Dr. Rovenia Brock brings secrets of living healthy to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®’S Circle of Promise

(March 25, 2008, Dallas)

Renowned Nutritionist Helps African American Community Get Fit and Fabulous to Lower Breast Cancer Risk

In recognition of National Nutrition Month®, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®’s Circle of Promise campaign has teamed with Dr. Rovenia ("Dr. Ro") Brock, renowned African American nutritionist, to help educate African Americans about healthy living to help lower their risk of breast cancer. In the coming months, Dr. Ro will share her insight on how to nourish their minds, bodies and sprits.

“I’ve had the privilege to travel the country and share personal stories about health and nutrition with the African American community. It’s my mission in life to help place real health solutions in front of the world,” said Dr. Ro, Circle of Promise ambassador. “I’m excited to be part of this national network. The Circle of Promise is helping African Americans become fortified by what they are able to do for themselves and for others.”

African American women have the highest death rate and poorest survival rate for breast cancer of any other racial or ethnic group. While no food or diet can prevent women from getting breast cancer, some foods and healthy habits can make your body the healthiest it can be and help lower your risk. Dr. Ro and the Circle of Promise recommend the following tips to beginning a healthier life:

	Decide you want to make a change. Like any goal in life, healthy living takes sacrifice and commitment
	Assess your health status. Do you need to eat healthier or become more active?
	Decide on your long-term goals
	Keep a journal of your experiences
	Enlist family and close friends to help you. Having a support system makes it easier to stay on track
	Start small. Begin at whatever level you can, and build on that

“The African American community is disproportionately affected by cancer and obesity; however, they don’t have to accept the statistics. We can make lifelong changes today to reverse the outcomes. Dr. Ro has joined the Circle of Promise to encourage African Americans to get educated, get involved and make changes for better health for themselves and their loved ones,” said Katrina McGhee, vice president of Marketing for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. “She is such an inspiration to have as part of this growing circle of ambassadors. Her commitment to health and nutrition is invaluable in the fight to end breast cancer forever in the African American community.”

Dr. Ro is a nutritionist and author of the national best-seller, Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets to Livin’ Healthy. She delivers real life health advice in a unique style. She is currently nutrition contributor to National Public Radio (NPR). She also hosts Livin' Healthy with Dr. Ro, which airs on TV-One and frequently contributes to the Today Show.

Launched in October 2007, the Circle of Promise (www.circleofpromise.org) campaign was created by Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to educate, empower and mobilize the African American community in the fight against breast cancer. Through this effort, Komen hopes to rewrite the story on African Americans and breast cancer by decreasing the African American mortality rate, which is 18 percent higher than for Caucasian women.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure®, we have invested $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.