Deirdre Imus, wife of radio personality Don Imus, stands in her

own spotlight with her own personal mission: to help prevent

cancer in children—and in the rest of us.

Deirdre ImusStanding Up for Children

and the Environment

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Ms. Imus, of the Deirdre Imus EnvironmentalCenter for Pediatric Oncology at HackensackUniversity Medical Center in New Jersey,believes that the toxins in our environment areto blame for many types of cancer. TheEnvironmental Center’s mission is “to identify,control and ultimately prevent exposures toenvironmental factors that may cause adult,and especially pediatric, cancer, as well as otherhealth problems with our children.”

The Greening of AmericaOne of the goals for the Center is to actively ridhomes, schools, offices, airports and other publicspaces of toxic cleaning products. With thatmission in mind, the Center implemented anaward-winning Greening the Cleaning® programat Hackensack University Medical Center.

Carrying out the initiative requires eliminating (tothe greatest extent possible) everyday cleaningagents containing hazardous ingredients andreplacing them with environmentally-responsible,less toxic products. To that end, the Greeningthe Cleaning® line includes products to cleanglass, carpets and upholstery and laundry, aswell as a hand soap and air freshener. (Whilemost of the products are available only toinstitutions, two are available to the consumermarket at IMUSRanchFoods.com and your localsupermarket.) Since the program began,Hackensack University Medical Center has savedapproximately 15 percent on cleaning bills,dramatically improved their air quality, andreduced the exposure to potentially harmful tox-ins that may cause cancer and other illnesses.

The Center is making significant strides inraising awareness among lawmakers about thepotential hazards of environmental toxins. NewYork Governor George Pataki and former NewJersey Governor Richard J. Codey signed executiveorders requiring all state agencies to begin usingenvironmentally-friendly cleaning products.

“We are a part of Hackensack University MedicalCenter, a 501(c) (3) not for profit corporation. 100%of all profits from our Greening the Cleaning®products goes into research for cancer and otherhealth related issues concerning children.”

“The mission is not to make money, or to makemoney by selling our own products,” Ms. Imus said.“It’s about education and truly making a shift inconsciousness.” She added that educating thepublic about the potential dangers of continuouslyintroducing more and more chemicals, toxins,additives, preservatives and carcinogens intoour lives is critical to creating change.

Gathering KudosAlong with her husband, Don, Deirdre Imus isalso co-founder and co-director of the ImusCattle Ranch for Kids with Cancer, a 4,000acre working cattle ranch in northern NewMexico, which provides the experience of theAmerican cowboy to children suffering fromcancer and various blood diseases, and to thesiblings of children who have been victims ofSudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

For all her efforts, she was the 2005 Winner ofThe Congressional Families Action for CancerAwareness Program’s Congressional Award forCancer Awareness. Participating in the programare more than 110 congressional, administrationand Supreme Court spouses committed toreducing cancer incidence through education andprevention. Other recipients of the award haveincluded Katie Couric, baseball pitcher CurtShilling and former first lady Barbara Bush.

In what was reported to have been an inspiringspeech at the award ceremony (which wasattended by Teresa Heinz, John Kerry and U.S.Representative Harold Ford, Jr. of the NinthDistrict of Tennessee),Ms. Imus focused hertalk on the impact oftoxins in the envi-ronment and thepotential role theyplay in increasingcancer rates.

“Hackensack University Medical Center has saved approximately 15 percent on cleaning bills,

dramatically improved their air quality, andreduced the exposure to potentially harmful

toxins that may cause cancer and other illnesses.”

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“Eighty percent of all cancers are believed toresult from toxins in the environment,” she said.“Toxins are in our food, water, air … in the foods weeat and the products we use—nearly everything.Greater awareness of toxins in the environmentwill cause the public to demand action.”

The PavilionDeirdre Imus also played a significant role in theopening of The Sarkis and Siran GabrellianWomen’s and Children’s Pavilion at HackensackUniversity Medical Center. Opened in Februaryof this year, the Pavilion is built to green per-fection. From the recycled denim insulation tothe natural rubber floors and non-VOC (volatileorganic compounds) emitting paints, adhesivesand sealants, experts agree it is an astoundingaccomplishment (see opposite page). Five yearsof painstaking research and hard work haveresulted in an institution that is set to developa legacy of holistic living for those who visit.

