Hackensack, N.J., May 25, 2007 – The National Audubon Society honored children’s environmental health advocate Deirdre Imus with its 2007 Rachel Carson Award for her leadership in improving the environment. Ms. Imus is President and founder of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center™, part of Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in New Jersey.
The mission of the Environmental Health Center is to identify, control and ultimately prevent toxic exposures in the environment that threaten our children's health.
Deirdre Imus received the award as founder of the Greening the Cleaning® program, and "a pioneer inspiring parents and schools to clean using non-toxic products. Imus has convinced more than 200 institutions nationwide to switch to green cleaning products and her work has led directly to three “Green Cleaning” executive orders that will vastly improve the health of millions of children," according to an Audubon Society press release.
Citing recent statistics on childhood cancers, asthma and learning disorders, Ms. Imus said she is motivated by the appalling state of children's health. "Cures are hard to come by, but if we as individuals begin to concentrate on prevention and eliminating toxins from our homes and work environments, then I believe we will begin to see real progress."
Ms. Imus was one of four women to receive the award Tuesday at the fourth annual Women in Conservation Luncheon in New York City. Other recipients were: Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council; Majora Carter, Founder and Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx; and Laurie David, Global Warming Activist and Producer.
“Audubon is honored to present its Rachel Carson Award to these four awe-inspiring women,” said John Flicker, president of the National Audubon Society. “As one of the leading conservation organizations in the country, Audubon is dedicated to the preservation of our planet, and {these women] are all committed to this very same goal.
Ms. Imus has made numerous national appearances in recent weeks to talk about her new book, now a New York Times bestseller. Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning (Simon & Schuster) offers a wealth of insights and expertise for protecting families from harmful chemicals. One hundred percent of all profits go to the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. "Start with Just One Thing" "Don't get overwhelmed thinking about 'greening.' Start with just one thing, whether it's a cleaning product or a food that you or your family enjoys. For example, eating an organic apple is not just good for you -- it eliminates synthetic fertilizers and pesticides from the environment. And when you buy organic, you help create a market for green products," Ms. Imus said.
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center™ developed the award-winning Greening the Cleaning® program. Greening the Cleaning means eliminating to the greatest extent possible all cleaning agents containing hazardous ingredients and replacing them with environmentally responsible ingredients with the least level of toxicity. One hundred percent of all profits from the institutional products go to the Center for education and research to identify, control and ultimately prevent exposures to environmental factors that may cause adult, and especially pediatric cancer, as well as other health problems with our children. On the retail line, 100 percent of all profits go to the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. The household products are available in stores nationwide and online from www.imusranchfoods.com.
Deirdre is also co-founder and co-director with husband, Don Imus, of The Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer, a 501(C) (3) not-for-profit authentic 4,000 acre working cattle ranch in northern New Mexico, which provides the experience of the American cowboy to children suffering from cancer and various blood diseases, as well as to children who have lost a brother or sister to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Numerous organizations have recognized Ms. Imus’ impact. Earlier this month, she was named to the board of directors of The National Autism Association, and named a “Champion for Autism” by The Autism Education Foundation of the Morris-Union Jointure Commission. She also received an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Pace University.