Amgen Tour of California - Livermore Route Details Revealed

Livermore, CA (PRWEB) February 10, 2011

The City of Livermore, an official “Host City” of the prestigious Amgen Tour of California professional cycling race, today reveals details behind the route professional cyclists will enjoy as they kick off Stage 4, presented by UnitedHealthcare, of the popular race on May 18, 2011 (http://www.livermoredowntown.com/amgen-tourofcalifornia).

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area and within 45 minutes from three major airports (SFO, OAK, SJC), Livermore is home to more than 50 wineries, a historic downtown lined with sidewalk cafes, and an endless supply of California sunshine — making it an irresistible springtime vacation destination for cycling and wine enthusiasts near and far.

Route particulars of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California are of special interest to spectators eager to plan their perfect viewing vantage point, as well as for cyclists who enjoy the time-honored tradition of riding the route themselves, before or after race day, earning the ultimate in cycling bragging rights.

“A magnet for cycling clubs throughout the golden state, Livermore is a destination that promises a variety of exciting viewing spots. These include rolling vineyard landscapes, farmlands, a festive downtown, even a chance to join some of the country’s brightest minds alongside Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories,” said Livermore Mayor Marshall Kamena. “And of course, there will be no escaping the notorious Mines Road, complete with some of the Bay Area’s most dramatic geography and beautiful scenery: a 1,900 foot ascend, plunging roadside canyon, California oaks, ghost pines and mountain peaks for miles.”

Livermore Route Details
Stage 4 is short, at just 81 miles, but what it lacks in distance it more than makes up for with difficulty. Two of Stage 4’s five rated climbs are legendary in California cycling lore. While the Amgen Tour of California has gone through Livermore many times before, the city is hosting its first official stage start in 2011. Home of the renowned Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, the City of Livermore (established in 1869) played a prominent role in California’s “Gold Rush” history and today is home to a thriving wine industry. After the cyclists get their legs loosened a bit around the Laboratories, the race will head out to Mines Rd. and to the first KOM of the day. Mines Rd. is 25 miles long, hilly and winding. It will be easy for a few riders to get off the front and create significant gaps from the peloton. In 2010, the riders enjoyed a long descent into a finish in Modesto off of Mines Rd. This year, there will be no such luxury. Mines Rd. becomes San Antonio Canyon Rd., and after shaking things up with two more KOMs, the riders will face the daunting challenge of Mt. Hamilton, the Tour’s first Hors Category climb. The two-mile climb to the Mt. Hamilton Observatory (4,130’) will offer a spectacular view of San Jose and Silicon Valley. Next will be the treacherous descent down the front side of Mt. Hamilton. Almost immediately after finishing the descent, the race will take a turn onto Sierra Rd., a 3.5-mile ascent with a 10 percent average grade and 1,700’ feet of climbing. What is usually the home of herds of cattle will be replaced by thousands of screaming fans as they welcome home the winner, who will almost certainly wear the golden leaders jersey.

More information about the Stage 4 route is available at: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Route/stages/stage4.html.

More information about the Stage 4 Start and ancillary activities is available at: http://www.livermoredowntown.com/amgen-tourofcalifornia.

About the City of Livermore
The City of Livermore (pop. 83,604) is the easternmost city in the San Francisco Bay Area; the gateway to the Central Valley. Founded in 1869, Livermore is California’s oldest wine region, framed by award-winning wineries, farmlands and ranches that mirror the valley’s western heritage and provide a unique blend to this special community. Downtown Livermore is quickly earning accolades and enjoying a renaissance reestablishing the downtown as the city’s preeminent shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural district with a 10-screen cinema and a 500-seat performing arts center. As home to renowned science and technology centers, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratory, Livermore is a technological hub and an academically engaged community, powered by its wealth of research, technology and innovation. To learn more about the City of Livermore, visit http://www.ci.livermore.ca.us.

About the Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in America, the 2011 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course through the state from May 15-22.

About Amgen
Amgen discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers innovative human therapeutics. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen was one of the first companies to realize the new science’s promise by bringing safe, effective medicines from lab to manufacturing plant to patient. Amgen therapeutics have changed the practice of medicine, helping millions of people around the world in the fight against cancer, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, bone disease, and other serious illnesses. With a deep and broad pipeline of potential new medicines, Amgen remains committed to advancing science to dramatically improve people’s lives. To learn more about our pioneering science and vital medicines, visit http://www.amgen.com.

