The Simon Foundation for Continence
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For further information contact:
Jasmine Schmidt, Director of Education
Phone: 847 864 3913

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2004

THE SIMON FOUNDATION FOR CONTINENCE RECOGNIZES THE SOCIETY OF   UROLOGIC NURSES AND ASSOCIATES (SUNA) WITH AMERICA'S FIRST DEFEATING STIGMA IN HEALTHCARE AWARD

         The Simon Foundation is pleased to announce that the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) is the first recipient of the Foundation's Defeating Stigma in Healthcare Award.  SUNA is a national, non-profit membership association with over 2,800 members.   The Defeating Stigma in Healthcare Award recognizes outstanding contributions to removing the stigma that surrounds a wide variety of health conditions.

     This Award is an outgrowth of the Simon Foundation's groundbreaking 2003 International Conference on Stigma in Healthcare and the interplay which occurred at this important meeting between health care providers, researchers, patients and their families, all of whom acknowledged the importance of building awareness of the impact of stigma on the lives of millions of  people.

      The Simon Foundation's Board of Directors, made up of physicians, psychologists, nurses, and patient advocates, chose SUNA as the recipient of the first Defeating Stigma in Healthcare Award, based upon criteria which included awareness of the impact of stigma and advocacy for the removal of stigma from our  health care system. 

     "It is appropriate that an organization serving people with a highly stigmatized health challenge such as incontinence should lead the efforts to defeat stigma in healthcare," stated Cheryle B. Gartley, President and Founder of the Simon Foundation for Continence.   "The impact of stigma is widely felt.  Over 43 million people with disabilities (America's largest minority) feel stigmatized on a daily basis because of their health.  It is long past time that we address this issue."

    Jasmine Schmidt, Simon Foundation's Director of Education presented the Defeating Stigma in Healthcare Award to the President of  SUNA, Marie Page, RN, CURN, at the Awards Luncheon held during SUNA's annual meeting (www.suna.org),  October 22-26th in Orlando, Florida.  The award was made possible in part by an educational grant from SCA Personal Products, makers of Serenity and TENA incontinence products. 

    To learn more about the Simon Foundation's Campaign to Defeat Stigma in Healthcare, including the anti-stigma theme song, "I Am More", or to nominate an individual, company, or non-profit for a Defeating Stigma in Healthcare Award, log onto www.simonfoundation.org.