FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
The American Pain Foundation
Tina Regester

443.690.4707

The HealthCentral Network
Lucie Leblois, Director of Marketing

703.302.1053

American Pain Foundation and HealthCentral Network Announce Call for Artistic Submissions for Creativity and Pain Exhibit

Organizations Seeking Images, Text, Video and Quilt Blocks as Expressions of Personal Pain Experience

Baltimore, MD –(June 23, 2008)— The American Pain Foundation (APF) (www.painfoundation.org) and The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) announced today a call for entries for the second “Pain and Creativity” Exhibit. Those dealing with chronic pain from around the world are encouraged to submit expressions of how it has influenced their lives. Select artists and their pain stories will be highlighted through video, online and print publications to help share and illuminate the stories of pain and its impact on individuals and families.

This initiative is an effort to raise awareness of the pain experience and the impact it has on the individual, family and society and how it is expressed through art. Videos and a pain quilt that highlight artists and pain journeys will be shown at APF’s annual celebration and awards dinner, Images and Inspiration, to be held at the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 23. Welcome submissions include photos of still art, videos, and writing that reflect the experience of pain, as well as quilt blocks that will be incorporated into a larger work of art.

“Artistic expression is healing and powerful for the individual artists and for the audience,” said Will Rowe, Chief Executive Officer of APF. “The American Pain Foundation hopes to bring these visual stories to a wider public to highlight the pain experience. Quilts are a literal and figurative symbol of comfort and the joining of patchwork is a symbol of unity and community. It is our hope that the entrants find comfort through their artistic expressions and that the public at large is unified in greater awareness and understanding about issues surrounding pain.”

“It’s an honor to provide the forum that helps those dealing with chronic pain better cope with their conditions,” said Christopher M. Schroeder, CEO and President of The HealthCentral Network. “Through this exhibit, APF and HealthCentral can help the chronic pain community connect and share common experiences to help them live with this day-to-day.”

To be considered for the exhibit, online submissions must be entered by September 15th. Quilt submissions must be received by August 15th.

Online entrants can contribute poetry, prose, video or a digital photo of artwork with a paragraph describing the artwork and how it represents the entrant’s personal pain experience. Entries can be submitted online at www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/create/apf.

Submissions for the Pain Quilt, a reflection of the quilt-block maker’s journey with pain, should be original 10” by 10” block or blocks that are made of fabric, or with a foundation of fabric.

Other media (beads, fibers, feathers, etc.) may be used for embellishment. The blocks may be pieced or appliquéd, by hand or machine. They may be traditional or of original design. Blocks must be unfinished and unquilted; entrants are asked to leave at least ¼” on all sides of the square for the seams that will join the squares together.

Send quilt blocks directly to the American Pain Foundation, 201 N. Charles Street, Suite 710, Baltimore, MD 21201-4111. The blocks will not be returned to the maker, and will become the property of APF. The finished quilts will be exhibited at the APF’s annual celebration and awards dinner and will be used for fundraising purposes.

About The HealthCentral Network
The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. By offering connections to renowned experts, a network of patients and caregivers who share "real world" experience, and in-depth information, sites in The HealthCentral Network make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and caregivers. The HealthCentral Network also manages the highest-quality health advertising network, not building size for size's sake - but targeting condition-specific audiences who value and engage with information from marketers on their terms.

About the American Pain Foundation
The American Pain Foundation (APF) is a national nonprofit education, research and advocacy organization working to eliminate the epidemic of under treated pain in America.  APF has been working with consumers, healthcare professionals, regulators, families and others since 1997 to broaden the understanding of pain, and increase access to good pain treatment.  APF is the largest and most active pain patient organization in the country.  We are systematically developing resources for support and education for all Americans affected by pain and harnessing the power of consumers to speak out and improve pain care, policy, and increase research.