Nordstrom Announces 2011 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Initiative

Company helps raise awareness and funds for hepatitis B testing and prevention

SEATTLE, May 2, 2011
PRNewswire

Nordstrom, Inc. announced today that it is recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 2011 by teaming up with Hep B Free and OCA to help raise awareness of the importance of getting tested for hepatitis B—the leading cause of liver cancer and one of the greatest health disparities facing the Asian Pacific American community.

According to Hep B Free, one in 10 Asian Americans is chronically infected with hepatitis B versus one in 1,000 of the general population. Early detection is important, and the hepatitis B vaccine can prevent hepatitis B infection and the consequences of infection. As part of its 2011 "Living Well" initiative, Nordstrom is giving people an easy way to learn more about hepatitis B testing and prevention.

"Through our Heritage Month efforts, we are proud that we're able to recognize and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our employees and our customers," said Amelia Ransom Letcher, vice president of Diversity Affairs at Nordstrom. "We're also extremely grateful to be partnering with Hep B Free and OCA, two fantastic organizations that are doing great things to educate people—specifically those within the Asian Pacific American community—about hepatitis B and find solutions for treatment and prevention."

A new website, www.nordstrom.com/apahm, provides an opportunity for visitors to take action and learn more about hepatitis B. For every person who completes a hepatitis B awareness quiz in May via www.nordstrom.com/apahm, Nordstrom will make a $35 donation to Hep B Free, up to $75,000. Nordstrom is also spreading the word about the initiative via signs in its stores, its catalogs and by sharing information with its Twitter and Facebook followers.

"OCA is pleased to partner with Nordstrom and Hep B Free to raise awareness around hepatitis B," said OCA National President Ken Lee. "This is a heightened problem in the Asian Pacific American community and it is important that we work together to increase visibility and educate everyone about this disease."

"This is the first time we've partnered with a national retailer on a nationally coordinated awareness effort with the Asian American community to help end Hep B disease and liver cancer. We applaud Nordstrom's support and partnership for this pressing health issue," said Ted Fang, Director, AsianWeek Foundation and co-founder of San Francisco Hep B Free. "We encourage everyone to take the short quiz to learn more about hepatitis B and join our efforts to make America Hep B Free."

For more information about Nordstrom's recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and other heritage months throughout 2011, please visit www.nordstrom.com/livingwell.

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