HONG KONG, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Punch Detox, Asia's and Hong Kong's first juice cleanse company, celebrated its 5th anniversary in Hong Kong by bringing one of their inspiring role models and a global juice advocate, Joe Cross, from the US to speak to Punch Detox friends and supporters and show a private viewing of his new film, "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2". Over 80 people attended the movie premiere and Q&A session with Joe at AMC Pacific Place on April 15th, 2015, including Rosemary Vandenbroucke, Janet Ma, Kayla Wong, Fiona Yuen, Joyce Lee, Ana Rivera and David Yeung.
The evening began with opening remarks by emcee Robyn Lamsam, a former Olympic swimmer and Punch Detox supporter, followed by the film screening and a Q&A session with filmmaker Joe Cross.
"When Ann and I first brought juicing to Asia and started Punch Detox, we were determined to help people in Hong Kong live healthier lives," said Angela Cheng Matsuzawa, Founder of Punch Detox. "We are so thankful to all of our supporters for helping us do just that, five years on. We've taken huge steps in Hong Kong, and now even in Singapore, and are constantly inspired by your positive feedback."
"One of our earliest sources of inspiration came in the form of Joe Cross, our good friend and global health and juicing advocate, who showed us how juicing literally turned his life around, and how anyone can do it with the right mindset and the right diet," said Ann Cha, Founder of Punch Detox. "Five years later, we're so thrilled to have Joe here in Hong Kong to celebrate with us and share his inspiring story with people in Hong Kong."
"Punch Detox, Angela and Ann have made an incredible impact in Asia by bringing the concept of cold-pressed juices to this market," said Joe Cross, "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2" filmmaker. "I've known them for many years, and having had my health turn around 360 degrees since I began juicing, I really commend them for the way they have created nutritious programs that actually help people get on track with their health."
Punch Detox was the first to introduce juice cleanses in Asia and was founded by two health-conscious Hong Kong moms, Angela Cheng Matsuzawa and Ann Cha. Having just had children, combined with work, stress, and bad eating habits, Angela and Ann decided it was time to make a change. They embarked on a 10-day detox program which changed their lives -- and they had to share. Punch Detox was born, providing Hong Kong with the best juice cleanse programs using delicious, cold-pressed and unpasteurized juices.
Since opening in Hong Kong, they have also opened their brand in Singapore in 2014 and have provided over 10,000 juice cleanses to people across Asia-Pacific. Their business has grown by 40% annually, and they have expanded their offerings to include longer cleanses, more advanced cleanses, and customized juices.
Joe Cross' film, "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2" is a sequel to the first film ("Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead") that chronicled his life as a 310-pound man stricken with an autoimmune disease and his journey to regain his personal health -- armed with just a juicer. Since then, over 20 million people have seen the film, and in this debut of his sequel, Joe Cross sets out to learn how to be healthy in an unhealthy world, speaking to world-class surgeons and office workers in Kenya alike about their quests for health.
"Eight years ago, I was 100 pounds overweight, had a debilitating autoimmune disease, and was on my way to an early grave. Juicing literally saved me; I took control of my life by taking control of my diet," said Joe Cross, "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2" filmmaker. "But even having lost weight and gone medication-free, I still found it an ongoing struggle to keep the weight off -- and I wasn't alone. I realized there was still a lot we can learn about becoming healthy and staying that way, so I set out to capture and share that through Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2."
100% of ticket proceeds was donated to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital Foundation (HKAHF), one of Punch Detox's charity partners they have been working with since 2010.
In addition to Punch Detox's work with HKAHF, Punch Detox has given back to the community in other ways. It developed 100% biodegradable bottles to reduce its carbon footprint wherever possible. It hires local women in Aberdeen, allowing them the flexibility to work part time while being full time moms. And since its early days in 2010, Punch Detox partnered with a charitable program called Table For Two, donating a meal to an undernourished child for every juice purchased. To date, they've donated over 71,000 meals.
