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Teen Smokestoppers Program reaches out to CT schools for the Great American smoke-out on November 15
By Press Release
Nov 12, 2007 - 4:20:51 AM

St. Vincent’s Teen SmokeStoppers Program, underwritten by St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound, will be out in great force in November, recruiting Connecticut Schools and Students to participate in the Great American Smoke-Out taking place on November 15 nationwide.

The Teen SmokeStoppers Program provides free interactive Teen Smoking Prevention and Cessation Classes in schools throughout the state. To date, more than 110 schools have participated in the program and more than 88,000 teens have been touched by it.

The Prevention Classes are age-appropriate presentations that include viewing of preserved human lungs to demonstrate how a healthy lung compares to one diseased from smoking, as well as allergic and strength reactions to cigarettes and other interactive activities that demonstrate the dangers of smoking.

The Cessation Classes consist of eight sessions divided into three stages. The first stage, prepares teen smokers psychologically and physically for the quitting experience, the second stage offers the techniques, guidance and structure necessary for cessation during critical first days of nicotine withdrawal and the final stage creates a system that addresses transition needs and eases the way to permanent cessation.

The program has helped more than 5,700 teens quit smoking.

Smoking is responsible for one in three cancer deaths and one in five deaths from all causes, and about 8.6 million people have serious illnesses caused by smoking. Smoking also causes premature skin wrinkling, bad breath, stained teeth, gum disease and yellowing of the fingers and fingernails.

For more information about St. Vincent’s Teen SmokeStoppers Program, call St. Vincent ’s Medical Center Foundation at (203) 576-5451.

St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound

St. Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound is a charitable organization run by St. Vincent ’s Medical Center Foundation. The grass roots organization, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in August 2007, has a unique niche, providing cancer education, screening, prevention and assistance programs at low- or no-cost for the elderly and underserved. The SWIM does not support research. In addition, the SWIM helps cancer patients on a case-by-case basis to fulfill an individual’s specific needs, such as the funding of wigs and prostheses, medication assistance, free transportation to treatments and appointments, daycare scholarships and support groups. The SWIM raises funds through events such as the SWIM Marathon , Breast Cancer Luncheon, Walk/Run and Prostate Cancer Celebrity Dinner. Thanks to underwriting sponsorships of the events, 100% of funds raised are used for the SWIM’s cancer programs. The SWIM raised $2.6 million in the 2007 fiscal year and has helped more than 20,000 individuals throughout Connecticut .

St. Vincent’s Medical Center

St. Vincent’s Medical Center is a 397-bed acute care, community teaching and referral hospital providing a full range of inpatient and outpatient services with regional centers of excellence in cardiology, surgery, cancer care, orthopedics, diagnostics, women’s and family services, behavioral health, senior health and an array of specialized services. St. Vincent’s Medical Center is a subsidiary of St. Vincent’s Health Services, which include Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services, St. Vincent’s College, St. Vincent’s Special Needs Services, and St. Vincent ’s Immediate Health Care Centers . It is a member of Ascension Health, the nation's largest Catholic healthcare system. St. Vincent's is a teaching affiliate of the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and New York Medical College . The Medical Center is also sponsor of Swim Across the Sound, one of the nation’s largest hospital-based cancer prevention and patient support programs. For referral to a St. Vincent ’s physician or about programs and services, call the toll-free Care Line at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847) or visit www.stvincents.org.

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