More Than 500 Philadelphia Youth with Asthma and Their Families to Attend Keystone Mercy Healthy Hoop...( Terrence How...),Health

Terrence Howard, Tyrese Gibson, Brent Celek and Jameer Nelson, Celebrities and Players of the Charlie Mack Celebrity Basketball Game, Expected to Attend the Day's Events

Philadelphia, PA (Vocus) July 23, 2009 -- More than 500 children and their families will attend the Healthy Hoops program, an asthma education and management program sponsored by Keystone Mercy Health Plan, at the Liacouras Center, here, on July 26, 2009.

Keystone Mercy members and program participants will be provided with health assessments, including, blood pressure, BMI, height, weight and spirometry screenings (to test lung capacity). Nutrition information and demonstrations on the use of asthma control devices will also be taught.

In addition to the program, participants will be invited to meet with the players of the Charlie Mack Celebrity Basketball Game, as well as attend, immediately following the screenings. More than 25 professional athletes and celebrities will be in attendance, including actor Terrence Howard; former and current NBA players Jameer Nelson, Cuttino Mobley, Kyle Lowry, Lynn Greer, Rasual Butler and Lou Williams; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Brent Celek and actor/comedian Kevin Hart, who all have ties to the Philadelphia area.

Healthy Hoops was created in 2002 by Keystone Mercy Health Plan in collaboration with the Healthy Hoops Coalition, whose members include AstraZeneca, Crozer-Keystone Health System, the American Lung Association, local basketball coaches and health organizations. The Healthy Hoops program uses basketball as a vehicle to teach children and their families how to manage asthma through appropriate medication usage, proper nutrition and monitored exercise and recreational activities.

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