Padma Lakshmi and Dr. Tamer Seckin, MD, Launch Endometriosis Foundation of America

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 15, 2009

Padma Lakshmi and Dr. Tamer Seckin today announce their partnership to form the nonprofit organization Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA), Endometriosis Foundation of America. Endometriosis affects nearly 10 million women and adolescent girls in the United States and can cause debilitating menstrual periods, infertility and health concerns. Ms Lakshmi, an actress, author and host of Top Chef has been treated for this health condition by Dr. Tamer Seckin, MD, a laparoscopic surgeon and renowned endometriosis specialist, and together they have decided it's time to bring attention to this important issue. The EFA will make its formal debut during its first annual fundraising event, the "Blossom Ball", on Monday, April 20, 2009 in New York City set to include a silent auction, seated dinner and dancing to raise funds to help combat this "silent epidemic".

"Women are having hysterectomies, suffering from infertility and lifelong pain which could all be avoided with proper education about this frequently misdiagnosed disease. Endometriosis is completely treatable but most doctors don't even know how to look for it," says Ms. Lakshmi. "I went through years of chronic pain until I met Dr. Seckin who literally changed the quality of my life. I have been treated for the disease and I am now completely healthy and free from the pain and stress it caused and the effect it had on every part of my life. I owe this to Dr. Seckin and I feel I owe it to young women to educate them so that they don't have to go through what I did."

"Needlessly, proper care is stifled and suffering from this ailment (endometriosis) is widespread because of common, societal prejudices and 'taboo subject' notions, which can result in a woman or adolescent girl who doesn't have the language to describe troubling symptoms with a doctor. Frankly, there's misinformation in the medical community," says Dr. Seckin. "But endometriosis is treatable--even curable--if addressed early enough. Too often it may not be diagnosed until a decade after it begins."

Adds Dr. Seckin, "Whether it's our mother, sister, daughter or other loved one, we all know someone with endometriosis."

Dr. Seckin is one of the field's most highly regarded U.S. surgeons, with experience and skill to address the ailment. Through increased awareness and education among the general public and medical professionals as well as research initiatives and legislative advocacy, the Foundation is committed to improving affected individuals' lives by early endometriosis detection, intervention and treatment.

EFA is the first United States organization of its kind founded by a medical professional. Its inaugural is scheduled to occur Monday evening, April 20, 2009, at Prince George Ballroom. For info on the "First Annual Blossom Ball" go to Endometriosis Foundation of America-First Annual Blossom Ball.

About Endometriosis and Treatment for It

During monthly menstruation, the female body based on hormonal fluctuations sheds the endometrium or uterine lining (the process commonly known as a "period"). In women who have endometriosis menstrual fluids leak back into the body in areas outside of the uterus, have no way to exit and accumulate on the bladder, top of the vagina or other nearby organs, leading to the development of scarring and fibroid-like nodules. This causes symptoms that vary from severe cramping to chronic pelvic pain, severe painful periods, infertility, and pain with sex, among additional complications.

Often women "manage" their discomfort for years with powerful painkillers and hormones, but these only mask symptoms of the condition. What's more, many patients are incorrectly informed by their doctors and treated for symptoms -- but not endometriosis, which consequently causes a long delay in treatment. This dangerous result has led to many "hit or miss" surgeries and thousands of unnecessary hysterectomies. Laparoscopic Excision Surgery (deep removal of all the disease) is one effective, less invasive option and is ideally performed by experienced, specialized surgeons with dedicated, multidisciplinary medical teams. The EFA will help create organized networks of specialists and support the establishment of endometriosis centers for excellence nationwide.

For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, please visit Endometriosis Foundation of America

About the Founders

Padma Lakshmi is known internationally as an actress, food expert, model and award-winning author. 2009 will be a busy year for Ms. Lakshmi with a new namesake jewelry line coming out in May, her return as host of Bravo's successful television series Top Chef, and as the new face of Pantene's Nature Fusion line. Ms. Lakshmi established herself as a food expert early in her career, having hosted two successful cooking shows (including the Food Network's Padma's Passport) and writing a best-selling cookbook Easy Exotic, for which she won the International Versailles Event for best cookbook by a first-time writer. Ms. Lakshmi followed this success with the publication of her second cookbook Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet, a larger endeavor filled with over 150 recipes from around the world and intriguing personal memoirs.

