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GIA 2002 Awards for Excellence Winner

The Shoestring Award - Public Relations

article on Mercury-Free Philly Campaign in Philadelphia newspaper

Phyllis M. Fisher and Jeffrey Adam Baxt

Phyllis M. Fisher, Director of Public Relaitons and Jeffrey Adam Baxt, Media Relations Representative

Jefferson Health System--Department of Public Relations

Mercury Round-Up Kick-Off to a Mercury-Free Philly Campaign

In 2001 the Jefferson Health System (JHS), in partnership with Health Care Without Harm and Women's Health and Environment Network, sponsored "Mercury Round-Up." This program offered a mercury thermometer exchange and raised awareness about the health hazards related to mercury and mercury-containing products. As all funds were used to purchase digital thermometers for the exchange, all other aspects of the campaign used donated services.

Goals:

Seek out donated services
Educate the public and staff at the 17 JHS hospitals about the environmental effort
Collect mercury-filled thermometers and materials and dispose of them safely

Results:

Area and state businesses donated their time and materials to the campaign
A world record was set for the number of thermometers exchanged in a single round-up project (3,843)
Press and media coverage included NPR, and local NBC, ABC, and FOX affiliates
Women's Health and Environment Network received a grant from the William Penn Foundation to continue to expand the initiative in the Philadelphia region

Contact:
Phyllis M. Fisher, Director of Public Relations
phyllis.fisher@mail.tju.edu