For Immediate Release

Contact: Chris Foster

            202-530-4624

New Brand of Greeting Cards Introduces Wellness to Inspiration

Creator Dr. Sharon Allison-Ottey is Committed to Personal Health, Empowerment and Wellness

Washington, DC – June 26, 2009 - - Carlden Media, Marketing and Publishing Group announced today the release of a new line of greeting cards with inspirational messages about health and wellness.  The brainchild of Sharon Allison-Ottey, MD,   this innovative card line is a natural extension of her recent fiction novels which have been coined “fiction with a purpose.”   This new line of greeting cards will feature cards for every occasion, each with “A Moment of Health and Wellness” on the back.

It is the life mission of Dr. Sharon to provide valuable health information in a manner that positively impacts lives. She describes the cards as “the cards that keep on giving."  Along with providing inspirational messages, 10 percent of the purchase price of each card from the Cards by Dr. Sharon line will be donated to the Avon Foundation for Women to support its mission to improve the lives of women through its ongoing efforts to fight breast cancer and end the devastating cycle of domestic violence.  

Currently the cards are available on the Cards by Dr. Sharon’s website at Click here and other selected venues. Plans for the broad distribution of the cards are underway. 

In the past three years, Dr. Sharon has published books that use storytelling to communicate critical health education and empowerment messages.  Her first book, All I Ever Did Was Love Man, published by Hilton Publishing and released in December 2006, used the story of a young faithful, divorced, middle aged woman to educate her readers of the dangers, risk factors and treatment options for HIV/AIDS.  Her first publication was extremely successful and continues to be a favorite of reading groups, colleges, women and other organizations.  She has plans for a series of seven books which will address health topics with intriguing fiction story lines.  Additionally, she has authored a practical self help book, Is That Fried Chicken Wing Worth It?, about weight and lifestyle choices which will be released this month.  A frequently requested speaker and writer, Dr. Sharon has a popular newsletter which provides information that is easily digestible and put into practice. 

“My goal with this new line extension is to use the greeting cards to provide personal health information, encouragement and uplifting messages for my readers”, says Dr. Sharon.  “I want to provide useful, practical and relevant health messages in simple terms that everyone can understand.” According to Dr. Sharon, “These cards can be given to uplift, wish Happy Birthday, give condolences and express any sentiment. These cards can also be tucked away and taken to the doctor’s office and serve as a reminder that health is a personal responsibility.”

“I am proud of what Dr. Sharon is doing through her novels and now her greeting cards, she continues to raise the bar and innovate for how to deliver useful health messages for those who follow her” says,  Dr. Randall Maxey, President Association of Minority Medical Associations.

In addition to her publications and line of wellness cards with a purpose, Dr. Sharon is a frequent lecturer, health strategist, medical researcher and health literacy advocate. She is the Executive Director of The COSHAR Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to health outreach and education.    You can learn more about the work of Dr. Sharon on her website Click here.

About the Avon Foundation for Women:

The Avon Foundation for Women was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families. The Avon Foundation currently brings this mission to life through two key areas of focus: breast cancer and domestic violence. Thanks to the support of generous and committed people worldwide, more than $660 million has been raised for these causes through 2008, with millions more being raised in 2009. For more information: avonfoundation.org.