Recruitment for CDC’s National Tobacco Education Campaign

THE CDC IS LOOKING FOR REAL PEOPLE TO APPEAR IN AN AD CAMPAIGN ABOUT THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF SMOKING—Pays $2,500!
Do you have chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or diabetes?
Have you had a heart attack or an asthma attack due to exposure to cigarette smoke?

The CDC is looking for people willing to share their stories about how smoking has changed their lives. We are not looking for actors—we are looking for REAL people. We are seeking people across all ethnic and racial backgrounds, but particularly candidates who are veterans or American Indian/Alaska Natives—ideally age 55 or younger. All applicants must have been tobacco-free for at least 6 months.  We are specifically seeking individuals:

• Who have suffered a heart attack due to exposure to secondhand smoke (age 55 or younger)
• Who have symptomatic COPD, including chronic bronchitis or emphysema (i.e., marked by restriction in activities or home oxygen), due to their own smoking (ages 30 through 50)
• Who have diabetes (either Type I or Type II) and who’ve suffered health problems as a result of their continued smoking; this could include amputation of limbs, kidney failure, vision impairment, or blindness (age 55 or younger)
• Who have had a serious asthma attack triggered by exposure to secondhand smoke (ages 18 through 30)
• Who have used proven strategies to successfully quit smoking (such as setting a quit date, working with their health care provider, removing ashtrays and cigarettes from their environment, or using an approved medication) and have a compelling story to tell about how they quit (age 50 or younger)

In order to qualify, participants must have been tobacco-free for at least 6 months, be able to travel for filming in October 2012, and be willing to have a doctor sign a legal statement saying tobacco caused and/or contributed to their health condition. Please see the attached recruitment flyer for additional information regarding qualifications. The compensation for participating in this campaign is $2,500 as well as paid travel expenses.

We really appreciate your assistance in this endeavor. Should you have any questions or concerns related to the campaign, please contact Kari Sapsis, Campaign Development Team Lead, at ksapsis@cdc.gov. For questions about the recruitment process and to recommend good candidates for the campaign, please call or email one of the following representatives from Mimi Webb Miller Casting, a national casting and research company.

Mimi Webb Miller                               Leslie Rhoades

mwmcasting@yahoo.com allrhoadescasting@yahoo.com

(310) 452-0863                                   (310) 968-6409