Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada & Vervegirl Cause launch
first mini-magazine to help teenage girls cope with a family member's breast
cancer diagnosis
Toronto, ON, April 9, 2007 - Willow and partner Vervegirl Magazine are proud to announce the release of the first mini-magazine specially developed for teenage girls dealing with breast cancer within their families.
This unique and important psychosocial tool will help inform teens, their families and friends about the challenges associated with a breast cancer diagnosis. The mini-mag, which will be issued through Vervegirl Magazine on April 9, 2007 to over 180,000 teens across Canada, tackles relevant topics such as how to speak to someone who has breast cancer and recounts how other young people have coped. The result is a unique resource that will enable young women to further understand and communicate surrounding this disease.
"Willow understands that a cancer diagnosis affects everyone differently, especially teenage girls, whose needs and emotions are frequently overlooked," says S. Elaine Brown, Executive Director, Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada. "Willow and a handful of committed sponsors, believe this mini-magazine is a resource that will help fill the current gap. It will be a timeless piece, used not only by the teenagers coping with the news of a loved one's diagnosis but by their family and friends as well."
Free copies of the mini-mag are also available for download on Willow and Vervegirl's websites - www.willow.org and www.vervegirl.com. (As of April 9th, 2007)
"A diagnosis of breast cancer is a life altering event for the individual, her family and those that care about her," says Dr. Pamela Catton MD, Director of the Princess Margaret Hospital Breast Cancer Survivorship Program. "Children of all ages are being touched by breast cancer and will need to find the strength to understand and cope with their feelings and be there for their loved ones. The Verve Girl Cause mini magazine is an excellent resource for teenagers to help raise awareness of these issues, and highlight educational resources and support available in the breast cancer community. A fantastic initiative!"
"There isn't one person who has not been affected by breast cancer and it is one of the causes that our readers, Vervegirls, care about," continued Kaaren Whitney-Vernon, Publisher, Vervegirl Magazine. "We are excited to be launching our Vervegirl Cause initiative through this mini-mag with the hope of educating teens across Canada regarding the causes that affect their peers the most."
Other aspects of the mini-mag include:
" Key cancer definitions to help teens gain further understanding about
the disease and its different stages
" Breast Self Exam specifically for teens generously provided by Rethink
Breast Cancer
" Coupons for discount on Always and Tampax products.
"This project would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and advertisers," continued Brown. "We are grateful for the commitment from Shoppers Drug Mart, Procter & Gamble (Always, Tampax) and CIBC, who not only covered creation and production costs but also donated a total of $20,000 back to Willow directly to ensure we can continue to provide the support and information services Canadians need."
About Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada:
Willow is best in class among breast cancer education and support organizations
providing all Canadians affected by the disease with timely and relevant information,
education and unique peer support. This helps empower them to make better decisions,
support their loved ones more effectively and navigate the complex health care
system with greater confidence. A national program, Willow is accessible via
a toll-free line and delivers valuable psychosocial support that is complementary
to the care breast cancer patients receive from their medical team.
For more information on Willow and its services visit www.willow.org
or call 1.888.778.3100
About Vervegirl:
Vervegirl is Canada's #1 teen fashion lifestyle media brand, online at www.vervegirl.com,
in your inbox with Vervegirl Daily e-news service and in high schools across
Canada with English and French language magazines. Vervegirl Cause was created
in 2006 as a forum for girls to get informed and get involved in the causes
that matter most. All proceeds are donated to charity. This March Vervegirl
launches Canada's first social network for young women Vervegirl Collective
at www.vervegirl.com.
Vervegirl is a registered trademark of Youth Culture Inc. www.youthculture.com
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For Media Inquiries Contact:
Alison Burke - Manager, Marketing & Communications
Willow Breast Cancer Support Canada
W: 416.778.6314 x235
C: 647.402.4122
aburke@willow.org
