For the state of Indiana, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life season is wrapping up, having hosted more than 130 events around the state, raising more than $8 million dollars. Money raised is making a real impact.
“Many people are familiar with the life-saving cancer research efforts of the American Cancer Society, which includes more than $5 million invested in research grants right here in Indiana and millions more across the country. However, few are aware of the full scope of free services available,” said Vicki Elliff, American Cancer Society health initiatives director for Indiana. “These services can be obtained through one easy call to the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345.”
When an individual calls the American Cancer Society they will be connected to a live cancer information specialist. These specialists, who staff the phone lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week, are specially trained to listen to and identify the needs of cancer patients and their caregivers, then match them with services or resources to meet their needs.
More about the services:
• One of the more popular services is the Personal Health Manager kit. This free toolkit is designed to help patients organize all the paperwork and information they acquire as they go through treatment. The American Cancer Society also offers additional educational opportunities like the I Can Cope series. The educational series, held both in-person and online (available 24/7), covers topics as varied as pain management, finance, health insurance and stress relief.
• Road to Recovery is also an in-demand service that can be obtained with one phone call to (800) 227-2345. This program provides free transportation for a patient to and from cancer-related appointments. The American Cancer Society offers this free transportation program because many cancer patients, for all kinds of reasons, aren’t able to find consistent or dependable transportation to their appointments, keeping them from getting the life-saving treatment they need.
“Some patients don’t have a car, can’t afford the gas, or have friends and family that live far away and can’t help out,” Elliff said. “Road to Recovery matches each patient with a volunteer driver in their area who comes to their house, takes them to their appointments, and gets them back safely. It’s convenient and totally free.”
• Look Good … Feel Better, one of the American Cancer Society’s more popular programs among women, allows female cancer patients to connect through appearance tools and tips – not to mention a healthy dose of pampering.
“Women who battle with cancer fight more than just the disease,” Elliff said. “Many women feel a loss of identity from the side effects of cancer treatments, such as hair loss or skin issues. Look Good … Feel Better gives the women a chance to feel like they do ‘normally’ again.”
Look Good … Feel Better is run by volunteer facilitators who are licensed cosmetologists familiar with the appearance-related issues that a female cancer patient may face. In each session, these cosmetologists provide women with hair, makeup and skin care tips, including showing options for dealing with hair loss, such as how to wrap a bandana or scarf, wear a wig, or use accessories to manage their side effects such as hair loss or thinning. Each woman leaves the session with a free goodie bag of makeup, donated by major manufacturers, to help maintain her new look.
“We have more than 70,000 resources available for patients whatever their needs might be, no matter how big or small, we always try to help,” Elliff said. “Even if a person is just lonely or scared and needs to talk, we’re here. We are dedicated to serving the needs of cancer patients. Our entire structure revolves around serving them.”
For more information about the free programs and services, please call 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org. Also, it’s not too late to support the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life events. Donations can be made by finding a local Relay For Life event website at www.INrelayforlife.org or by calling 800-227-2345.
Health & Fitness
Relay funds provide services
- Health & Fitness
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Skin cancer is next Dine with a Doc topic
Another free Dine with a Doc lunch event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 22 at the Wabash Senior Citizen’s Center, 300 S. Fifth St.
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Support Groups: May 15, 2013
Cancer Friendship Group, featuring a journaling workshop with therapeutic writer Nia Klein, 10 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, conference room B, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center; 217-465-2606, ext. 290.
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Protect yourself from skin cancer
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Monday was designated as Melanoma Monday to help raise awareness of melanoma and other skin cancers. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and affects more people than lung, breast, colon and prostate cancers combined.
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Paris Hospital Volunteers' chocolate sale is May 23-24
The Paris Community Hospital Volunteers will sponsor a South Bend Chocolate Company sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 23 and 24 near the FMC rotunda entrance.
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Stay safe during flooding with tips
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States. Floods can develop over the course of a few weeks or happen quickly.
