• Additional tips from SleepBetter.org to help mom (and dad, too) get a good night’s rest:
• Nap no later than 8 hours before you are planning to go to bed to avoid sleep interference.
• Put work aside two to three hours before sleeping.
• Write out a “worry list” or “to-do list” of bothersome matters before bed to help your mind disengage.
• Make the bedroom into a sanctuary. Try aromatherapy, or bring the freshness of the outdoors inside with air-dried sheets and sunned pillows and comforters.

For more tips to help you sleep better, please visit http://sleepbetter.org. You can also get sleep advice from SleepBetter on Twitter and Facebook.

About Carpenter Co. / SleepBetter.org
SleepBetter.org is dedicated to helping people sleep better. Designed as an online resource, the web site creates a forum for visitors to define, discuss, and discover solutions to their particular sleep needs. SleepBetter.org’s quest is to continually gather pertinent sleep information, then share this knowledge with the general public. The site also shares tips on the best sleep related products, both in stores and online. SleepBetter.org has created the Sleep Better seal as a way to easily identify products recommended for their superior quality or scientifically based design. Created by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products, SleepBetter.org provides information and advice that visitors can use to sleep better. For more information, please visit http://sleepbetter.org.

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FightSMA Canada has been awarded a C$250,000 research grant from CML HealthCare of Mississauga. The Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Foundation will match the grant, providing a total of C$500,000 to advance spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) research. The multi-year grant will support investigation into “clinic-ready agents” that can increase the presence of Survivor Motor Neuron, a protein that is essential for muscle strength and is deficient in children diagnosed with SMA.

“SMA is a devastating disease,” said CHEO research institute’s Dr. Alex MacKenzie. “It is the number-one genetic cause of death among infants.  This generous gift from CML HealthCare and the CHEO foundation will be key to moving the fight against SMA forward and will provide the thousands of children fighting this terrifying disease with hope for an effective treatment in the future,” said Dr. MacKenzie.

“CML HealthCare is excited about supporting the fight against SMA,” said Kent Nicholson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We are very impressed and inspired by the determination and dedication of the researchers and families fighting SMA, and we are proud to be a part of the fight.”

“I want to express my appreciation for the support that CML HealthCare has provided and for their continued dedication in helping us find a cure for SMA,” said Tracy Lacey, President of FightSMA Canada. “CML’s efforts have made our recent research funding campaign one of the most successful that we have ever had.”

As a leading Canadian provider of diagnostic medical services, CML HealthCare is dedicated to providing patients with Care. Confidence. Comfort.TM The nearly 40-year-old company is one of largest providers of medical imaging services in North America and one of the largest community-based providers of laboratory testing services in Ontario.

“It is companies with vision, like CML HealthCare, that are truly changing our world,” said Martha Slay, President of FightSMA. “We all benefit from their generosity and from their example.”

FightSMA is an international nonprofit corporation dedicated to developing a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). FightSMA has awarded SMA research grants to more than 40 universities and research institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

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CML HealthCare of Mississauga, Ontario has partnered with FightSMA Canada, to help find a cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the leading genetic cause of death among children under the age of two. The awareness of the devastating impacts of SMA is low among the general public. The new partnership will provide a greater voice in the efforts to raise funds and increase awareness of SMA in communities across Canada.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) refers to a group of diseases, which affects the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brain stem. The disease does not discriminate on the basis of gender or ethnicity.

“CML HealthCare is proud to be a partner in the fight against SMA, “said Paul Bristow, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We take great pride in supporting research that gives those individuals with SMA a fighting chance.”

“FightSMA is excited to formalize our partnership with CML Healthcare in our efforts to find a cure. Working with CML over the past 2 years we have done great things together and we look forward to the future opportunities that this partnership provides to raise money and awareness for all of the individuals and families affected by SMA” Said Tracy Lacey, President of FightSMA Canada.”

As a leading Canadian provider of diagnostic medical services, CML HealthCare is dedicated to providing patients with Care. Confidence. Comfort.^TM The nearly 40-year-old company is one of largest providers of medical imaging services in North America and one of the largest community-based providers of laboratory testing services in Ontario.

