Health & Fitness News & Notes
By Stephanie Kist
A Piece in Time joins QuiltPink
Day
NEW FRANKLIN — On Sept. 30, local quilting enthusiasts will come together for the first-ever Quilt Pink Day, a fund-raising event to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Hosting the event locally will be A Piece in Time, a quilt shop at 5676 Manchester Road.
During September, quilters across the nation will make pink-and-white quilt blocks, then come together at their local quilt shops Sept. 30 to assemble those blocks into quilts.
The shops will send their finished quilts to Better Homes and Gardens American Patchwork & Quilting magazine for an online auction slated for May 2007. Net proceeds from the auction will be presented to the Komen Foundation the following October to fund breast cancer research and community outreach programs.
Sandy Heminger, owner of A Piece In Time, sees Quilt Pink Day as much more than just another fund-raiser.
“Over the 23 years that we have been in business, we have had many friends and customers who have battled breast cancer,” she said. “Quilt Pink Day is a great way for quilters to come together to cheer on those who are fighting the battle of breast cancer, to offer support and to celebrate the lives of our dear friends and family who have courageously gone on.”
Quilt block kits containing fabric and a block pattern may be purchased for a $5 donation at A Piece in Time anytime this month. Help will be available for beginners.
Peg Bingham, a local quilt designer and representative from the Komen Foundation, will participate at A Piece in Time Sept. 30 with information as well as door prizes.
To sign up for Quilt Pink Day or for details about the local event, call (330) 882-9626, visit the store or go online to www.apieceintime. com. Quilt Pink Day information is also available at www.quiltpink.com.
Program boosts spirits
GREATER AKRON — The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers a Look Good Feel Better program to help women undergoing cancer treatment take care of their outside appearances, too.
Al Stabilito, ACS Northeast Ohio public relations director, also noted free wigs are available for women with cancer.
“We have partnered with four respected health systems to provide free wigs for women in the area who are undergoing cancer treatment and experience hair loss,” he said. “Our partnership gives women places to turn when they need help.”
Locally, free wigs are available at the Summa Health Center at Green, Stewart’s Caring Place in Fairlawn and Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital.
Women who need a free wig should contact one of the four locations to schedule an appointment.
Summa Health Center at Green can be reached at (330) 899-5500, Stewart’s Caring Place at (330) 836-1772 and Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital at (330) 971-7000.
The ACS also encourages any woman who is undergoing cancer treatment to take advantage of the Look Good Feel Better program. This program deals with loss of hair and offers various beauty techniques.
“We offer free services to all cancer patients,” Stabilito added. “This cosmetology program is useful and helps a woman with her appearance and self-esteem.”
Trained cosmetologists provide a one-on-one demonstration during the two-hour class.
Women interested in attending an upcoming Look Good Feel Better session should call the ACS at (800) ACS-2345 or visit the Web site at www.cancer.org. Registration is required.
League probes childhood obesity
epidemic
WEST AKRON — “Childhood Obesity: The Scope, the Ramifications, the Remedies” will be the focus of a panel discussion offered by the League of Women Voters Akron Area (LWVAA) Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at the American Red Cross, Summit County Chapter, 501 W. Market St. The event is free and open to the public.
A panel of experts will examine the dimensions of the problem of childhood obesity and discuss various solutions. The panel will include Elaine Brown, nutrition specialist for the Akron-Summit Community Action Head Start; Laura Kepler, child nutrition specialist for Akron Public Schools; Donna Skoda, director of community health systems for the Summit County Health Department; and Iris Meltzer, administrative director of Adolescent Services at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Presented by LWVAA’s Health Care Committee, the discussion will be preceded by refreshments at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call committee Chairperson Ann Duff at (330) 644-7265.
Free conference set for
childhood cancer survivors
BATH — “Beyond the Cure,” a free conference for childhood cancer survivors and their families, will take place Sept. 30 from 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Akron General Health & Wellness Center — West, 4125 Medina Road.
The conference will address the possible late medical effects of childhood cancer, making the transition from treatment to life after cancer, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and spirituality. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Melissa Hudson, of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, who will present “Staying Healthy After Childhood Cancer.”
In the afternoon, there will be special sessions for cancer survivors 14 and older, parents and school personnel. Health-care professionals are welcome to attend. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.
“Beyond the Cure” is sponsored by Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Medical Center and Summa Health System, in conjunction with the National Children’s Cancer Society.
To register or for more information, call (330) 543-3343.
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