Media Contact:
Rachel Christie
925.846.8910    
rachel@trivalleycvb.com

Catherine Hagebusch
925.960.4477
cihagebusch@ci.livermore.ca.us

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Allsup Encourages Women with Disabilities to Get Mammograms

Belleville, IL (Vocus/PRWEB) February 11, 2011

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although breast cancer is a major health concern for all women, the CDC reports that women with disabilities are at special risk. For some women with breast cancer, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an important benefit that can help provide financial stability, according to Allsup, which represents tens of thousands people nationwide in the SSDI application process each year.

CDC statistics show that most American women are likely to have regular mammogram screenings, but women with disabilities are less likely to do so. In 2008, nearly 76.2 percent of women aged 40 or older reported having a mammogram in the past two years. Women with a disability have a lower mammography rate—72.2 percent. They also may not have been screened within the recommended guidelines, according to the CDC.

Disabilities are prevalent in nearly 30 percent of women age 40 years or older, the CDC reports. More than 7 million women between the ages of 50 and 74 have not had a mammogram in the past two years. The CDC advises that having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. In 2010, 207,090 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 39,840 women died from breast cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Breast cancer also can affect the ability of women to work in the long term. SSDI is a mandatory, tax-funded, federal insurance program designed to provide individuals with income if they are unable to work for 12 months or longer because of a severe disability, or if they have a terminal condition. Individuals must have paid FICA taxes to be eligible.

“The diagnosis of breast cancer is life-altering, but it does not always disable a person for at least 12 months as required by SSDI guidelines,” said Ed Swierczek, senior claims representative at Allsup. “The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a medical listing that addresses the criteria that must be met to secure benefits during the Social Security disability review process. These criteria include distant metastases or recurrent carcinoma.”

“If SSA examiners determine someone does not meet the cancer listing, then additional factors are examined,” Swierczek said. “Social Security disability examiners will evaluate the effects of the disease on your abilities and daily functioning, plus they review work history and education as part of the adjudication process.”

The process of applying for SSDI benefits is complex, and it can be difficult to receive benefits. Historically, two-thirds of initial applications are denied, which is why representation such as Allsup can be critical to someone with breast cancer who, in addition, may have other related health issues.

“It is not always the cancer that causes one to be disabled,” Swierczek said. “It is not uncommon for the effects of treatment, chemotherapy and radiation to render an individual unable to perform any work on a regular and continuing basis.”

“As in all disability claims, it is vital that individuals tell their doctors which symptoms they experience so that a medical record may be properly documented,” he said. “Keep in mind—doctors are focused on treating patients to make them better—they are not in the business of documenting medical records for a disability claim. Thus, it is quite important to let your doctor know that you are having fatigue, pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms.”

Allsup helps more people to receive their benefits with their initial application when compared to the national average, which helps applicants avoid a disability hearing before an administrative law judge. Find out more by reading, “Six Advantages of Representation When You First Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits.”

If you have questions about SSDI eligibility or applying with breast cancer, contact the Allsup Disability Evaluation Center at (800) 279-4357 for a free SSDI evaluation. Find more information about Social Security disability benefits at Allsup.com.

ABOUT ALLSUP
Allsup is a nationwide provider of Social Security disability, Medicare and Medicare Secondary Payer compliance services for individuals, employers and insurance carriers. Founded in 1984, Allsup employs more than 700 professionals who deliver specialized services supporting people with disabilities and seniors so they may lead lives that are as financially secure and as healthy as possible. The company is based in Belleville, Ill., near St. Louis. For more information, visit http://www.Allsup.com.

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Acupath Laboratory’s Dr. Joon Yim on Faster and Smarter Diagnosis with...

Plainview, NY (PRWEB) February 11, 2011

Today a digitized, or computerized, form of immunohistochemistry (IHC) is revolutionizing the clinical pathology industry, helping pathologists make diagnoses at almost the click of a button. According to Dr. Joon Yim, a pathologist with Acupath Labs of Plainview, NY, “the benefits in improved accuracy, efficiency and speed are invaluable to the doctors and their patients who rely on pathology results.”

