Actress Alicia Cole Appears on The Doctors TV Show Today

One of my clients and friends appeared on the TV Show Today the Doctors. Alicia Cole, was a working actress until she went to the hospital for a routine surgery. The result was shown on the show today. Flesh Eating Bacteria. She provided tips on how you can protect yourself in the hospital. Tips such as:

1) Make sure nurses and all in contact with you wash their hands always.
2) Watch visitors and make sure they don't sit on your bed with their coats, etc. Have them wash hands too.
3) Watch for signs that something could go wrong. Alicia noticed a small black dot at first.

For media interviews, contact me, diana@virtualwordpublishing.com. Here's her release with additional information.

Actress Continues Fight Against Hospital Errors & Rise in MRSA Cases

Sherman Oaks, California Actress Alicia Cole, a Screen Actors Guild member for 14 years, is known for the many portraits of doctors and nurses, including roles on General Hospital, Young and the Restless, and more. But a year ago, Cole switched from playing a doctor to becoming a real-life patient after contracting Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF), ‘Man-eating Flesh Disease’. This lead to six additional surgeries and a struggle to survive. This also lead Cole to fight to bring awareness to the rise in preventable hospital acquired infections and particularly MRSA Cases.

It is estimated that staph infections alone kill approximately 100,000 Americans in hospitals annually. Dennis Quaid’s family tragedy is a prime example of the increase in preventable hospital errors today.

Cole’s plight began on Aug. 15, 2006 upon entering the same top-rated San Fernando Valley hospital that treated fan favorite John Ritter. Following a minor procedure, a quarter-sized pustule developed that would lead to the traumatizing diagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis. To view the ravaging effects of this disease go to Cole’s site at http://www.aliciacole.com.

Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF) is a bacterial infection that attacks the soft tissue and fascia. In order to contact the bacteria, it needs to be introduced into the body. Thereby, NF often occurs through complications from surgery or infections from hospitals.

“I vowed, if I am able to survive this, I will dedicate myself to insuring that no other family has to endure the trauma and burdens inflicted by a preventable hospital infection.” Cole now advocates nationally for safer healthcare and public reporting of hospital infection and death rates. Cole was the first member of the public to address Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Committee on Hospital Associated Infections created by Senate Bill 739.

Cole recently founded the Alliance for Safety Awareness for Patients (ASAP) to educate and protect patients. ASAP works with established advocacy groups, healthcare providers and legislators to strive to reduce the spread of preventable hospital-acquired infections by empowering the public to make informed decisions about healthcare issues.

Stop the disease. Make a Difference. Go to www.aliciacole.com for more details. Alicia Cole is available for media interviews by contacting publicist Diana Ennen at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com.

Hannah Montana's Cody Linley to Appear on CWAHM Network

Hannah Montana's Cody Linley to appear on The CWAHM Network March 2nd

Listeners to The CWAHM Network Talk Radio Show are in for a real treat this Monday as actor Cody Linley joins them for a special Live broadcast. Linley will share about the new project he is a part of, the Word of Promise-Next Generation CD. Linley plays the role of Jesus in this audio Bible geared for teens and tweens. In addition to Linley, the star-studded cast includes “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, "Bridge to Terabithia's" AnnaSophia Robb, and Disney favorites Corbin Bleu, Alyson Stoner and Emily Osment.

Cody Linley has been in many hit feature films, and appeared often on popular TV shows. Cody shot his first feature film as "Spit" in "My Dog Skip" at eight years old and followed up with Miss Congeniality and Where the Heart Is. He has worked with an impressive group of world-class actors, including Luke Wilson (both in Hoot and My Dog Skip), Steve Martin and Hillary Duff (Cheaper by the Dozen), Kevin Bacon and Frankie Muniz (My Dog Skip), Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman (Where the Heart Is), Sandra Bullock and Benjamin Bratt (Miss Congeniality) and Jonathan Lipnicki and Eric Stoltz (When Zachary Beaver Came to Town). Cody also takes occasional guest starring roles for Disney and appeared in several episodes of "Hannah Montana" as the TV star "Jake Ryan" and has done a guest star appearance on "That's So Raven" as well.

The CWAHM Networking Radio show is produced by Jill Hart, founder of CWAHM.com, a website devoted to Christian work-at-home moms. It is co-hosted by Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, VirtualWordPublishing.com specializing in publicity and marketing. The weekly show was created for all parents who have the desire to work from home. Hart states, "Having Cody Linley on the show is a great way to get moms and kids listening together and interacting. I think it's great to give kids a look at what Christian teens in Hollywood are up to, and how they are standing up for their faith."

Every Tuesday at 11am EST, the live show features Christian entrepreneurs, authors and other inspirational guests. Past guests include Women of Faith's Thelma Wells, self-publishing expert Dan Poynter, organizational expert Marica Ramsland and renown author Allison Bottke. Listeners can tune in LIVE at 11:15 EST, Monday March 2nd or listen to the archive anytime at http://blogtalkradio.com/cwahm