NBA Star and Hip Hop Doc take a shot at giving the "Power to End Stroke"

During May, American Stroke Month, Former NBA Player Kenny Smith Joins the American Heart/American Stroke Association to Get People Moving with Free Music Downloads

INTERVIEWS WITH: Dr. Rani Whitfield aka ìTHA HIP HOP DOCî & Former NBA Star and TNT Sports Analyst Kenny Smith
FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2009 X:00 AM-X:00 PM ET

More than 100,000 African Americans have a stroke every year and are almost twice as likely to have a stroke compared to Caucasians. But, stroke is not inevitable. And, a stroke doesnít have to be debilitating or deadly.

In interviews on May 15th, ìTha Hip Hop Docî Dr. Rani Whitfield ñ who rose to fame putting health messages to a hip hop beat ñ and former NBA star Kenny Smith ñ who played for the Houston Rockets and is currently a sports analyst on TNTís Inside the NBA ñ will talk to your viewers about what they can do to prevent stroke or help someone who shows symptoms:

• Know the risks and how to address them: find out whether you have high blood pressure and diabetes ñ tips for working with your doctor to eliminate or manage your risks
• Things you can do to prevent stroke: from eating healthy to scheduling regular doctor visits
• Knowing the warning signs: prompt medical attention is the best way to avoid the profound effects of stroke. Learn what to look for so that if you or someone you love shows symptoms, you can call 9-1-1.

Because many people donít know what to look for or what the risks are, the American Stroke Association initiated the Power to End Stroke campaign. Visit www.powertoendstroke.org for important information, tools for preventing and overcoming stroke, and, now, a free music download, while supplies last, to help you get moving and incorporate the recommended 30-minutes of physical activity a day.

Dr. Rani Whitfield will talk about preventative measures, recognizing stroke, and how the Power to End Stroke campaign will reach African Americans with information and tools. Kenny Smith will let your viewers in on his personal experiences and his commitment to health and this important cause.

ABOUT THE TALENT: Dr. Rani Whitfield returned to his hometown of Baton Rouge after graduating medical school and offered his services to community, most notably becoming team doctor at Baton Rouge High School. When the kids heard him playing some old-school hip hop, they dubbed him Tha Hip Hop Doc. Dr. Whitfield took the cue and made good use of his newfound fame, engaging in a twelve-month campaign, five days a week during the evening drive on WEMX Max 94.1 FM, aptly titled the ìHip Hop Medical Momentî highlighting topics that affect the Black community. He is currently developing the Hip Hop Healthy Coalition, which merges his three favorite pastimes: music, medicine and sports for the good of the community. Kenny Smith has just begun his 11th season as co-host of the Emmy Award winning Inside the NBA on TNT and can be read daily (during the basketball season) as a columnist on Yahoo! Sports. A philanthropist at heart, Smith hosts several basketball clinics, tournaments and holiday events throughout the year, while providing goods, services and financial resources for the disadvantaged. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 1987 and ultimately made his home in Houston for five seasons as with the Rockets capturing the 1994 and 1995 World Championships.

This interview is brought to you by the American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association.

Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership, is a national sponsor of Power to End Stroke.