Sundance Channel's Docu-Series PUSH GIRLS to Promote DUI Awareness

Sundance Channel, Seventeen magazine and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) have partnered on a pro-social campaign geared at raising awareness about the dual dangers of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or riding with someone who is. The initiative is tied to Sundance Channel's new original docu-series, PUSH GIRLS premiering Tuesday, June 5th, with a sneak peek airing tonight, April 17th. The 14-part series traces the lives of four dynamic, outspoken and beautiful women living in Hollywood who, by accident or illness, have been paralyzed from the neck or the waist down. The campaign includes an online pledge, live today on facebook.com/seventeenmagazine and sundancechannel.com, a PSA, which will air on Sundance Channel and seventeen.com and a feature in Seventeen's May issue, on newsstands now.

Nineteen year-old Chelsie Hill, a featured character on "Push Girls," was paralyzed during high school, the result of a drunk-driving crash. Hill has since made it her personal mission to share her story with other teenagers in an effort to prevent future tragedies. The May issue of Seventeen features a profile of Hill, who describes the crash that changed her life and her experience of adjusting to a new reality. Seventeen recently accompanied Hill to a SADD chapter meeting at Tustin High School in California, which was documented for an upcoming episode of "Push Girls" and will be highlighted on Seventeen.com, along with a Q&A with Hill and links to the pledge, which asks users to party safely on prom night. SADD's national network will promote the pledge via their websites, in their SADDvocate newsletter and via social media.

The Sundance Channel-produced PSA featuring Hill and Seventeen editor-in-chief Ann Shoket will debut on Seventeen.com and sundancechannel.com today, and will air on Sundance Channel during the run of the series.

Sarah Barnett, Sundance Channel General Manager, stated, "We're pleased to partner with SADD and Seventeen on this important issue and to help promote students making healthier, safer choices in their lives. Our 'Push Girls' live with the ramifications of destructive decisions - particularly drunk driving. While the series captures their daily challenges, it's the personal triumphs, humor and boldness of these women that shatters all expectations of what it's like to live life in a wheelchair."

"Teens have the world of opportunities open to them, but they may not have the experience to recognize risks from dangerous behaviors like underage drinking and riding with an impaired driver," said Penny Wells, SADD's executive director. "This is where friends can help - by speaking up and watching out for their friends. Chelsie delivers this message as a peer and SADD is proud to be a part of this project."

"This pledge is a promise we're asking our readers to make to themselves, to make smart decisions and encourage their friends to do the same," said Ann Shoket, Editor in Chief of Seventeen. "I am personally so inspired by Chelsie and the work she does to educate teens - I know our readers will be awed by her upbeat, positive, 'nothing can stop me' attitude."

"Push Girls" premieres Tuesday, June 5th at 10 pm et/pt on Sundance Channel and will air a special sneak peak on April 17th at 10pm et/pt. The sneak peak will also be available on Hulu and iTunes.

About Sundance Channel

Sundance Channel is the destination for What's Next, Now. Showcasing both today's creative icons and the emerging talent of tomorrow, Sundance Channel tells credible, authentic, and emotionally immersive stories of Invention, Fashion, Film, Travel, Design, and Enterprise. Launched in 1996 and owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., Sundance Channel provides perspectives dedicated to founder Robert Redford's mission to celebrate creativity. For more information, please visit:sundancechannel.com

About Seventeen Magazine

Seventeen (www.seventeen.com) is the best-selling monthly teen magazine, reaching more than 13 million readers every month. In each issue, Seventeen reports on the latest in fashion, beauty, health and entertainment, as well as information and advice on the complex real-life issues that young women face every day. Readers can interact with the brand on the digital front, with the Seventeen Ultimate Fashion Flipbook iphone app as well as with the monthly edition of the magazine on the iPad. In addition to its U.S. flagship, Seventeen publishes 13 editions around the world. Seventeen is published by Hearst Magazines, one of the nation's largest diversified communications companies. With its acquisition of Lagard?re SCA's 100 titles in 14 countries outside of France, Hearst Magazines now publishes more than 300 editions around the world, including 20 U.S. titles. Hearst Magazines is a leading publisher of monthly magazines in the U.S. in terms of total circulation and reaches 87 million adults (Spring 2011 MRI). Follow Seventeen on Twitter at @seventeenmag.

About SADD

SADD, the nation's leading peer-to-peer youth education, prevention, and activism organization, is committed to empowering young people to lead initiatives in their schools and communities. Founded in 1981, today SADD has thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. SADD highlights prevention of many destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, other drug use, risky and impaired driving, and teen violence and suicide. To become a Friend of SADD or for more information, visit sadd.org, parentteenmatters.org or follow SADD on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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