To raise awareness of Wellness Week in March, PKPR conceived and organized a launch event on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. yesterday. The event served as the kickoff for the National Wellness Week Pledge, seven simple ways Americans can take charge of their health. Wellness Week national spokesperson Mariel Hemingway was joined by a bipartisan Congressional team led by Representatives Lynn Woolsey (D-California) and Tom Petri (R-Wisconsin). More than 100 guests, including media, legislative staff, and representatives from national health care advocacy groups attended the standing room only breakfast and signed the Wellness Week Pledge.
Following the event, PKPR arranged for Hemingway and SpaFinder’s Sallie Fraenkel to meet with Congressional leaders, including Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Joe Pitts to discuss how wellness and prevention are crucial to reducing long-term health care costs associated with chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Coverage of the event ranged from The National Journal to the Washington Express to The Hill.