January 2003 - Happy New Year

14-year-old Nikki Giampolo was an honor student, musician, and top competitive swimmer from Connecticut who died January 1, 2002, after a six-month battle with bone cancer. Nikki's story inspired Build-A-Bear Workshop to create Nikki's Bear™, dedicated to Nikki's wish of helping children with cancer.

Build-A-Bear Workshop® Introduces Nikki's Bear™ to Raise Funds for Children with Cancer

January 2003 (Newstream) - Build-A-Bear Workshop® is making a commitment to children with cancer through a nationwide effort launching January 9, in all 109 stores. With the introduction of Nikki's BearTM, Build-A-Bear Workshop is establishing its support for the cause of pediatric cancer by donating $1 from the sale of each bear to research and treatment programs for this disease. Funds from the sale of Nikki's Bear will be distributed to The National Children's Cancer Society (N.C.C.S.) and also will support other efforts that provide treatment and research programs on behalf of children's cancer.

" Our newest bear was inspired by the courage and perseverance of a remarkable young woman," said Build-A-Bear Workshop Chief Executive Bear Maxine Clark. "We are introducing Nikki's Bear to help families of children with cancer and to give hope to thousands of others who are facing this disease. In addition to Nikki's Bear, we plan to launch a number of fund-raising efforts in 2003 to benefit the cause of pediatric cancer."

Nikki's Bear is named in memory of Nikki Giampolo, a 14-year-old honor student, musician, and top competitive swimmer from Connecticut who died January 1, 2002, after a six-month battle with bone cancer. During the final months of her life, Nikki's positive attitude about her condition and her giving nature toward other kids with cancer was an inspiration to everyone she met. Build-A-Bear Workshop became a place where Nikki often visited when her health permitted, each time making a bear to give to one of her friends, nurses or doctors.

Gail Giampolo, Nikki's mother, hopes all children will benefit from this effort. "Nikki's Bear is a celebration of my daughter's life," she said. "One of Nikki's dreams was for Build-A-Bear Workshop to create a bear to raise funds and awareness for children's cancer. Nikki's wish has been granted, and we hope this bear sends a message of love and courage to children with cancer everywhere."

Following Nikki's death, Giampolo began corresponding with Clark about her daughter, and Nikki's vision of a bear to help fight children's cancer, resulting in the creation of Nikki's Bear.

" Nikki's Bear sends a message of hope and courage to children with cancer, and to their families and friends," said Clark. "Nikki Giampolo felt kids with cancer should be treated as kids, not medical patients. One of our primary missions is to help children maintain normal lives while they struggle with this disease. We can achieve this by offering memories of love, hope and laughter to families and kids with cancer through the experiences at Build-A-Bear Workshop."

" The introduction of Nikki's Bear allows people nationwide to show their support for the 12,000 children who are diagnosed with cancer each year," says Mark Stolze, N.C.C.S. President. "The dollars raised through sales of Nikki's Bear will go to help these children and their families pay for cancer related expenses such as treatment costs, transportation to and from the hospital, long distance phone calls, lodging and food expenses during treatment."

Kids helping kids
Nikki's Bear is the first of a series of pediatric cancer related programs Build-A-Bear Workshop will introduce in 2003. All are designed to allow kids to help and support peers suffering from children's cancer.

In April, the Nikki's Bear tour will begin. During this time period, gold heart note cards will be sold for $1 each at Build-A-Bear Workshop locations nationwide with proceeds going to the N.C.C.S. as well as other efforts that provide treatment and research programs on behalf of children's cancer. The hearts and personal messages will be placed inside an 8-foot tall replica of Nikki's Bear that will tour malls across the country during April and May, bringing the message of hope to children with cancer.

The tour will begin in Los Angeles and end in New York City to coincide with the Build-A-Bear Workshop annual Stuffed with Hugs(TM) event. On May 17, more than 40,000 bears will be donated to children in hospitals through a partnership with pediatric cancer centers.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and Build-A-Bear Workshop will support the N.C.C.S. second annual "Walk for the Children" walk-a-thon for pediatric cancer in select malls across the country.

All of these events will become part of an annual Build-A-Bear Workshop program to increase awareness and treatment of pediatric cancer.

The National Children's Cancer Society is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and reducing the risk of cancer by promoting children's health through financial and in-kind assistance, advocacy, support services, education and prevention programs. Since its inception in 1987, the N.C.C.S. has provided more than $27 million in direct financial assistance to over 10,000 children with cancer in the United States. It has also distributed in excess of $84 million in donated pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to 45 facilities in 33 countries. For more information on the N.C.C.S., contact Erica Conway at 314-241-1600, or visit www.children-cancer.org.