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Support groups: May 8, 2013
Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors Inc.,
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Journal writing workshop coming up at Paris hospital
Therapeutic writer Nia Klein will conduct a journal writing workshop at the Cancer Friendship Group meeting at 10 a.m. May 21 in conference room B at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center.
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Church to sponsor blood drive
Trinity Lutheran Church is sponsoring a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. on Monday in Fellowship Hall at the church, 2620 Ohio Blvd.
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Walk to bring hope to bereaved families, awareness
Compassionate Friends of the Wabash Valley are sponsoring a “Walk to Remember,” to support families after a child dies, from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 18 at Larrison Pavilion in Deming Park.
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Dine with a Doc to feature ISU professor
A free Dine with a Doc event, featuring Lisa Borrero Ph.D., is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday at Providence Housing Corp. All Place in West Terre Haute.
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Free Vial of Life kits available in Paris
In recognition of National Hospital Week in May, Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center will provide free Vial of Life kits to the community.
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Free Zumba Gold presentation offered
The Maple Center for Integrative Health and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute offer a free presentation on Zumba Gold by Cathleen Drobny from 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 1 in Westminster Village at 1120 East Davis Drive.
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Senior Menu: April 24, 2013
Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at all senior citizens dining sites in Vigo, Clay, Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan and Putnam counties.
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Child Passenger Safety Tech course coming up
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certification course for child passenger safety will be conducted from 8 AM to 5 PM on May 2, 3, 10, and 11.
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Health briefs: April 24, 2013
‘Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Late Stage’ presentation set for May
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Crawford County Triathlon slated for May 25
Lincoln Trail College and Ecton Hardware are hosting the Crawford County Triathlon on May 25 at the college.
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April 26 sharing session to be therapeutic for Parkinson’s patients
Strength in numbers.
That concept underlies the theme of a gathering Friday, April 26 in Westminster Village. People afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, and friends and family who care for those ailing folks, will share their stories of their struggles and successes with the progressive disorder that touches more than 1 million American lives. -
Get a hair cut and health screenings all in one stop
Visiting the barber shop today could mean more than just getting a haircut; it might save your life.
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Dine with a Doc to feature Dr. Roland Kohr
Another Dine with a Doc event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Providence Housing Corporation All Place, 219 North Providence Place, West Terre Haute.
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Hunter education course scheduled this weekend
An Indiana Hunter Education Course is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Good Hope Baptist Church, 440 W. County Road 850 S., in Clay City.
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Hospice hosting ‘Run and Remember’ fundraiser
Hospice of the Wabash Valley will be hosting a “Run and Remember” fundraising event at 11 a.m. Saturday at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
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Disability Awareness Month events planned
Bridges of Indiana has planned two events in March to celebrate Disability Awareness Month.
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Newsmaker: Feb. 20, 2013
Plastic Surgery Practice has announced its new Editorial Advisory Board for 2013. The 12-member board includes several past members and many new names.
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Study: Family mealtime can improve kids’ health
When low-income families devote three to four extra minutes to regular family mealtimes, their children’s ability to achieve and maintain a normal weight improves measurably, according to a new University of Illinois study.
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Zumba for Kid Kare Project fundraiser on March 2
Zumba with Chelsea Martin, a Kid Kare Project fundraiser, is scheduled 1 to 2 p.m. March 2 in the Community Recreation Center at 301 Blackman St. in Clinton.
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Hip implants a bit more likely to fail in women
Hip replacements are slightly more likely to fail in women than in men, according to one of the largest studies of its kind in U.S. patients.
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Support Groups: Feb. 20, 2013
For more information and/or sites, contact the numbers listed.
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Additional CHIP info session today
The Maple Center for Integrative Health has added an additional CHIP information session before the start of class on March 4.
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Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies workshop set
A free workshop for health care providers, social service professionals and other health advocates, Champions for Smokefree Pregnancies in Terre Haute, is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. March 14 in the Landsbaum Center for Health Education.
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Plans under way for Clark County Biathlon
Plans for the Clark County Spring Break Biathlon 3.1-mile run/15-mile bike plus the 1-mile fun run/walk are under way.
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