"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Exodus 15:2

Health Campaigns

... Breast Cancer Awareness Month
If you have been in downtown Gardner this month, you should have noticed the pink bows hanging on the light posts. These were put there in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Every three minutes, a woman in the United Sates learns she has breast cancer; that means 4,700 women right here in Massachusetts. The breast cancer rate has risen; however, the death rate has remained the same. This tells us that awareness and early detection is working to save lives.

Wear your pink bows this month and when asked about them, remind women and men (who can also get breast cancer) that early detection works.

... Child Health Month
The children have received information about hand washing in Sunday School.  Please review it with them.

A calendar of tips for children's health is available if you didn't receive one with this newsletter or would like another copy.

If your child wears a backpack, check out the Health Ministry Board for safety concerns and precautions.

Health Tips

Common cold season
Remember that the season for common colds is upon us. One of the most frequent ways to transmit the cold virus is to shake hands with someone who has a cold and then touch your face or rub your eyes.

The best prevention is hand washing. Before you wash your hands, read the instructions on the wall in our bathrooms. Remember to turn off the contaminated faucet with a paper towel.

You DON'T get colds from being in the cold, having wet feet or going out with your hair wet. Those are myths! You get colds from germs. Remember to smile and say "I have a cold" at greeting time in church, instead of giving a handshake. Share our smiles and keep our colds!

Flu shots save lives
Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease that affects millions of people every winter. Symptoms include fever, achiness, fatigue, sore throat and congestion. Most people will recover in a few days, but it can lead to pneumonia and other serious complications. Every year, approximately 36,000 Americans die from flu and 114,000 are hospitalized.

Who should receive the flu shot? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following;
- Adults age 50 or older
- Adults and children with chronic lung, kidney or heart disease.
- Adults and children whose immune systems are compromised
- Women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during the flu season, November to April

There is a new flu vaccine in a spray, but it currently is an option only for healthy people ages 5-49.

Flu clinic information is posted on the bulletin board in the lobby. Remember, Medicare will pay for the shot.

Healthy eating
- Restrict fat.
- Eat enough fiber (whole grain cereals, breads, veggies & fruit).
- Eat foods rich in Vitamin C (Citrus fruits, tomatoes, raw or lightly cooked green vegetables). Remember: 5 fruits/veggies per day.
- Eat more cabbage family vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts), restrict salt-cured, smoked and nitrite cured foods.
- Avoid/restrict alcoholic beverages.

Other Health-related News

Prescription Information
If you need help cutting costs for prescription drugs, read the seven ways to do this in the article on the Health Ministry Board. If you would like a copy, please ask Paula.

Volunteers Needed
Heywood Hospital is feeling the crunch with the economic situation. They rely on volunteers for some of the services within the hospital. If you have a few hours a week to volunteer, call Sue Deacon at 978-630-6572.