This winter, take charge of your health by attending a Colon Cancer Seminar presented by Geisinger and the NCI Community Cancer Care program. In collaboration with ACTION Health, and in cooperation with the Bloomsburg YMCA’s continuing commitment to community health, you are invited to Healthy Living: Beating Colon Cancer.

This free event will be hosted at the Bloomsburg YMCA at 30 East 7^th Street in Bloomsburg on Tuesday, January 31^st and is open for both members and non-members of the YMCA.  There will be three sessions: 9:30am, 10:30am, and 11:30am in coordination with Silver Sneakers programming.

Approximately 100,000 men and women are diagnosed with colon cancer each year.  Fortunately, it is both preventable and treatable.  At Healthy Living: Beating Colon Cancer, Geisinger genetic counselor Beverly Tenenholz, CGC, and community nurse navigator Cheryl Blewett, RN will be on hand to discuss colon cancer topics including risk factors, lifestyle, prevention, screening, and diagnosis and treatment options.  Attendees will have the chance to estimate their personal risk levels through a genetics assessment as well as take home screening kits, which will be provided free of cost.

We hope to see you at this educational community opportunity to chart your own path towards colon health!

It’s finally time to get your tickets for the third annual Heart to Heart Luncheon hosted by the ACTION Health Task Force. This event, in recognition of Cardiovascular Awareness Month, is happening on Friday, February 10, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Danville Elks Club.

This heart health-inspired lunch and fashion show will feature a keynote address on cardiovascular disease prevention by Dr. Bradley David Fenster, cardiologist practicing with Inter Mountain Medical Group, a delicious heart-healthy lunch, and a Red-themed Fashion Show. There will also be door prize giveaways!

Tickets for the Heart to Heart Luncheon are $20 each for adults and $10 each for children. The adult menu buffet will feature Chicken Florentine, Baked Italian Haddock, Wild Rice Pilaf, Fresh Vegetable Medley, Tossed Garden Salad and Fresh Fruit Salad. The childrens’ menu is to be determined. All proceeds from this event will benefit ACTION Health Task Force programs.

The Red Fashion Show includes a collection of red attire from a variety of local stores.  It is a great way to learn about the terrific small businesses we have in our community.  Local businesses interested in participating in the fashion should contact Kathy Martin, Marketing Director for Orangeville Nursing and Rehab, at 570-594-6142. 

This year’s Luncheon is sponsored by many great local organizations.  These include LIFE Geisinger, Focus Health, Caring Communities, Orangeville Nursing and Rehab, Millville Health Center, Vintage Knolls Senior Living Community, Geisinger Healthsouth, and the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program, Geisinger Medical Center.

Tickets will be on sale until February 3, 2012.  Don’t wait to reserve your seat for this fun community event! All tickets must be purchased in advance and they will sell out quickly! To purchase tickets, call the ACTION Health office at (570) 275-9150 or see any member of the ACTION Health Task Force.  Men, women and children are all welcome at the Heart to Hearth Luncheon, and red attire is recommended in the theme of the event.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Unfortunately, due to low ticket sales, we are cancelling our Fall Foliage & Wine Harvest Bus Tour, scheduled for October 1. If you already purchased tickets, I’ll be sending all checks back this afternoon. Thank you for your interest in this fundraiser and please watch for future events from ACTION Health.

It’s time to get your tickets for the Fall Foliage & Wine Harvest Bus Tour, hosted by the ACTION Health Task Force. This unique fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, October 1 and will feature a day-long bus trip to four wineries located in the Seneca Lake area along with door prizes, trivia games, and a Task Force poster contest.

The bus will depart at 6:45 a.m. from Quality Inn, Danville and is anticipated to return around 8:00 p.m. Upon arrival at Seneca Lake the first stop will be at Three Brothers Winery, which features three wineries and a brewery, followed by Wagner Vineyards, which also features a brewery. Next, the group will travel to Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard and then finish the tour with Chateau LaFayette Renaue, which has 18 wines available for tasting. Guests will be permitted to bring snacks and beverages on the bus and there will be a stop at the Old Country Buffet in Elmira on the trip home.

Tickets are now on sale through the ACTION Health office and may be purchased by calling 570-275-9150. The cost is $45 per person and tickets are available on a first-come, first serve basis. Ticket price does not include tasting fees. Due to the nature of this event, you must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets will be sold until all seats are filled. So, gather your friends, pack your coolers, and join just for a great day on fun, foliage, and great wine!

The ACTION Health Task Force meeting, which was scheduled for Friday, September 9 at 10:00 am at the First Baptist Church in Danville, is CANCELLED due to flooding.

I will notify Task Force members next week about rescheduling it.

Please be safe during this terrible event.

The sun is shining, the weather is warm and the kids are out of school! It’s time for fun in the sun, swimming in the pool and the start of ACTION Health’s Summer Programs!

This year ACTION Health will be offering Summer Safety (Sun and Water), My Pyramid for Kids, and Pet Safety at area day camps, daycares and other community venues.

