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The American Social Health Association News

Beating to the Drum of Safe Sex

NEW YORK, Feb. 7 PRNewswire — The American Social Health Association (ASHA) recognizes National Condom Week as February 10-16, 2008, reminding the public that safer sex practices have never been more critical. Despite hundreds of millions of tax dollars spent on abstinence-only education programs, each year in the United States there are approximately 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections — about half of which occur among youth ages 15-24. (Source: ASHA)

In honor of National Condom Week, Marky Ramone has unveiled a signature series of safer sex kits as a means to reach sexually active youth and adults in a cool, hip way — getting the message out about safer sex practices through the power of music and pop culture.

Each kit contains two Lifestyles(R) condoms, lubricant, and an STD resource card — packaged inside a discreet metal tin with Marky Ramone emblem printed on the front with a tagline that says "Too Tuff To Break". The kit was produced in partnership with Minneapolis-based organization Ready two Go.

"The world has lost too many people to STD's of all types and that is why I joined up with Ready two Go for my signature series of safer sex tins," says Marky Ramone.

"We knew we needed a strong voice to help us get the message out about safe sex," says Brad Hanson, founder and CEO of Ready two Go. "After we had the opportunity to meet with Marky Ramone and truly understand why he wanted to have a safer sex kit, we knew that we all had one common voice — to spread the love and contain STD's."

The product can be found online at readytwogo.net.

ABOUT MARKY RAMONE

Marky Ramone — the most visible drummer of the Ramones because of his 15-year involvement.

In 1978, the Ramones brought drummer Marc Bell on board as Marky Ramone. After recording two hard rock albums with the band Dust, Marky got into the punk scene in the early 70s. For a short while he played drums for Wayne County and then Richard Hell & the Voidoids who recorded the "Blank Generation." In 1978, after two years with the Voidoids, Marky left the band to join the Ramones. His tenure with the Ramones spanned a total of 15 years. He recorded 10 studio albums and played 1,700 shows. Marky has received the MTV Lifetime Achievement award and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is the Executive Producer of "Ramones Raw," the definitive Ramones DVD which has gone Gold in three countries and Billboard Top 5 in music DVD sales. He has been a guest character on the Simpsons and stared in the cult classic Rock and Roll High School. He has also recorded with legendary producer, Phil Spector, and recorded with Joey Ramone on his solo album before he passed away. Marky shows no signs of slowing down, while continuing to tour around the world with his band and as a guest DJ at select venues. He currently has a show, "Marky Ramone's Punk Rock Blitzkrieg" on Sirius Satellite radio.

ABOUT READY TWO GO

Ready two Go, established in 2006, is a mission-based organization built on the single goal of preventing HIV and other STD's. The company developed a line of stylish and discreet safer sex tins and continues to innovate new designs to keep up with trendsetters worldwide. Ready two Go makes it easy to be spontaneous and safe every time. The company's mission is to promote safe sex by providing cost-effective tools that are discreet, convenient and fun. The company's executives are available for educational engagements, to speak on the importance of safe sex practices. Ready two Go also supports organizations that promote social change through philanthropic efforts. The products are distributed through wholesale accounts, hotels, mass retail, non-profit strategic alliances and on the internet through its website, readytwogo.net.

** PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST **

SOURCE The American Social Health Association