Cheerios 'Sisters Saving Hearts Awards' to Recognize African-American Women and Organizations Working to Combat Heart Disease

MINNEAPOLIS, April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to provide Black women with heart health education and tools to help lower the incidence of heart disease, Cheerios(R) recently partnered with American Urban Radio Network (AURN) to launch the Sisters Saving Hearts Awards and grant program. The initiative is part of a three-year comprehensive campaign launched through General Mills' Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts (TM), and includes a nationwide search that will donate a total of $25,000 to African-American women and organizations working to generate greater awareness of the risks of heart disease.

Individuals may nominate a friend, family member, colleague, organization or themselves to receive one of five Cheerios(R) Sisters Saving Hearts grants by completing an online nomination at http://www.sisterssavinghearts.com/. Nominations forms can also be downloaded from the website and mailed to Cheerios(R) Sisters Saving Hearts Program, P.O. Box 72306, Rockford, MN 55572. The program will honor recipients by presenting $5,000 grants to a charity or community organization of their choice that is committed to developing programs that raise awareness and provide education about the risk of heart disease in Black women. Honorees will be selected by a panel of judges appointed by General Mills.

Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States and, according to the National Institute of Health, the incidence of heart disease is especially great among African-American women. The Sisters Saving Hearts Awards is designed to provide information and prevention strategies that promote overall health.

"Believe it or not, most women still don't realize that the most effective way to prevent heart disease is by instituting a healthy diet and physical fitness program," said Dr. Karol E. Watson, Co-Director for the UCLA Program in Preventive Cardiology. "If we could get them to understand this, and incorporate these elements into their daily routine, they would see a significant improvement in their overall health and lives."

"At General Mills, we are committed to issues that affect women across the country, especially one as serious as heart health," said Amy Sweeney, Cheerios Marketing. "We're excited to launch the Sisters Saving Hearts Awards and hope that this three-year initiative will help raise awareness, provide education and encourage an ongoing dialogue about the risk of heart disease among African-American women."

Sisters Saving Hearts Awards submissions must highlight the unique nature of a candidate's heart health related service; the candidate's commitment and length of service; the number of people whose lives have been affected by the nominee's efforts, and the candidate's heartfelt caring. Online nominations must be received by 12:00 pm on April 30, 2007 and mail in entries must be postmarked by April 30, 2007.

The Sisters Saving Hearts Awards supports the Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts(R) initiative that was created by General Mills to help raise awareness and provide education about the risk of heart disease. Through the program, General Mills seeks to encourage individuals to do their part to prevent heart disease and recognize those who are making a difference. Taking simple steps each day, like choosing foods that are part of a heart-healthy diet and getting the recommended physical activity, are important ways to help improve heart health. In 2007-2008, Cheerios Circle of Helping Hearts(R) will donate $500,000 to women's organizations addressing heart disease.

For more information on nominating candidates for Sisters Saving Hearts Awards or to find out more about Cheerios and heart health, consumers can call 1-800-837-8804 or visit http://www.sisterssavinghearts.com/.

About General Mills

General Mills, with annual net sales of $12.5 billion, is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of consumer foods products. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., General Mills' mission is to innovate to make people's lives healthier, easier and richer around the world. Its global brand portfolio includes Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Haagen-Dazs, Old El Paso and more. It also has more than 100 U.S. consumer brands, more than 30 of which generate annual retail sales in excess of $100 million. General Mills also is a leading supplier of baking and other food products to the foodservice and commercial baking industries.