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TO FOOD, HEALTH, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
American Cancer Society & Western Growers Announce Cancer Prevention
Collaboration
LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American
Cancer Society's California Division and Western Growers announced
today a first-time collaboration to raise awareness about cancer
prevention tied to healthy eating choices and critically needed funds
to help finish the fight. Western Growers has committed $100,000 over
two years to help support American Cancer Society programs, services,
advocacy and cancer research efforts.
"Research shows one-third of cancer deaths are linked to poor diet,
physical inactivity and obesity," said David F. Veneziano, executive
vice president, American Cancer Society California Division. "An
alliance with Western Growers will only strengthen our work to raise
awareness about the importance of making healthy food and lifestyle
choices to help lower cancer risk."
American Cancer Society guidelines on diet, nutrition and cancer
prevention emphasize maintaining a healthy weight throughout life,
adopting a physically active lifestyle, and a healthy diet that
includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains and limited red meats and
other high fat foods.
"Our farmers grow the best medicine in the world; healthy and
nutritious foods that can help prevent and fight disease," said Tom
Nassif, president and CEO, Western Growers. "We are very proud to join
with the American Cancer Society in their efforts to prevent cancer.
We know lifestyle choices play a huge part, including the kinds of
food we choose to eat. As our farmers strive to grow more fresh
fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, we also strive to raise awareness of
the benefits of a healthy diet. The American Cancer Society is a
natural partner in that effort."
In 2014, more than 171,000 Californians will be diagnosed with cancer
and nearly 58,000 will die from the disease. Helping Californians of
all ages achieve healthy eating habits is critical to reducing the
rate of new cancer cases.
The American Cancer Society and Western Growers will collaborate on a
variety of projects throughout the next two years to provide the
public, and WG members and customers with early cancer detection and
prevention information, as well as unique opportunities to participate
in educational community events that raise awareness and funds to
fight cancer.
About Western Growers Founded in 1926, Western Growers is a trade
association of local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce
in Arizona and California. Our members provide half the nation's fresh
fruits and vegetables including a third of America's fresh organic
produce. For generations we have provided variety and healthy choices
as the first line of defense against obesity and disease. We grow the
best medicine in the world.T For more information call 949.863.1000 or
visit www.wga.com.
About the American Cancer Society The American Cancer Society is a
global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving
lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in
every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the
Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer
death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking
rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who
have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate
more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're
determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as
the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer
research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and
continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving
screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or
to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or
visit www.cancer.org/fight.
SOURCE Western Growers
-0- 03/04/2014
/CONTACT: American Cancer Society, Eric Beikmann, Senior Director, Media Relations, 213.736.5075, eric.beikmann@cancer.org; Western Growers, Wendy Fink-Weber, Sr. Director, Communications, 949.885.2256, wfweber@wga.com
/Web Site: www.wga.com
www.cancer.org/fight
CO: Western Growers
ST: California
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-- DC76054 --
0000 03/04/2014 17:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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