The Vision Council Sponsors UV Episode on NBC’s The Great American Health Challenge: NYC
The Vision Council is sponsoring an upcoming episode of The Great American Health Challenge: NYC, which airs this Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 9:30p.m. on NBC New York Nonstop.
NBC Local Media, in partnership with GE, recently launched The Great American Health Challenge: NYC, a reality-driven series focused on spreading good health and wellness, and encouraging New Yorkers to make healthier choices while achieving a healthy lifestyle. The 12 episode series began airing on NBC New York Nonstop on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. Fifteen contestants on five different teams (one team for each NYC borough) compete in daily health missions to capture the title of “Healthiest Borough”, proving that good health can be contagious.
On June 29, 2011, contestants will turn into ultraviolet (UV) safety street patrol teams and hit the streets of New York as vision care advocates armed with sunglasses. With help from vision care experts Jamie Shyer, Chief Operating Officer of Zyloware Eyewear and Chairman of The Vision Council’s Board of Directors, and Dr. Justin Bazan of Park Slope Eye, teams promote the importance of protecting one’s eyes against harmful UVA and UVB rays. As part of the two-hour challenge, contestants compete to get as many people as possible to sign The Vision Council’s UV Awareness Pledge, promising to wear sunglasses for the summer – and throughout the remainder of the year – while spreading the message to friends and family.
“We saw this as a unique opportunity to teach contestants and viewers about the necessity of protecting their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays,” said Shyer. “Our goal is to make sure that people are aware of the need to protect their vision as well as their skin from overexposure to the sun.” He added, “Along with sunscreen, hats and other protective gear, we want people of all ages to remember to wear UV-blocking sunglasses whenever they’re outside.”
The UV protection episode airs a month after The Vision Council launched its national campaign, “UV Been Missing Something”, which encourages the regular use of UV protection for the eyes. The multi-year campaign aims to educate women, men and families about the harmful effects of unprotected UV exposure to the eyes and the skin around the eyes and how to ensure sun-safe activities.
