March IO, 2010
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Page 19
H EALTHMATTFRS
Red Cross Donor Honored
Manuel Baquero of northeast Port­
land has been honored as a local hero by
the American Red Cross for his long­
standing commitment to giving blood
and years of work building the Latino
community-based blood drives.
Baquero learned the importance of
giving blood from his father, who is not
only a blood donor, but also a recipient.
With a condition that requires regular
blood transfusions, his life literally de­
pends on this life-saving gift.
It was this family connection that in­
fluenced Manuel to start donating blood
in Puerto Rico at age 19. Ten years ago,
he began giving in Oregon and now he
not only donates regularly, but also in­
spires others to give.
Today, Manuel is a Red Cross volun­
teer, helping with outreach and interpre­
tation for the Latino community-spon­
sored Blood Drives. His language skills
have been vital to growing these events
by more than 1,000 donors in just two
___
years.
Manuel Baquero knows the imortance o f giving blood.
Unwanted Drugs Collected
ter, and focused studies have
Drug turn in
found pharmaceuticals in ground
water. Flushing unwanted drugs
Saturday at
down the toilet are one way the
drugs make their way into the en­
Fred Meyer
vironment.
Unused prescription medica­
tions will be collected Saturday,
March 13 in the parking lot of the
Fred Meyer store at 7404 N. Inter­
state Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The effort is part of a statewide
collection of unwanted and expired
drug meant to increase awareness
about the disposal of potentially
dangerous and addictive drugs.
Sponsors include the Oregon
Medical Association Alliance,
Community Action to Reduce Sub­
stance Abuse and Oregon Part­
nership.
Water quality samplings have
found trace amounts of pharma­
ceuticals in Oregon’s surface wa-
Collecting unused drugs also
prevents drug abuse by keeping
the medications out of the wrong
hands.
Oregon ranks among the top
states for non-medical use of pain
relievers among 12-17 year olds.
Teens say prescription drugs are
widely available from an array of
sources, including their homes,
friends and relatives.
Locking your meds is a house­
hold strategy that is gaining more
popularity, as parents realize that
most teens who abuse prescrip­
tion drugs acquire them from medi­
cine cabinets at the homes of par­
ents, relatives, or friends.
H ealth W atch
Maternity Water Workout — Helping new moms regain muscle tone,
strength, and flexibility, al, in the support and freedom of the water. Call 503-
256-4000 for more information.
Senior Aerobics - A low-impact workout geared specifically toward
seniors. Call 503-449-0783 for current schedule.
9
The
Osteoporosis Screening — An ultrasound bone density screening with
personalized education; fee $30. To schedule an appointment, call 503-
261-6611.
Mind Body Health Class - Learn and practice techniques to help you
improve your mood, health and wellbeing, including effective ways to
manage difficult emotions and chronic stress or illness. Registration is $70
for Kaiser Permanente members and $95 for nonmembers. Call 503-286-
6816.
Gospel Picnic
Upcoming Event
July 17,2010
Red Cross Certification - The Oregon Trail Chapter Red Cross now offers
credits to helps professionals maintain licensing or certification. For a
cumulative list, visit pdxinfo.net.
*
Columbia Park
Entertainment
Food
Tenderfoot Care-Treat your feet with a soak, nail trim, buffing and massage
from a licensed nurse at one of six clinics or at your home. Call 503-251 -6303
for more information.
Free Body Basics — This physician recommended class is appropriate for
all ages and health conditions. Plan to attend this one-session class and
learn the simple guidelines for safe exercises, including stretching. Call
503-256-4000 to register.
A Joyful Noise
f amilies with Mental Illness -- A free, 12-week course for people whose
family members live with mental illness is offered at Emanuel Hospital, Mt.
Hood Medical Center and Providence Medical Center. The course has
been described as “life-changing” by former participants. Registration is
required by calling 503-203-3326.
Managing Chronic Hepatitis C - Third Wednesday of each month at 5
p.m. The informative session is led by a registered nurse to help you
manage side effects of medications and dosage preparations and admin­
istration; doctor referral required. To register, call 503-251-6313.
Cancer Resource Center - Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and
the American Red Cross have joined forces to create the first in-hospital
resource center providing books, printed material, computer access and
more for individuals and families dealing with cancer. The center is open
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Better Breathers - An asthma educational support group meets on the
1 st Tuesday of the month from 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Adventist Medical
Center. For information, call 503-251 -6830.
If J
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ommunity blessing!
utreach Ministries