IHC is a test used by pathologists to detect disease and determine its source and how advanced it is, through the use of staining and dyes. The process was first founded in the 1940s, when for the first time researchers were able to identify abnormal cells using this technology. IHC allows pathologists to differentiate abnormal, or diseased, cells from healthy cells. IHC is used widely, especially in cancer diagnosis, where a delay in results can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

Today, digital pathology solutions for IHC use image analysis tools to help pathologists provide accurate, consistent, and almost-instant diagnoses for more informed decision-making. Digitized IHC allows pathologists to create digital copies of slides, and then analyze them instantly on a computer.

Dr Yim describes that in the “pre-digital” era, diagnoses were dependent upon the observations of pathologists using an arbitrary scale to grade the presence and extent of disease. Early attempts at turning IHC into a computerized process involved converting analog images into a digital format and then transforming the 256 separate shades of red, green and blue into a gray scale that could then be divided into sections for measuring and evaluating, leaving much room for mistake.

“It is outstanding today that digitized IHC gives pathologists a much clearer picture than was previously possible of what is going on,” notes Dr. Yim. With digitized IHC, biopsy slides are scanned into a computer, and pathologists can enter data about them, and then allow others to view the same exact slides on a computer screen, even video-conference with them.

Using the IHC technology, pathologists can find out where in the body a cancer originated by looking for cells which don’t belong in the culture. For example, breast cells in a liver would indicate that the tumor was actually breast cancer, which had metastasized to the liver, a vital finding when deciding treatment and prognosis. Before digitization, IHC results took much longer, delaying treatment.

The use of this new upgraded technology also saves time in cases which require quantitative analysis. With digitized IHC, pathologists can now count thousands of cells in seconds, a critical part of diagnosing an illness, versus hundreds previously counted manually. When speed is of the essence in diagnosing an illness, as it often is with cancer and other serious illnesses, digitized IHC dramatically reduces the amount of time between diagnosis and treatment.

Just as important, the data is then stored electronically for use by any other medical professional who needs access to the case, the tissue sample and digital slide information, anywhere, any time.

While digitized IHC has only been around for several years, it is changing the way pathologists view, and handle, disease, making it easier and less stressful for patients awaiting biopsy results.

Bio: Board-certified in anatomic pathology, Dr. Joon Yim serves as a staff pathologist for Acupath Laboratories, Inc., where he is responsible for the daily sign-out of a broad spectrum of surgical cases. Prior to joining Acupath, Dr. Yim served as an attending pathologist and an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology at New York University Medical Center from 2002 to 2006. Previously, Dr. Yim fulfilled fellowships at New York University Medical Center for surgical pathology. Prior to his fellowship, Dr. Yim completed his residency at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, University Hospital of Columbia University. Additionally, Dr. Yim holds positions in various medical organizations, including the American Medical Association, College of American Pathologists, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical School Admissions Committee, and Association for Pathology Informatics. He received his medical degree from UCLA.

Acupath Laboratories, Inc. located in Plainview, New York, is an anatomic pathology and cancer genetics laboratory. Acupath's mission is to deliver fast, accurate anatomic pathology, flow cytometry, molecular and cytogenetic analysis in a way that enhances the quality of medical care provided by practitioners while minimizing the risk of error. The research and development team continuously innovates, designing up to date methodologies for testing and new ways for doctors to access, exchange, record and analyze medical information. Acupath is committed to improve efficiencies of practice, superior service and greater patient knowledge and satisfaction. Acupath is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Joint Commission, and certified by the New York State Department of Health (DOH). http://www.acupath.com.

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Acne Treatment Receives Top 5-Star Rating From TopConsumerReviews.com

Overland Park, KS (Vocus/PRWEB) February 10, 2011

TopConsumerReviews.com recently awarded their highest five-star rating to Clearpores Skin Cleansing System, an industry leader in Acne Treatment solutions.

“We’re pleased to receive TopConsumerReviews.com’s highest rating,” said Doug Mackay, spokesperson for Clearpores. “Acne is rarely just about pores clogged by dirt, bacteria and oil. That's why harsh cleaners usually aren't effective at treating long-term, persistent acne. Our solution attacks acne bacteria from both inside and outside the body, gently and effectively. Clearpores is a proven, effective product and we're happy to be recognized for its success.”

Many people suffer from embarrassing breakouts of acne. Often they try a variety of solutions, only to be become frustrated with the lack of results. There are dozens of acne treatments available. Some are prescription-only, with high price tags and harsh side effects like dry flaking skin, upset stomach, liver damage, and more. Fortunately, there are over-the-counter treatments that can be just as effective and cost far less. It's important to know which acne solutions work and how they treat the problem.