FightSMA is an international nonprofit corporation dedicated to developing a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). FightSMA has awarded SMA research grants to more than 40 universities and research institutions in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

You’ll be better prepared for filing your tax return if you’re well-rested.

(Richmond, Va.) - Each year, millions of Americans wait to file their federal income tax returns until the deadline is looming, leading to stress and sleepless nights. With the April 15th I.R.S. deadline fast approaching, leading sleep advice web site SleepBetter.org is offering some tips to help sleep-challenged taxpayers through tax season.

“For a lot of folks, tax season is one of the most stressful times of the year,” said Dan Schecter, vice president of consumer products at Carpenter Co., and creator of SleepBetter.org. “The best advice, of course, is not to procrastinate. But in the real world, we know that, for a variety of reasons, plenty of people find themselves up against the deadline every year.”

Schecter warns that rushing to meet the filing deadline may cause people to overlook important details and could increase the risk of making errors. “Take a deep breath,” says Schecter. “In fact, if you can manage it in your schedule, try to get a good night’s sleep before preparing your tax return. An alert and well-rested taxpayer is less likely to make mistakes.”

Here are some more tips from SleepBetter.org to help stressed-out taxpayers:

• Take heart: sometimes just taking the initiative to solve problems is enough to beef up your confidence level and shake away those doubts and fears, and help you fall asleep.
• Set the stage for successful sleep: Try dimming the lights a couple of hours before bed. This will work as a cue for your brain that sleep is just around the corner.
• Establish a cutoff time for crunching numbers, and stick to it!
• After putting away the tax return for the night, sip some warm milk or herb tea before going to bed. It will raise your body temperature and to help induce sleep. Chamomile tea is a good choice.
• Snack on protein and complex carbohydrates up to one hour before bed to enlist the aid of these naturally calming compounds.

Each time of year brings different sleep challenges. With a little effort you can get a great return on how much and how well you sleep. And, since the quality of your sleep affects all other aspects of your life, it’s worth the time to take a few moments to review your sleeping arrangements.

For tips to help you sleep better, please visit http://sleepbetter.org. You can also get sleep advice from SleepBetter on Twitter and Facebook.

About Carpenter Co. / SleepBetter.org
SleepBetter.org is dedicated to helping people sleep better. Designed as an online resource, the web site creates a forum for visitors to define, discuss, and discover solutions to their particular sleep needs. SleepBetter.org’s quest is to continually gather pertinent sleep information, then share this knowledge with the general public. The site also shares tips on the best sleep related products, both in stores and online. SleepBetter.org has created the Sleep Better seal as a way to easily identify products recommended for their superior quality or scientifically based design. Created by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products, SleepBetter.org provides information and advice that visitors can use to sleep better. For more information, please visit http://sleepbetter.org.

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(Richmond, Va.) – After extending a public request for proposal, Lucy Corr Village, a highly regarded skilled nursing facility in Chesterfield County, has selected Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers as the provider of its therapy services.

These two dynamic and growing Richmond icons share a genuine commitment to the community. Both are non-profit health care organizations started by women who wanted to ensure that members of their communities were able to receive the care they needed and deserved, regardless of their ability to pay. This continues to be a core component of their missions today.

As Sheltering Arms and Lucy Corr bring their strengths together with this multi-year contractual relationship, residents throughout Central Virginia will benefit from top-notch long-term care. While Lucy Corr Village provides superior skilled nursing expertise, Sheltering Arms offers knowledge of contemporary therapy techniques, ongoing training of licensed therapists, and an emphasis on exceptional clinical outcomes.

“I know that Lucy Corr Village received several proposals, and I am very proud that Sheltering Arms is their selected provider,” says James E. Sok, Sheltering Arms President and Chief Executive Officer. “This opportunity allows us to expand our continuum of services and make our research, technology and caring approach available to more patients.”

Partnerships such as this will become increasingly important as the baby boomer population ages and more people find themselves in need of comprehensive, quality rehabilitative care.

Members of the media wishing to set up an interview about this new partnership should call or email one of the contacts list at the top of this release. To connect with Sheltering Arms on the web, follow @sheltarmsrehab on Twitter, or become a Fan of Sheltering Arms on Facebook. You can also read updates from Sheltering Arms on the Sheltering Arms Blog.

