Health & Fitness News & Notes
By Stephanie Kist
Look Good Feel Better 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 Stewart’s Caring Place in Fairlawn, the Summa Health Center at Green and Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital.
Women who need a free wig should contact one of the four locations to schedule an appointment.
Stewart’s Caring Place can be reached at (330) 836-1772, Summa Health Center at Green at (330) 899-5500 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.can cer.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.
OAFPF announces
philanthropists of year
WEST AKRON — The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians Foundation (OAFPF) has named Dr. Ross and Linda Black, of West Akron, as the recipients of its 2006 Philanthropists of the Year award.
Dr. Linda Stone, who nominated the Blacks, said, “The OAFP Foundation has been but one of the many beneficiaries of the generosity of Ross and Linda Black. They are known in their community as advocates for community health and have received many awards, including the Bath Church United Church of Christ Long Term Service Award and the Summa Health System Family Physician of the Year Award.”
Ross Black accepted the honor at this year’s OAFPF recognition ceremony Aug. 11 in Dublin.
Upon receipt of the award, Black said, “Linda and I are proud to accept this honor from our friends within the family of family medicine. Our giving is in response and thanks to those who gave of themselves to us over the years. We hope all family physicians will continue to ask what they can do for their patients and for their specialty.”
Black graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 1973. He has provided leadership in many areas of the AAFP and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians, including his term as president in 1992-93. Black served the OAFPF Board as trustee and AAFP Foundation liaison.
Black has practiced family medicine in Cuyahoga Falls for more than 17 years and also serves as a clinical professor of family medicine at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine.
Local dentist contributes
to children’s charities
FAIRLAWN — For the second consecutive year, Dr. Robert Smith is helping children in need.
This spring and summer, as part of the Crown Council’s Smiles for Life campaign, Smith offered teeth whitening services at a significantly reduced price and donated 100 percent of the proceeds to help children facing serious health and educational problems.
During the four-month campaign, Smith raised $10,375. Half of the funds were contributed to the Garth Brooks’ Teammates for Kids Foundation for use in health, education and inner city programs benefiting children. The other half was contributed to Akron Children’s Hospital for use in this area.
“We had a great campaign this year and would like to thank everyone in the community who came out and helped to make it a success by purchasing whitening services during our campaign,” said Smith.
The Smiles for Life Foundation is the children’s charity organization of the Crown Council, an organization of dentists in North America. The foundation has raised more than $20 million since 1998, benefiting more than 500 children’s charities across North America.
For details, visit www.smilesforlife.org.
Smith can be reached at (330) 666-7800.
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