“This year, we combined the Sun and Water Safety programs because they go hand-in-hand and also because it allows us to offer more programs throughout the summer,” said Allison Clark, executive director of ACTION Health.

The summer program cycle kicks off in June with Summer Safety. The first part of the program focuses on Sun Safety and covers sunburn, the ABCs of Sun Safety, the importance of sunscreen, and Slip-Slap-Slop. The second portion of the Summer Safety program focuses on water safety and includes safe swimming, floating, life jackets, water rescue and safe boating. Demonstrations include floating, the overcrowded boat and properly fitting a life jacket. Participants will receive a multitude of coloring and activity pages as well as sun-safety bracelets.

In July, the focus turns to healthy eating and physical activity with My Pyramid for Kids. “One of our most successful school programs this year was My Pyramid,” explained Clark, “which is why we’ve decided to offer it throughout the summer as well.”

The My Pyramid for Kids program introduced participants to the five major food groups and why it’s important to eat a balanced diet. The program also covers the importance of incorporating physical activity into your lifestyle. This program features two interactive games—The Fruit and Vegetable Game and Physical Activity Charades. Participants will also be given an activity book entitled “Less TV, More Activity,” to promote physical activity throughout the summer.

A fun, educational program about safety around pets and animals will round out the summer programs. “Animals are cute and kids are often attracted to them,” explained Coni Marie Sheridan, AmeriCorps volunteer serving with ACTION Health. “Unfortunately, animals are also unpredictable and carry diseases, which is why we feel it’s important to educate kids on being safe around them.”

The Pet Safety program features safety around dogs and includes information about the Pennsylvania Dog Bite Law. Participants will also play the Happy Dog/Sad Dog game which teaches them to recognize the difference between a happy, sad, playful and angry dog based on body language.

Along with dogs, the Pet Safety program also discusses safety around cats and the prevention of cat scratch disease. “One thing we focus on with the cats is cat scratch,” explained Sheridan. “Many kids get scratched by a cat and don’t think twice about. But it can lead to severe illnesses, so it is important kids know what to do if they are scratched by a cat.”

Along with dogs and cats, there is also a lot of information on wild animals and baby animals and also how to stay safe and healthy around petting zoos, farms and other animal habitations. Participants will be given several coloring and activity books which reiterate the lessons taught throughout the program.

The summer programs offered by ACTION Health are sure to be a fun, educational experience for all those involved. For more information on these or other programs offered by ACTION Health, check out our website or call 570-275-9150.

The faculty and staff at McCann School of Business & Technology, Sunbury, have been dressing down on Fridays to support ACTION Health and recently presented a cash donation to the organization.

Victoria White, McCann’s human resource specialist, presented a cash donation in the amount of $408 to Allison Clark, executive director of ACTION Health. The employees have been contributing $2 each to dress down on Fridays since December. To date, McCann has raised a total of $990 for ACTION Health.

“Holding dress down days is always a crowd favorite,” said Victoria White, “but we wanted to have a purpose. Supporting an organization in our area gives our employees the chance to see how they are helping the area that they live and work in.”

The Dress Down Days for ACTION Health fundraising initiative allows businesses to support ACTION Health in a fun, easy and affordable way. The funds raised directly support the free health programming offered by ACTION Health.

“As a non-profit organization, we are grateful for the support of businesses like McCann School of Business & Technology. We offer all of our outreach programs free of charge, so we sincerely appreciate those organizations that support us,” said Allison Clark.

If your business or organization is interested in hosting a dress down day to support ACTION Health, please call 570-275-9150.

ACTION Health presented the “Save Our Smiles” dental health program to area first graders throughout the month of February and March in recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month. The program, which features puppets, hands-on activities and an art contest, is designed to introduce children to the importance of good dental hygiene.

“This program is a great way to introduce dental hygiene to children in a fun and interactive way. We discuss brushing, flossing, and different ways to keep your teeth healthy,” said Allison Clark, Executive Director of ACTION Health.

During the presentation, the students are taught proper brushing techniques. The students then practice those techniques on puppets with life-like teeth. The program concludes with a Happy Mouth/Sad Mouth game in which the students must determine whether the picture they are given is something that will make your mouth happy or sad.

“My favorite part of presenting the program is the Clean Mouth/Dirty mouth model we use. I always hide the dirty side and then ask the students to tell me what a dirty mouth might look like. I love the reaction I get when I reveal the dirty side because they all scream and say ‘ew,’” said Coni Marie Sheridan, AmeriCorps volunteer currently serving at ACTION Health.

This year ACTION Health presented the program to around 1,300 students in 16 elementary schools throughout Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties.

Each student was also given the opportunity to enter the “How Do You Keep Your Smile Healthy” art contest to win a prize basket that included a toothbrush and toothpaste along with some fun items like sidewalk chalk and art supplies. The contest features a writing portion and an artistic portion in which the students answer the question, “How do you keep your smile healthy?”