Build-A-Bear Workshop® is an interactive, entertainment mall-based retailer that invites Guests of all ages to create their own customized stuffed animals. The company operates 109 stores nationwide, including a very successful e-commerce business. Build-A-Bear Workshop is the innovator and leader of the make-your-own-stuffed animal concept for mall-based retailing. The premier store opened in Saint Louis Galleria, St. Louis, Missouri, in October 1997. For more information, call (888) 560-BEAR or visit the company's award-winning Web site at www.buildabear.com.

---------------
Produced for Build-A-Bear Workshop
For more information contact:
Jill Saunders
314-423-8000 Ex 5293
jills@buildabear.com
Andy Ernsting
816-512-9153
aernsting@beap.com
---------------

Keeping the Elderly Safe
from Falls

(Newstream) - Older adults can be more susceptible to falls during the winter months not only because of icy sidewalks and driveways, but also because they spend greater amounts of time indoors where most falls occur. Experts in the field of geriatrics say that making a few minor modifications in the home and following a regular exercise program can help prevent falls among seniors.

Purchasing devices such as a raised toilet seat, tub rail, long-handled duster or a reacher can help older adults avoid serious falls. These devices can be purchased at medical supply stores nationwide for between $5 and $50 -- only a fraction of the cost of a hospital visit which can cost up to $20,000 per fall.

Experts recommend that older adults maintain a regular exercise program to increase strength, balance and coordination. Studies show a sedentary lifestyle is the biggest risk factor for falls. One innovative program created by Oxford Health Plans combines both physical and occupational therapy interventions to help seniors remain safe in their homes.

Falls experienced by seniors cost the healthcare system between $10-12.4 billion annually and are the leading cause of death among people 65 years of age and older.

---------------
Produced for Oxford Health Plans
Contact:
Emily Allen, 212-812-7007
---------------

Men's Fitness Announces the Current Crop of 'America's Fattest Cities 2003'

January 2003 (Newstream) - This year, Men's Fitness editors present the fifth annual "America's Fattest Cities" with a sense of urgency greater than ever: Despite warnings from the magazine for the last five years and from health care experts and government officials especially during this past year, overweight and obesity rates continue to climb. According to the National Health and Nutritional Survey, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in October 2002, roughly one out of three Americans is now obese, and if you factor in those who are overweight, nearly every two of three Americans has a serious weight problem. These statistics signal yet another increase over last year's numbers.

" The increases are across the board for all age groups, both sexes and in all races," said Cynthia Ogden, PhD, co-author of the study.

" If these rates continue - about one percent gain per year - we'll all be overweight by the year 2035 and obese by 2100," adds John Foreyt, PhD, director of the Nutrition Research Clinic at Houston's Baylor College.

What additionally fuels the urgency of the editors of Men's Fitness is the financial impact on the health-care system resulting from America's overweight condition at a time when the nation struggles economically: $120 billion (and climbing) is spent annually treating the results of this epidemic of obesity. Also troubling is the fact that 15 percent of all children below 19 are now overweight, and the numbers continue to rise along with the emergence of heretofore adult medical conditions, such as abnormally elevated cholesterol levels and adult-onset diabetes.

The Top 10 Fattest Cities
Texas cleaned up its act somewhat this year, with two cities dropping out of the top ten, but Houston retained its title as "America's Fattest City" for the third year running. Here are this year's top ten, with last year's list included for comparison:

2003
1. Houston, TX
2. Chicago, IL
3. Detroit, MI
4. Philadelphia, PA
5. St Louis, MO
6. Cleveland, OH
7. Atlanta, GA
8. Columbus, OH
9. Dallas, TX
10. Charlotte, NC

2002
1. Houston, TX
2. Chicago, IL
3. Detroit, MI
4. Philadelphia, PA
5. Dallas, TX
6. Columbus, OH
7. San Antonio, TX
8. Fort Worth, TX
9. St. Louis, MO
10. Indianapolis, IN

The Top 10 Fittest Cities
Honolulu climbed to the top of the list after coming in at number seven last year. Here are the top 10 fittest cities, with last year's list included for comparison:

2003
1. Honolulu, HI
2. Seattle, WA
3. San Francisco, CA
4. Colorado Springs, CO
5. San Diego, CA
6. Portland, OR
7. Denver, CO
8. Virginia Beach, VA
9. Tucson, AZ
10. Sacramento, CA

2002
1. Colorado Springs, CO
2. Denver, CO
3. San Diego, CA
4. Seattle WA
5. San Francisco, CA
6. Virginia Beach, VA
7. Honolulu, HI
8. Sacramento, CA
9. Albuquerque, NM
10. Boston, MA

Data-Gathering Method
To arrive at its findings, Men's Fitness evaluated the nation's 50 largest cities between July 2002 and September 2002. Cities were assessed in 16 commensurate categories, using data specific to each city. The categories were selected as indicators, risk factors or relevant environmental factors affecting fitness, obesity and health. Sample categories include: fruit and vegetable consumption, sports participation, smoking, drinking, air and water quality, length of commute, availability of parks/open spaces and percentage of overweight/sedentary residents.