The Pavilion gives the initial impression ofeither a boutique hotel or New York Citygallery. An all-encompassing

glass entranceway opens onto a palette of colorsthat heal and nurture. The restaurant is wrapped inhues of red to induce appetite and the beautifulorange walls of the children’s Intensive Care Unitare mood elevating.

Based on collaboration with parents and patientsthemselves, the Pavilion’s designer Suzen Heeley andresident doctors say they have created the dreamPavilion. Every element of patient care has beenconsidered-down to an organic food menu, communaland kosher kitchens, and room service. Each floorhas separate shower and locker rooms for parents.There are daybeds and plasma TVs in each patientroom, and environmentally-safe children’s toys madefrom formaldehyde-free wood and PVC-free plastic.

“Seeing the whole picture means you have to consider allaspects and make things as simple as possible for thechild,” Ms. Imus said. “To do otherwise would deny partof the whole healing process.”

Yet despite her tireless work, Ms. Imus feels it’s onlythe beginning. “These are all great starts, but they arestarts!” she said. Ms.Imus has turned her sightsforward to the day when all schools, hospitals andcorporations begin to follow suit. She believes thatthe more people learn about the impact of chemi-cals and toxins in every day diet and the environ-ment, the more they will think globally and actpersonally responsible.

As for her personal philosophy that hasdriven her work, Ms. Imussaid it’s important to be true tooneself. “I don’t mean in thesuperficial way,” she said. “Imean, truly examine yourself.

“Eighty percent of all cancers are believed to result from toxins in

the environment...Greater awareness of toxins in the environment

will cause the public to demand action.”

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We are all part of this big pie in the sky and we shouldall be doing our part. So in order to help other people,you need to help yourself first. Exercise, eat well, don’tsmoke, don’t drink, and sleep well. Be true to yourneeds—that’s the magic pill in life.”

To learn more about the Imus Ranch and theDeirdre Imus Environmental Center at

Hackensack University Medical Center, visit www.dienviro.com.

Experts say The Sarkis and Siran Gabrellian Women’sand Children’s Pavilion is one of the greatest achieve-ments in environmentally-responsible constructiontoday. Some of the objectives of the construction, andhow they were achieved, are listed below. Many ofthese recommendations can be adopted in any homeor business environment.

• Cleaner Water: Water at the Pavilion, purified via a sediment filtration system, is used in cookingand food preparation.

• Cleaner Air: The installation of the HVAC systemthroughout the hospital significantly reducesairborne pathogens, and enhances the overallair quality.

• Energy Efficiency: Energy efficient HVAC systemsreduce power consumption.

• Less Volatile Materials: The use of low or non-VOC (volatile organic compounds) emitting materials such as interior paints, finishes, adhesives and sealants maintains healthy indoorair quality and reduces the amount of allergytriggers in the air.

• Greening the Cleaning®: Where possible, all cleaning agents used at the hospital are 100 percent nontoxic and made from naturally-derived ingredients. From the hand soap to thetile cleaner, the products are as effective, if not more effective, than their chemical counterparts.

• Superior Construction Materials: Most of theconstruction materials used are made with recycledcontent and readily renewable resources, including Gypsum drywall and millwork that contains a wheat/strawboard core, eliminating formaldehyde content.

• Roof-top Gardens: Roof gardens provide insulation and shade which contributes positivelyto the Pavilion’s energy savings by reducing heating and cooling costs. The gardens also provide increased habitat for local wildlife.

• PVC Alternatives: Traditional PVC constructedwall protection systems have been replaced withnon-PVC materials.

• Alternative Insulation: Pre-consumer recycleddenim is used for insulation to eliminate irritationto the skin, nose, throat and lungs, commonly associated with traditional fiberglass insulation.

• Light Conservancy: Newly-installed motionsensors reduce power usage by shutting downlights when someone leaves the room. Exteriorlights are fitted with extra light guards to reducelight pollution of the surrounding neighborhood.

• Natural Flooring: The natural rubber flooringused at the Pavilion is free of PVC, heavy metal,halogens, plasticizers, formaldehyde, and asbestos.It is also long-wearing and renewable.

To learn more about the award winning Greening the Cleaning® products or

visit www.dienviro.com.

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