Presley H. from G.C. Hartman Elementary wrote, “ACTION Health taught me eating healthy foods, drinking lots of water, and brushing and flossing daily will keep my smile healthy. I visit the dentist regularly to keep my smile healthy.” While Leslie K. from White Deer Elementary wrote, “If I don’t keep my teeth healthy, my teeth will turn colors and fall out. My mouth will be unhealthy and look disgusting. I brush my teeth twice a day.”

Madeline C. from Selinsgrove Elementary wrote, “I learned about teeth. I learned so much about teeth. I know just so much now. I know almost everything about teeth.” And Joanna Weaver wrote, “To keep my smile healthier I use toothpaste and my toothbrush twice a day. I also do not eat a lot of candy and I use dental floss.”

Judging for the contest took place on March 18. Members of the ACTION Health Task Force gathered together to pick one winning entry from each school and it wasn’t easy.

“It’s always fun to watch the judging because the students can be very creative. It’s always difficult to pick just one winner, especially when there are so many great entries,” said Allison Clark.

Once the winners were selected, each school was contacted and the student was then presented with the prize basket.  The winning pictures will be displayed at the ACTION Health office throughout the remainder of the year and can also been seen by clicking here.

  Lewisburg – Food, facts, and fashion was the theme of the second annual Heart to Heart Luncheon hosted by the ACTION Health Adult Wellness Task Force on Friday, February 11, 2011. The event, held at Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, featured a heart-healthy lunch, a presentation on heart disease prevention and a Red Fashion Show.

“I think this event is a great way for people to get educated on cardiovascular health while enjoying a heart-healthy lunch and fashion show. This year’s event went extremely well and we look forward to continuing this event annually,” said Allison Clark, executive director of ACTION Health.

The heart-themed event began with a heart-healthy lunch featuring lemon pepper chicken and broccoli quiche. Following the meal was a presentation by Dr. Donald T. Nardone, Interventional Cardiologist with Geisinger Health Systems and Evangelical Community Hospital. Dr. Nardone spoke about cardiovascular disease prevention and the major risk factors that lead to heart disease.

“The main thing you want to do is to try and prevent the things that will lead, ultimately, to a heart attack or stroke,” explained Dr. Nardone. He noted that the major risk factors that lead to heart disease are high blood pressure, high or abnormal cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity and family history. Following his presentation, Dr. Nardone provided an extensive question and answer session where he addressed the audience’s specific concerns, as well as provided booklets about cardiovascular health.

“I think Dr. Nardone’s address was very educational and the audience really seemed to get a lot out of it which is what makes this event so successful. It’s not just about a fun event. It’s about providing our communities with education on important health topics. That is the mission of ACTION Health,” commented Clark.

  After a brief intermission, Master of Ceremonies Dr. Larry Schardt was joined by Kim Angelo Keck of Exclusively You to bring the focus to the fashion. Local merchants from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, and Bloomsburg showed off the latest red trends in formal wear, business attire, casual wear and kids’ fashions. Fashions were supplied by Exclusively You, It’s All About Me Boutique, J. Kleinbauer, Kiddie Korner, Lewisburg Bridal, M. Heintzelman Jewelers, Purple Platypus, and Robin’s Nest.

To close out the event, guests took a chance at winning some great door prizes, also donated by local merchants. Gift certificates, gift baskets, and a red rose floral arrangement were among the prizes up for grabs. Door prize donations were made by A Medley of Memories, Ard’s Farm Market, Campus Theatre, Giant Food Stores—Selinsgrove, Greek Isles Salon & Day Spa, La Primavera, Lewisburg Hotel, Maya’s Café, Natural Food & Garden Store, The Mercantile, Vargo Outdoors, and Weis Markets—Lewisburg.

Clark said, “Overall this year’s Heart to Heart Luncheon was a huge success. We had a great turn-out and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves. Dr. Nardone provided a great presentation and the fashion show was wonderful.”

The proceeds from the Heart to Heart Luncheon will go toward Adult Wellness Task Force programming. More pictures from the event can be found by clicking here.

It’s time to get your tickets for the second annual Heart to Heart Luncheon hosted by the ACTION Health Adult Wellness Task Force. This event, in recognition of Cardiovascular Awareness Month, is slated for Friday, February 11, 2011 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Country Cupboard, Lewisburg.

This heart-inspired event will feature a keynote address on cardiovascular disease prevention by Dr. Donald T. Nardone, Interventional Cardiologist with Geisinger Health Systems and Evangelical Community Hospital, a heart-healthy lunch, and a Red Fashion Show. There will also be door prize giveaways! 

Tickets for the Heart to Heart Luncheon are $20 each for adults and $10 each for children. Adult menu choices are Broccoli Quiche or Lemon Pepper Chicken. Children will be served a scrumptious meal of grilled chicken tenders and applesauce. All proceeds from this event will benefit ACTION Health Adult Wellness Task Force programs.

Hurry and get your tickets now! All tickets must be purchased in advance and they will sell out quickly! To purchase tickets, call the ACTION Health office at (570) 275-9150 or see any member of the Adult Wellness Task Force. Both men and women are encouraged to attend this exciting event! Red attire is recommended but not required!