Tamer Seckin, MD, is ranked among America's Top Surgeons and Gynecologists, and over two decades has established himself internationally as a leading specialist in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery for the treatment of endometriosis, fibroids and associated pelvic pain. Dr. Seckin is noted for his expertise and skill in Excision Surgery, the gold standard therapy for endometriosis and fibroids, holds a patent in this field and has worked in partnership with world famous laparoscopic surgeons Dr. Harry Reich and Dr. C.Y. Liu in New York City. He passionately pursues thorough treatment of even the most challenging pathologies without leaving visible scars and, to that end, is recognized as a pioneer in Natural Orifice Surgery, the next generation of surgical challenge and choice.

Dr. Seckin serves on the board of the International Society for Gynecologic Endoscopy, and is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the European Society of Reproductive Endocrinology, the Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons, The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopy, The American Fertility Society, The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, The Society of Reproductive Surgeons, The New York Gynecological Society and The Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

See a brief, "endometriosis treatment" video-interview with expert Dr. Tamer Seckin, MD at

How are women currently being mistreated for Endometriosis?

###

Find More Series C Funding Press Releases

Ambistar Ventures Announces the Launch of GLOBATEXT.COM, a Web-based Mobile Messaging and Communications Platform for SMB'S

Austin, TX (PRWEB) July 11, 2011

Ambistar Ventures, the Austin-based Technology Incubator, today announced the official launch of the pioneering messaging website Globatext.com. For the past 6 months the website had operated in a private invitation-only beta version. Now, the website is fully operational and available to all businesses and organizations who wish to access the site.

Globatext has opened up the vast, uncharted territory of SMB Mobile Marketing by providing Small-to-Medium sized businesses with a platform to manage their own mobile messaging campaigns, said Timothy Ngo, founder of Ambistar Ventures. Thanks to Globatexts easy-to-use web-based platform, SMBs can now set-up and launch their own mobile messaging program within minutes.

Globatext is a web-based service that enables businesses and organizations to create and self-manage their own messaging campaigns with ease. Competitive monthly plans start at $ 25, making Globatext the lowest cost messaging service in the industry today. Globatext supports the transmission of 5 different message types, which can all be sent from one simple web interface. Using the message control panel, business owners and managers can chose a variety of ways to get their message out to customers or prospects, including SMS text messaging, MMS picture messaging, Instant Messaging, Email and even Social Networking Posts.

Globatext has robust features that will appeal across a wide range of businesses and industries. Globatext representatives said that their primary target clients would be businesses such as restaurants, retail stores, real estate offices, nightclubs/bars and service oriented companies. Globatext will also be focusing on such organizations as universities, government agencies, as well as political, social and religious groups.

Besides its state-of-the-art multi-mode platform, the differentiator that really sets Globatext apart from other Mobile Marketing Technology companies is its commitment to client support. Sean Wade, co-founder of Ambistar Ventures, said: "Many business owners who have not taken part in mobile marketing campaigns in the past haven't done so because they lack experience with this emerging medium. Many non-tech savvy business owners simply don't know how to take the first steps towards designing their own campaign. Globatext solves this problem through technology and consultancy.

Globatext clients will each be assigned a dedicated, local Account Representative who will not only help small business owners navigate the Globatext platform, but will also play a role in helping businesses build their customer lists and create effective ongoing mobile marketing campaigns. Ngo said, "We believe we are the first company in the world to provide this level of technology combined with this one-on-one business mentoring."

According to new estimates from ABI Research, taken together, mobile marketing and advertising will grow at an impressive rate of 40% CAGR over the next five years. ABI concluded that, "Compared to campaigns in more traditional media, mobile marketing can be relatively inexpensive. Moreover, ads can be highly targeted and naturally paired with the rich mobile content that a growing number of consumers are accessing through mobile devices."

Businesses need to take a hard look at the way they are interacting with current customers and prospects, said Ngo. If they dont currently have a mobile relationship with their customers, they run the risk of losing them to competitors.

One of the stand-out features of Globatext is its mobile couponing feature. For many consumers, the habit of virtually clipping and carrying a coupon on their phone is rapidly becoming instinctive. That explains why almost 70 million mobile coupons worth $ 2.4 billion are expected to be redeemed in 2013, up from a mere 200,000 coupons in 2009. Whether its a coupon or an ad, getting value from local businesses through the mobile phone has become much more accepted than it was only a couple of years ago. Sixty three percent of consumers say they are either comfortable or very comfortable with receiving value offers through their mobile device.

Other features of the Globatext Platform include the ability to create and send QR codes, mobile voting, appointment reminders, Mcards, and voice broadcasts.

At the official launch, Ngo went on to say, With increasing trends in mobile marketing, the demand for a low cost, easy-to-use mass messaging solution for SMBs is clearly on the rise. With the launch of Globatext, we have directly responded to this tremendous market demand.