Additional Findings
* The health care system is being overwhelmed. $120 billion per year - and counting - is being spent treating an epidemic of diabetes and other disease caused by obesity.

* Exercise is crucial. People tend to blame fast foods, snack foods and round-the-clock consumption for the epidemic, but many experts are convinced that people simply need to exercise more.

* People need to get moving. Local efforts like the state-based "Colorado on the Move," which utilizes personal pedometers to get residents to walk more, are an excellent start. "Even moderate exercise, without breaking a sweat, is enough to start reversing the trend," says Jim Hill, PhD., director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado.

* Communities need to rally. "We're finally waking up to the seriousness of it," says John Foreyt, PhD. "What's needed now is action starting at the local level." Real effort and funding need to be put into education, public health, parks and recreation, pedestrian-friendly development, and exercise and nutrition initiatives, he adds.

More Information on the Web
Go to the Men's Fitness web site at mensfitness.com for:

* Complete reports on all 50 surveyed cities
* A detailed explanation of the survey's methodology
* Ways for any city to become a fitter place
* An interactive body mass index (BMI) calculator
* Strange fatness facts and local fitness lore
* A discussion board for "America's Fattest Cities"
* Media contact and interview information

Weider Publications, Inc., is the most influential publisher of the world's leading health, fitness and active lifestyle magazine brands, including Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, FLEX, SHAPE, Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health. The Weider Power Portfolio™ of titles is represented by 46 editions; published and distributed in over 60 markets worldwide.

---------------
Produced for Weider Publications, Inc.
Contact:
Deborah Broide, 973-744-2030
DeborahPub@aol.com
Lou Marino, 818-595-0432
lou.marino@weiderpub.com
---------------

January 2003
In This Issue

Nikki's Bear™ to Raise Funds for Children with Cancer

Keeping the Elderly Safe from Falls

Men's Fitness Announces the Current Crop of 'America's Fattest Cities 2003'

HealthWeb Archive:

December 2002 -
How Long Can Dad Drive? The Hartford's Survey on Alzheimer's Disease and Driving Finds Families Need Help

November 2002 - Mammogram Sisters: After sister's death, six siblings team up for mammogram tests; Diabetes Awareness:

October 2002 - Flu Shots, Breast Cancer Awareness

July 2002 -The Buzz on Mosquito Protection; Alzheimer's Research Breakthrough; Tennis Elbow

June 2002 - International survey reveals people with diabetes are not worried about long-term complications; more than half of people with diabetes may be at risk of going blind or losing limbs

April 2002 - For nearly one million working women who become pregnant each year, juggling stress in the workplace along with stress that comes with being pregnant can be a tall order. First among them is how to work and manage a healthy pregnancy at the same time.

March 2002 - Drinking two glasses of orange juice daily for six weeks significantly reduced blood pressure in a pilot study conducted at The Cleveland Clinic.

February 2002 - Kathleen Turner Raises Her Voice About Rheumatoid Arthritis; Years of Silent Suffering Inspires Powerful Message in Support of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

September 2001 - National Cholesterol Education Month, Simple Dietary Changes Significantly Lower Cholesterol Levels in Children and Adults, Culture Gap Affects Access to Mental Health Service

August 2001 - Stress Echocardiogram; Hydrate to Beat the Heat

July 2001 - Checkup guidelines

June 2001 - Headaches - Relaxation techniques, exercise and medication can offer relief.

May 2001: Ah-Chooo! and Zzzzzz! - Help for allergies and sleep disorders.

April 2001 - Alcohol Awareness, Counseling Awareness, Irritable Bowel Syndrome

March 2001 - National Kidney Month, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

February 2001 - American Heart Month; Preventive Medicine: Good Lifestyle Choices, Less Stress

January 2001 - Healthy Diet Month, Express Flu Shots Available Now, Glaucoma Awareness Month

December 2000 - Colorectal Cancer, Arthritis Update

November 2000 - Information and links on Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease and Lung Cancer

October 2000 - Mammography Day, Flu Vaccines, Save Your Back

September 2000 - Healthy Aging, Sickle Cell Disease, Eeek! Head Off Head Lice