Event Sponsored by the University’s "Students in Free Enterprise"
FAIRFIELD,CT, April 29, 2010 -- Environmental health advocate Deirdre Imus addressed approximately 100 students at Sacred Heart University on April 29th. In her speech titled, “What’s Green Got to Do With It?,” Ms. Imus drew parallels between everyday exposures to toxins and the increasing incidence of cancer and other illnesses, especially in children.
During her interactive presentation, Ms. Imus posed a number of questions to students, among them: Why are our children so sick? Is the environment making our children sick? How toxic is our world?
“Many children today are born pre-polluted. Two studies have found 287 toxic chemicals found in cord blood and 148 toxic chemicals that have been identified in the blood and urine of Americans of all ages. These toxic chemicals play a large role in the rise in asthma, allergies, childhood rheumatism, cancer, and other serious conditions and illnesses,” said Ms. Imus. “The prevalence of toxins in food, the water supply, vaccines, and other outside sources makes it impossible to eliminate all exposures, but we can reduce their affects by making healthier choices regarding food, cleaning supplies, and personal care products.”
Ms. Imus urged this generation to explore alternative medicine. She encouraged the students to educate themselves in toxins and pay attention to what they expose themselves to and what they put into their bodies. She concluded her speech by asking the students “What is your sense of purpose?” She equated purpose with giving to others and adopting a healthier lifestyle. “In order to help others you need to start with yourself first,” she said.
Ms. Imus’ visit will serve as a starting point for a student project sponsored by SIFE to promote the use of green cleaning products in schools throughout the region.
Deirdre Imus is the Founder and President of The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® at Hackensack University Medical Center and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Imus Cattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer. Deirdre is the author of four books, including three national bestsellers. She is a frequent speaker on green living and children's health issues, and is a frequent contributor to FoxNewsHealth.com and the Huffington Post.
ABOUT THE DEIRDRE IMUS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CENTER:
The Deirdre Imus Environmental Health Center® at Hackensack University Medical Center represents one of the first hospital-based programs whose specific mission is to identify, control and ultimately prevent toxic exposures in the environment that threaten our children's health. The Center’s mission is twofold: to enhance health by educating our children, their parents and the public-at-large about the carcinogens and other environmental factors that occur all too commonly in our lives…and to serve as a voice that can realistically help shape policy decisions that impact the environment and our well being.