About Ambistar Ventures

Ambistar Ventures is a Technolgy Incubator based in Austin,TX. Ambistar Ventures makes early stage investments in technology companies with mass market audiences. Ambistars investment priorities include web and mobile advertising, mobile computing, cloud computing, web analytics, social networks, e-learning, wireless experiences and consumer shopping.

About Globatext

Globatext is a web-based messaging platform that allows business owners and managers to create and launch their own messaging campaigns for marketing or communication. Globatext provides next generation tools that allow companies to conveniently send SMS, MMS, IM, Email and Social Networking Posts. Business owners and managers interested in Globatext can visit http://www.globatext.com or call 512-777-4480 to speak to a Sales Representative.

###

Hats Plus Announces the Launch of its New Hat Enthusiast Blog: Hat Chronicles

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 23, 2011

Retailer Hats Plus announced today the launch of its new hat enthusiast blog Hat Chronicles. Want to know about the hat Don Draper wears in Mad Men? Curious about how the homburg hat was invented? Wondering just how to fit the proper topper? Dying to know which celebrity was spotted sporting the latest Stetson fedora? Hat Chronicles is the hottest new blog offering answers to these burning questions and much, much more.

Hats Plus a bustling brick and mortar hat store in Chicago bolstered by an extensive ecommerce website recently launched the new blog to entertain, educate and engage headwear enthusiasts and the hat curious alike.

Whether you have worn hats for a long time or not, we hope you will find something to interest you in our new blog, said owner Martin Mann, who was named Hat Retailer of the Year in 2009 by the Headwear Association. "If you look back in history, people have always worn hats. Hats are here to stay. Hats are about lifestyle; people wear them for warmth, solar protection, fashion, personality, stage performances and many other reasons."

The blog offers articles across five main categories: Hollywood Hatties, Hat University, Welcome to Our World, Get it While its Hot and Beyond the Brim.

Celebrity Hats

Hollywood Hatties looks at the hats worn by the stars in the movies and TV shows of today and yesterday. From Leonardo DiCaprios fedora in Shutter Island to Oddjobs steel-rimmed bowler hat in Goldfinger, there are plenty of great examples of hats playing a feature role in Hollywood over the years.

Be Hat Smart

Hat University explores the proper care and maintenance of hats. Some of the recent topics include:

How Do I Avoid Hat Hair?
Is this Hat too Big?
Are Hat Feathers Necessary?

Step into the World of Hats Plus

Welcome to Our World brings to life the customer (and employee) experience in the brick-and-mortar hat shop located in Chicago. Read about Edwin Urrutia, the resident Hat Whisperer. Or catch up with a few customers on a recent Saturday as they discuss the relative merits of the Stetson Sutley, Bailey Crushable Fedora and Biltmore Tyrolean (delightful in bright red or green for the holidays!)

Hat Parade

Get it While its Hot highlights some of the latest hats available for sale and their special features. Heres an excerpt from the December 30, 2010 post:

There are few hats as adept at keeping your melon toasty as a bomber. Yup, these are hats that look like what pilots used to wear. (Of course, the origins of that hat date back to Russia, China and other really cold places.) Our Mad Bomber is one of the most popular models we sell, as it is lined with rabbit fur and made of soft lambskin leather that is very warm.

Hat History and Trivia

And, finally, there is Beyond the Brim . This section delves deeper into the history of headwear, defines features in hats, looks at famous people and the hats they wore and other fun miscellany. A recent post took a look at Chicago Mayor William Hale Thompson. Mayor Thompson was a notorious crony of Al Capone, and was frequently photographed sporting his customary bowler hat.

Weve been developing Hat Chronicles for more than five months, said Nathaniel Cerf, who is the sites editor and principal writer. It is a lot of fun, and were hoping our readers and hat enthusiasts find it as entertaining to read as we have found it to create.

Were looking forward to actively engaging both our loyal customers and casual readers in the blog. Weve got some exciting plans for galleries and revolving promotions that will be a lot of fun for everyone, Cerf continued. For us, hats are more than just what we sell, they are a style icon and a symbol of the good life.

About Hats Plus

Serving Chicagoland since 1987, the Hats Plus retail store is located at 4706 W. Irving Park Rd. We offer more than 600 types of men's hats, with more than 30,000 hats in stock. Feature brands include Stetson, Kangol, Goorin Brothers, Borsalino, Biltmore, Dobbs and many others. The online store is at http://www.hats-plus.com. Our phone number is (877) 428-7863.

###