Press Releases: Southern California
November 19, 2007
Aloha! Come Aboard the Kaiser Permanente Rose Parade Float, and Let's Paddle Our Way to a Healthier New Year
Float features young actor from "Thrive" TV ad ("Things are looking up!") and 10 inspiring young riders who are heroically fighting their way through deadly diseases; Physicians available for interviews on keeping new year resolutions and for demos on preparing healthy meals; public invited to sign-up for weight management courses
PASADENA, Calif. – Aloha! Come experience Kaiser Permanente's uplifting Rose Parade float and embrace its healthy lifestyle message through the new year! This year's "Aloha Festival" entry into the 119th Annual Tournament of Roses Parade includes young riders and vivid Hawaiian images that represent the importance of physical, mental, and spiritual balance in achieving and maintaining total health, a central theme of Kaiser Permanente's ongoing "Thrive" message. Leading up to the parade – which is set to begin in Pasadena on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time – will be several visual and fun events.
The float's Hawaiian theme was chosen in part because 2008 marks Kaiser Permanente's 50th year in Hawaii. The highly animated float features four eight-foot tall sculpted children dressed in traditional Hawaiian skirts and sarongs and festooned in over-sized leis and wreaths. One sculpted child paddles an enormous outrigger canoe poised on six-foot high floral waves made with more than 37,000 white roses, orchids, irises, delphinium, hydrangea blossoms, and other flowers. Other sculpted children dance and play Hawaiian music while shimmering dolphins frolic through a cascade of sparkling floral ocean waves. Sea turtles, shells, and starfish are scattered on an ocean floor of roses and irises. Giant floral fans, palm trees, and sculptured hibiscus enliven this island scene. Moving on the street alongside the float will be 22 dancers (11 on each side) performing traditional and modern hula. Two more dancers will be seated on the float. (A float rendering and a float details sheet are available.)
Also on-board will be six-year-old actor Pete Wiggins (with parent) who stars in the Kaiser Permanente television commercial "Kid Wisdom" – part of the organization's ongoing "Thrive" advertising campaign – that promotes healthier lifestyles. Young and old can relate to Pete's comment: "I got into some bad habits ... Now I take better care of myself ... Things are looking up!"
The float also includes 10 real-life young Kaiser Permanente patients, ages 12-17, who are heroically fighting through significant diseases such as sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and various cancers. For example, Marisa Wax was born prematurely, weighing less than three pounds, suffering from a variety of ailments, and underwent brain surgery. Her doctor said, "No one thought she could live. She literally went from death's doorstep back to life." Marisa, 12, now performs in front of crowds as an actress and singer, loves to dance, and aspires to become a doctor. Each of the young float riders has their own inspiring story. In recommending this diverse group of incredible kids, their physicians referred to them as "heroes," "survivors," and "great kids that I have the honor of caring for." (A sheet that provides brief profiles on these young float riders is available.)
If these kids have the strength and commitment to fight for good health, so can you!
Start 2008 right. Make a new year resolution to improve your health. If you are like most people, you will probably choose "losing weight," which ranks No. 1 in most surveys. Eat better, exercise more, and stop smoking are other resolutions typically in the top 10.
Our physicians are available to be interviewed on how individuals can develop realistic plans to keep their resolutions. They can also provide live healthy cooking demonstrations through the use of our portable cooking cart. Individuals who want to lose weight can contact a Kaiser Permanente facility near them for information on our weight management programs – open to Kaiser Permanente members and non-members – which have classes starting in early 2008.
Yes, Kaiser Permanente is here to make lives better. We are aiming to communicate this through our Rose Parade float. Come and see our employees decorate it. Over 400 Kaiser Permanente employees are scheduled to decorate the float from Wednesday, Dec. 26, through Friday, Dec. 28, during the daily hours of 8 a.m. through 11 p.m., at Fiesta Parade Floats, 2144 Buena Vista Street, Duarte. On these decorating days, employees will volunteer their time to add the finishing touches, which includes gluing thousands of fresh roses to the float. Volunteers, including physicians, and young float riders will be available for interviews.
Benjamin K. Chu, MD, president of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said, "Our 'Aloha Festival' float represents Kaiser Permanente and the healthy balanced life that we all know is vital, yet hard to achieve. We hope our Rose Parade float can be an inspiration to collective action, a passport to a better life. Let's get on-board the healthier lifestyles canoe and together paddle our way through a healthier new year."
The Rose Parade will feature floral floats, equestrian units, and marching bands from throughout the nation. Each year, approximately 40 million Americans across the nation watch the parade on television, as well as millions of additional international viewers in 150 territories around the world. The parade is broadcast live by nine networks: ABC, NBC, HGTV, Tribune, Univision, Telemundo, Travel Channel, Discovery HD Theater, and Sky Link TV. In addition, an estimated one million people line the parade route in Pasadena each New Year's Day to watch the event in-person.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is America's leading integrated health plan. Founded in 1945, it is a nonprofit, group practice prepayment program with Southern California headquarters in Pasadena, California. Kaiser Permanente serves the health care needs of 3.3 million members in Southern California. Today it encompasses the nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries, and the for-profit Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region includes more than 49,900 technical, administrative and clerical employees and caregivers, and more than 6,000 physicians representing all specialties. More information about Kaiser Permanente can be found at kaiserpermanente.org.