“Clearpores earns our top rating by fighting embarrassing, blemished skin with a powerful three-step acne system," explained Brian Dolezal, of TopConsumerReviews.com. “Clearpores is effective on all types of acne, and also helps with redness, scarring, and swelling. It treats acne right at the source, attacking the bacteria and leaving the skin revitalized and healthy looking.”

To find out more about Clearpores and other acne solutions, including reviews and comparison rankings, please visit the Acne category of TopConsumerReviews.com at http://www.topconsumerreviews.com/acne.

About Clearpores
Since 2004, Clearpores offers one of the most effective acne treatment solutions on the market. This unique 3-part solution has helped thousands of customers realize their dreams of acne-free skin. With reliable, proven ingredients, Clearpores is a safe alternative to prescription-based medications.

About TopConsumerReviews.com
TopConsumerReviews.com is a leading provider of independent reviews and rankings for hundreds of consumer products and services. From debt relief and home security systems, to mail scanning and treadmills, TopConsumerReviews.com delivers in-depth product evaluations in order to make purchasing decisions easier.

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Cancer Patients at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Win Caribbean Cruise...

New York, N.Y. (PRWEB) February 11, 2011

Rego Park, N.Y., resident Jamie Wynn, Jerryfen Arcentales of Jersey City, N.J., and Mary Hilliard of the Bronx are the latest winners of cruise and weekend getaway vacations awarded by Laura’s Journeys, a support program for cancer patients at Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan and other institutions within the Continuum Health Partners network. The program is designed to encourage and facilitate recreational travel for the patient along with their spouse/partner or other family members/friends.

The winners’ names were drawn from among approximately 75 entrants, all currently undergoing treatment for cancer, during a raffle at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt on January 20.

“Laura’s Journeys,” was created by Aberdeen, N.J., resident Bill Parness in memory of his wife Laura, who passed away in November 2008 at the age of 54 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. He developed the program based on the therapeutic benefits he and Laura derived from their extensive travels during the six years she was being treated for advanced breast cancer. “The rewards Laura and I received from traveling during those years are just too numerous to mention,” said Mr. Parness. “Beyond the sheer pleasure of traveling, Laura always came home feeling refreshed and ready to tackle her next treatments.”

Ms. Wynn, a 31-year-old breast cancer patient, won the drawing’s grand prize: a seven-night cruise for two to the Western Caribbean on the Crown Princess, departing from Fort Lauderdale. She will be joined on the trip, which includes airfare and hotel accommodations in Florida, by her sister Lesley. They will travel in March.

“I am thrilled and honored to have won this trip,” Ms. Wynn said. “Speaking with Bill and learning about Laura makes me feel like I am part of their journey and celebration of life.”

Ms. Wynn is the coordinator of the Arts Fellowship at the Drisha Institute for Jewish Education, where artists grapple with ancient texts through painting, poetry, theater, and music. Born and raised in San Francisco, she received her Masters in Education and moved to New York to pursue her studies in Talmud at the Drisha Institute. She has a background in painting and community murals and has participated in over 40 mural projects in the San Francisco Area, Israel and Russia.

The winners of the second and third prizes will both be treated to two-night, weekend stays at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City this spring. Ms. Arcentales, a 47-year-old uterine cancer patient who works as an elementary school teacher in the Bronx, will travel with her husband Rick. Ms. Hilliard, 73, who is undergoing treatment for colon cancer, will travel with her son.

Including these latest trips, since its inception in late-2009, Laura’s Journeys has awarded 12 vacations and weekend getaways to cancer patients at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt. These have included one-week cruises to the Caribbean and New England/Canada; a one-week trip to Athens, Greece; one-week stays in Merritt Island, Fla.; and weekend getaways to the Berkshire Mountains in Massachusetts and Atlantic City.

Laura Parness was a patient of Gabriel A. Sara, M.D., Medical Director of the Chemotherapy Infusion Suite and Executive Director of the Patient Services Initiative at Continuum Cancer Centers of New York, located at Roosevelt Hospital. Dr. Sara is a strong advocate for therapeutic travel for his patients.

“Over my many years of practice, I especially enjoy hearing stories of my patients’ trips, seeing their photos and, more than anything, seeing their smiling faces as they felt revitalized and happy. After their trip they continue to remember the beautiful moments they had and know that they can do it again. Thanks to Laura’s Journeys, many patients will have the opportunity to create these memories,” said Dr. Sara.

