- Aspiring young designers give YAZ(R) birth control case a makeover -
WAYNE, N.J., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Nina Garcia of the Emmy-nominated
series "Project Runway" is calling upon designer hopefuls everywhere to
submit contemporary and fashionable packaging concepts for the oral
contraceptive YAZ(R) (drospirenone & ethinyl estradiol). In partnership
with Step Up Women's Network, a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated
to mentoring and empowering young women for advancement, and Bayer
HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Garcia announced today the launch of the "YAZ:
Step Up and Go Beyond" contest. The grand prize winner will receive $10,000
to help jumpstart a career in design.
"Whether you are an aspiring designer, graphic artist or simply the
office fashionista with a flair for what's chic, now is the chance to put
your talent to the test and turn your visions into reality," said Nina
Garcia.
Like many young women, Garcia dreamed of being in the fashion industry.
She started her career working in the public relations department for Perry
Ellis and its then head designer, Marc Jacobs. She then moved to Mirabella
magazine and later to Elle, gradually rising up the ranks, and today, she
is one of the world's foremost fashion trendsetters.
"The design challenge we're posing is a fashion transformation unlike
any other," said Garcia. "We're taking an iconic accessory -- the birth
control case -- and asking aspiring designers to take a shot at redesigning
it into a chic, more sophisticated carrying case that they could slip into
their purses."
Contestants can enter the contest online at http://www.PillPackMakeover.com.
Design submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2008. On behalf of
Garcia, Step Up Women's Network and Bayer HealthCare, one lucky winner will
receive $10,000 to invest in design classes or for the purchase of special
design materials and software. The contest winner will be announced around
the time of Fall Fashion Week 2008.
"At Step Up Women's Network, we are dedicated to providing women with
opportunities for advancement -- whether that's in their careers, education
or just their everyday lives," said Danielle Carrig, Executive Director of
Step Up Women's Network. "In tandem with our mission, we are pleased to be
part of this unique and inspiring contest, which will tap the potential of
creative designers, and spotlight their talents that may otherwise have
gone unrecognized."
Putting a Spotlight on Health
YAZ is the first and only oral contraceptive approved to treat the
emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms severe enough to impact a
woman's life. These symptoms, called premenstrual dysphoric disorder
(PMDD), can include irritability, fatigue, moodiness, feeling anxious and
bloating. These symptoms can also significantly impact a woman's quality of
life interfering with school, work or personal relationships with others.
YAZ is the only oral contraceptive (OC) that has been shown to be effective
in clinical studies to reduce monthly menstrual symptoms and improve
quality of life in women with PMDD.
In addition, YAZ is proven effective in treating moderate acne in women
seeking contraception. In recent studies, nine out of 10 women taking YAZ
saw improvement in their moderate acne. YAZ is the first and only oral
contraceptive on the market clinically proven to treat both PMDD and
moderate acne, providing women with health benefits beyond birth control.
About the "YAZ: Step Up and Go Beyond" Contest
The "YAZ: Step Up and Go Beyond" contest is a design competition open
to people age 18 or older. Registration is available online at
http://www.PillPackMakeover.com. Here, designers will be asked to fill out a
registration form and submit an electronic file of their design along with
a 100-word description. Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
-- Most embodies the theme of female empowerment (25%)
-- Most creative and original (25%)
-- Most discreet (25%)
-- Most fashion forward and stylish (25%)
Judges of the contest include Nina Garcia of "Project Runway",
Executive Director of Step Up Women's Network Danielle Carrig and Lauren
Streicher, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at
Northwestern University, Chicago. The contest is sponsored by Bayer
HealthCare, in partnership with Nina Garcia and Step Up Women's Network.
About Step Up Women's Network
Step Up Women's Network is a national non-profit membership
organization dedicated to strengthening community resources for young
women. Through empowerment programs, women's health education and advocacy,
professional mentorship and social networking opportunities, the
organization aims to educate and activate their members to ensure that
women have the tools they need to create a better future.
Step Up is on the cutting edge of women's social philanthropy. The
programs are designed to engage women in a way that inspires a life-long
commitment to responsible, philanthropic involvement encompassing hands-on
volunteer work and leadership opportunities. For more information, please
log on to http://www.SUWN.org.
About YAZ
YAZ(R) (drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) is indicated for the
prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use an oral contraceptive.
YAZ is also indicated for the treatment of symptoms of premenstrual
dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in women who choose to use an oral contraceptive
as their method of contraception. The effectiveness of YAZ for PMDD when
used for more than three menstrual cycles has not been evaluated. YAZ has
not been evaluated for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
YAZ is indicated for the treatment of moderate acne vulgaris in women
at least 14 years of age, who have no known contraindications to oral
contraceptive therapy and have achieved menarche. YAZ should be used for
the treatment of acne only if the patient desires an oral contraceptive for
birth control.
Women who would like to learn more about YAZ should call the toll-free
number 1-888-84-BAYER or visit http://www.yaz-us.com.
Important Information About YAZ
YAZ contains 3 mg of the progestin drospirenone that has
anti-mineralocorticoid activity including the potential for hyperkalemia in
high-risk patients, comparable to a 25-mg dose of spironolactone.
YAZ should not be used in patients with conditions that predispose to
hyperkalemia (ie, renal insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, and adrenal
insufficiency). Women receiving daily, long-term treatment for chronic
conditions or diseases with medications that may increase serum potassium
should have their serum potassium levels checked during the first treatment
cycle. Medications that may increase serum potassium include ACE
inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, potassium-sparing
diuretics, potassium supplementation, heparin, aldosterone antagonists, and
NSAIDs.
Patients should be counseled that OCs do not protect against HIV
infection and other sexually transmitted diseases. The use of oral
contraceptives is associated with increased risks of several serious
conditions including venous and arterial thrombotic and thromboembolic
events (such as myocardial infarction, thromboembolism, stroke), hepatic
neoplasia, gallbladder disease, and hypertension. Cigarette smoking
increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects; women who take
OCs are strongly advised not to smoke.
About Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the U.S.-based pharmaceuticals
operation of Bayer HealthCare LLC, a division of Bayer AG. One of the
world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical
products industry, Bayer HealthCare combines the global activities of the
Animal Health, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, and Pharmaceuticals divisions.
In the United States, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals comprises the
following business units: Women's Healthcare, Diagnostic Imaging,
Specialized Therapeutics, Hematology, and Oncology. The company's aim is to
discover and manufacture products that will improve human health worldwide
by diagnosing, preventing and treating diseases.
SOURCE Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.berlex.com
http://www.SUWN.org http://www.yaz-us.com
http://www.PillPackMakeover.com
CONTACT:
Rose Talarico of Bayer HealthCare
Pharmaceuticals, +1-973-305-5302, rose.talarico@bayer.com; or
Johanna Fleischman of Ogilvy Public Relations for Bayer
HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, +1-212-880-5204,
johanna.fleischman@ogilvypr.com
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