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Gary Lipton Media Relations Manager Phone: 1-(800)-222-5551 Fax: 1-(800)-990-4329 Web site: www. napsnet .com e-mail: printmedia@napsnet.com #2510 North American Precis Syndicate, Inc., 350 Fifth Avenue, 65th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10118-0110 , New York, NY 10174 • 1-800-222-5551 Living Proof That Bone Marrow Registration Saves Lives (NAPSA)—Every year, more than 10,000 people are diagnosed with life-threatening diseases that can be treated with a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, most will never find a match. According to the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP), a nonprofit organization that registers potential donors, thousands could be treated each year if more Americans took a surprisingly simple step. Meet Matthew Three-year-old Matthew Welling’s family knows about waiting for a match. At a year old, Matthew was diagnosed with the often fatal disease of osteopetrosis, but thanks to registered donor Steve Karas, a bone marrow transplant saved his life. “It was a relatively easy and painless procedure,” Karas said. “It was an amazing opportunity and something that has changed my life.” More Donors Needed After learning how Karas, a n Aflac sales agent, saved Matthew’s life, his company wanted to help. Aflac president and COO Paul Amos, a registered donor, spearheaded an initiative with the NMDP to register as many Aflac employees and sales agents as possible. “More and more, we are seeing this as a course of treatment, yet many people still cannot get matches. In fact, 61 percent of people applying for bone marrow are Free Reasons To Smile (NAPSA)—In addition to sunshine, thrill rides and attractions beyond compare, Orlando has created more reasons to smile when planning a getaway this spring or early summer. The “Bundles of Free Smiles” promotion, running through June 30, includes free admission to attractions, free room nights, free perks and even free events, making it even easier to enjoy an affordable vacation. Young Matthew Welling owes his life to Steve Karas, who started out a stranger willing to donate his bone marrow. Now the Welling family and Karas are the closest of friends. unable to get it,” Amos said. Statistics show that for certain minority groups, the odds of finding a matching donor are even worse. To date, Aflac has registered employees and sales agents ranging in the thousands, which Dr. William G. Woods, medical director for the Aflac Cancer Center in Atlanta, says is just what the doctor ordered. “Children who need a bone marrow transplant often don’t have family matches that work. We have to rely on bone marrow registries.” More registration drives are scheduled throughout the country. Learn More To find out more about bone marrow donation, how you can help and how it may help you, visit Matthewwelling.org. A new kind of savings program gives vacationers a host of free offers to add smiles to any Central Florida trip. The program was created by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. Freebies include additional nights at top resorts such as the Orlando World Center Marriott, free theme park tickets and free kids tickets at various attractions such as airboat or balloon rides. In addition, trips to SeaWorld, Universal and Walt Disney World come with free add-ons and discounts. Free offers are redeemed by downloading an Orlando Smile Card ™ at bundlesoffreesmiles. com or mentioning the promotional code associated with the offer. If the card is required, visitors can simply show it at participating establishments. More information is available by calling (800) 551-0181 or visiting bundlesoffreesmiles.com. Fun Snacks Keep Kids Smiling—And Healthy (NAPSA)—There are plenty of ways by which parents can get even the most finicky little eaters to enjoy healthful foods. The key is to select foods that are healthy, fun and delicious. For instance, adding pears to kids’ favorite dishes or coming up with some new ways to include pears in your child’s daily menu can increase the nutrition content of meals without a lot of added time or trouble. Plus, pears can be used in a number of simple recipes that your child will enjoy making with you. Try these tips for adding pears—and therefore nutrients like fiber and vitamin C—to your child’s diet: Pear “French Fries” Using a French fry cutter or a knife, slice firm pears into French fry shapes. Serve these healthy treats raw with yogurt or chocolate sauce for dipping as a n a f t e r- s c h o o l o r a n y t i m e healthy snack. Pearfect Cheese and Crackers Top whole grain crackers with sliced pears and low-fat cheese for a slightly sweet snack or lunch. Pears can be a simple and kidfriendly way to add nutrition to mealtime. child add layers of plain or vanilla low-fat yogurt, granola and more pears for an amazing breakfast or snack. Pear-kebabs with Strawberry Dipping Sauce 1 cup vanilla yogurt 4 tablespoons strawberry preserves 2 Bosc or Anjou USA Pears, cored and cut into 1” cubes 2 bananas, cut into 1” slices 1 can pineapple chunks, drained 2 cups strawberries, stems removed 6 wooden skewers In a small bowl, combine yogurt and strawberry preserves. Set aside. Alternate pears, bananas, pineapple and strawberries onto the skewers. Serve fruit with strawberry sauce on the side. Serves 6 Yogurt Pearfait Place pear chunks in the bottom of a clear glass. Have your For more kid-friendly recipes, tips and online games, visit www.usapears.org.