In addition to trip giveaways, “Laura’s Journeys” offers tips for traveling while undergoing treatment for cancer, money-saving advice, and important guidance such as finding a doctor who is supportive of travel, setting realistic expectations, taking out travel insurance policies that don’t exclude pre-existing conditions, reaching out to airlines and front desks at hotels for special requests, and advising patients to always travel with a doctor’s note.

For more travel tips or to donate, please visit http://www.laurasjourneys.org.

FOR: ST. LUKE’S-ROOSEVELT HOSPITAL
FROM:
Parness & Associates
Lisa Kreda, 732-290-0121, parnespr(at)optonline(dot)net

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Bodybuilding.com Strengthens Team with New Editor-in-Chief Jeff...

Boise, ID (PRWEB) February 10, 2011

Bodybuilding.com, the Internet’s most-visited bodybuilding and fitness site and largest online retailer of nutritional supplements, is proud to announce the addition of new Editor-in-Chief Jeff O’Connell to their team. O’Connell has 15 years in the health and fitness industry serving as Editor-in-Chief at Muscle & Fitness and, most recently, Executive Writer at Men’s Health.

O’Connell’s feature writing has been deemed “notable” in both The Best American Sports Writing and The Best American Science and Nature Writing anthologies. As an author, he has reached The New York Times Best-Sellers list as the collaborator on LL Cool J’s Platinum Workout. Adding to his list of accomplishments, Hyperion/Disney will be publishing his prescriptive memoir, Sugar Nation, on July 19, 2011.

"Becoming Editor-in-Chief of Bodybuilding.com is a dream job for me. The site is the most heavily trafficked fitness destination in the world, making this a unique opportunity to help tens of millions of people worldwide transform their life through health and fitness,” said O’Connell.

The new Bodybuilding.com Editor-in-Chief will focus on further enhancing the site’s 30,000 pages of unique content with the latest and greatest health and fitness advice, news and entertainment. “Rather than pay $5.00 for a fitness or bodybuilding magazine, fitness enthusiasts can visit Bodybuilding.com and receive everything for free, from expert online trainers to workout videos to social networking. My focus is on enhancing the user experience by continuing to improve the vast array of content,” explains O’Connell.

As someone who works out daily, follows a low-carbohydrate diet, and takes twelve supplements daily, O’Connell is an ideal fit for the Bodybuilding.com team. His ability to identify with the lifestyle enables him to fulfill the company mission of helping Bodybuilding.com visitors reach their health, fitness and appearance goals through information, motivation and supplementation.

"Jeff brings an insane amount of experience and enthusiasm to Bodybuilding.com, and truly understands our users and what we are trying to accomplish. We are very fortunate to have him on our team!" said Bodybuilding.com CEO Ryan DeLuca.

Jeff O’Connell will be joining the talented Bodybuilding.com Digital Publishing Team, including Spokesperson and Editor at Large Kris Gethin, Vice President John Hardesty, and many more industry experts.

Bodybuilding.com offers more than 13,000 health & fitness supplements and accessories to help more than 7.5 million people every month achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals, as well as over 35,000 pages of free information, including more than 20,000 articles and videos, expert online trainers, and new content added daily.

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Breast Assured Foundation's 2011 Spirit Of Service Awards for...

Tucson, AZ (PRWEB) February 10, 2011

Breast Assured Foundation is proud to announce that Fry’s Food Stores is the January 2011 “Spirit Of Service” award recipient for their dedication to serving the needs of Tucson’s women by sponsoring mammography screenings at no cost to 40 women in need.

About Fry’s Food Stores
Fry’s Food Stores is headquartered in Tolleson, Arizona. The company employs more than 18,000 Arizona residents. The 121 Fry’s Food Stores service more than one million households per week. Fry’s has been serving Arizonans with fresh food at famous low prices since 1960. Fry’s Food Stores is a proud member of the Kroger Co. based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.frysfood.com/.

About Breast Assured Foundation
Breast Assured Foundation is a non-profit organization founded to provide relief to women who need financial assistance in obtaining necessary preventive care health services for screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. Allocations and incentives provided are targeted specifically toward patients who lack sufficient funds or insurance to pay for their screenings. To learn more about community service offerings, involvement & outreach, please visit Breast Assured at http://www.breastassuredfoundation.org/.

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