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 http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB.

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(Richmond, VA) — After a long and, for many Americans, extraordinarily cold and snowy winter, springtime is finally on the horizon. A leading sleep advice web site says people hoping to improve the quality of their sleep should see spring as a perfect occasion to consider some changes in their sleeping environment.

“We know that the first day of spring on March 20 won’t mean the end of cold weather for a lot of folks,” said Dan Schecter, vice president of consumer products at Carpenter Co., and creator of SleepBetter.org. “But, the change of seasons is a golden opportunity to take a look at how making some changes can make a big difference in your nightly rest.”

Schecter says the first thing on a spring cleaning sleep list should be switching out those flannel pajamas. “Spring sleepwear is lighter and more airy than the winter duds you’ve been wearing for the last few months. The light fabric should make you feel like you’re not sleeping under a ton of material. Being too hot makes it hard to stay asleep during the night.”

Here are four more spring cleaning sleep tips from SleepBetter.org:

• Have you aired out the house since winter? All that stale air can affect your sleep. When it’s warm enough, open the windows during the day to let some fresh air into the house.
• Are you an allergy sufferer? Make sure your pillows and mattress are clean and that your pillows have been switched out recently so you are not affected by an overabundance of allergens like dust mites, dust, and old skin cells on your pillow. You might also consider a hypoallergenic pillow.
• Use the right kind of blanket. A breathable blanket can make a huge difference in your sleep comfort. Try a few different blankets to see which gives you the best sleep quality.
• The transition to longer days with more sunshine can cause a sleep schedule disruption for some people. Resist the urge to stay up later and keep to your normal bedtime.

Each season brings different sleep challenges. With a little effort you can get a great return on how much and how well you sleep. And, since the quality of your sleep affects all other aspects of your life, it’s worth the time to take a few moments to review your sleeping arrangements.

For tips to help you sleep better, please visit http://sleepbetter.org. You can also get sleep advice from SleepBetter on Twitter and Facebook.

About Carpenter Co. / SleepBetter.org

SleepBetter.org is dedicated to helping people sleep better. Designed as an online resource, the web site creates a forum for visitors to define, discuss, and discover solutions to their particular sleep needs. SleepBetter.org’s quest is to continually gather pertinent sleep information, then share this knowledge with the general public. The site also shares tips on the best sleep related products, both in stores and online. SleepBetter.org has created the Sleep Better seal as a way to easily identify products recommended for their superior quality or scientifically based design. Created by Carpenter Co., the world’s largest producer of comfort cushioning products, SleepBetter.org provides information and advice that visitors can use to sleep better. For more information, please visit http://SleepBetter.org.

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This release can also be found here:
Five Spring Cleaning Sleep Tips from SleepBetter.org [trackback]

(Richmond, Va.) – Richmond-based Sheltering Arms is announcing a partnership with a nationally-recognized firm that’s designed to provide a number of new services for patients. Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Centers and HealthPRO Rehabilitation have signed a formal collaboration agreement to offer contemporary rehabilitation services in the post-acute healthcare setting (where patients go following a hospital stay) throughout the area.

“When we team up with long-term care providers, Sheltering Arms is able to offer knowledge of leading-edge therapy techniques, ongoing training of licensed therapists, and an emphasis on exceptional clinical outcomes,” says James Sok, Sheltering Arms President and CEO.

HealthPRO, a growing, community-oriented company, has developed a strong reputation on the basis of its knowledge of the post-acute rehabilitation industry, and specifically its IT solutions – documentation, management, and reporting systems, which are unsurpassed.

This unique hybrid approach developed between Sheltering Arms and HealthPRO will bring the best of both worlds together and provide skilled nursing facilities with an option that previously was not available – top-notch clinical services and management, combined with superior industry knowledge and software tools.

HealthPRO, which has a strong presence in the Northeastern states but not in Virginia, is excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Sheltering Arms because of its reputation, skilled staff and excellent outcomes in the rehabilitation settings.

The need for quality rehabilitative care is growing. As the baby boomer population ages, a larger number of people will find themselves in need of comprehensive, quality rehabilitative care and Sheltering Arms is working to ensure that the highest quality services are available in Virginia.

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 http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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