OCTOBER 15, 2004
Smoke Signals 13
VIOXX No Longer Available
Effective immediately, the prescription drug VIOXX will no longer be
available to the U.S. market. VIOXX is a prescription medicine used to
relieve signs and symptoms of arthritis and acute pain in adults. Long
term use (approx. after 18 months of use) of VIOXX has shown to increase
risk in cardiovascular events such as heart attack and strokes during
chronic use.
For that reason, Merck & Co., Inc. has voluntarily withdrawled this
drug from the market. It has not yet been recalled by the Food & Drug
Administration but the FDA agrees with and supports the decision to re
move the drug from the United States market. If you are currently taking
VIOXX, please contact your physician to discuss alternative treatments. If
you have questions, please call your medical provider or your pharmacy
directly. Grand Ronde Pharmacy patients may call 1-800-422-0232 ext.
2013.
Patients with unused quantities of VIOXX, may be able to receive reim
bursement from Merck & Company, Inc. . Information on receiving reim
bursement will be posted on the web at www.vioxx.com or may be obtained
by calling 1-888-36V-IOXX. ' : - -
The Health Committee is seeking applications to fill one position.
Completed applications can be sent to the Health & Wellness Center
in care of Chair Patti Tom-Martin, 9605 Grand Ronde Road, Grand
Ronde, Oregon 97347.
Deadline is November 15.
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Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority
Last Notice To General Contractors
Housing Board of Commissioners Seeking Member
One position open to Tribal and Non-Tribal applicants
The Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority Board has one Board of
Commissioners seat open.
Anyone who is interested in serving in this position and who has
housing-related experience to qualify for the position is encouraged to
attend the October 19, 2004, board meeting. The meeting will be held
at 5:30 p.m. at the Housing Authority office at 28450 Tyee Road (just
off Grand Ronde Road) in Grand Ronde. Please call to confirm the
date and time.
This is an opportunity to: 1) observe how the board functions, 2)
become acquainted with the types of issues that are regularly dis
cussed and 3) determine if you are seriously interested in such a posi
tion now or in the future.
The open position will fill a recently vacated seat, with a term that
expires in March 2006.
Interested persons should have a demonstrated interest in housing
and experience in the housing field in some capacity, such as:
affordable housing development
property management
residential building construction
housing finance
housing planning
other housing related areas
The Board oversees all housing development, housing management,
housing programs and housing operations for the Tribe, and is re
sponsible for policy decisions. The Board currently meets at 5:30 p.m.
on the third Tuesday of each month at the Housing Authority office in
Grand Ronde.
Interested persons should send a letter outlining their interest and
qualifications to:
Carina Kistler Ginter, Executive Director
Grand Ronde Tribal Housing Authority
28450 Tyee Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97347
All letters need to be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Octo
ber 29 , 2004 to be considered. The Housing Commissioner will be
selected and appointed by the Tribal Council. For more information
regarding qualifications, or to confirm the board meeting date, contact
the Housing Authority at 503-879-2401 or toll-free at 1-800-422-0232,
ext. 2401.
Win Big Prizes for Helping Wildlife!
Help collect biological samples from deer and elk and your name will be
entered in a drawing for two gift certificates.
1st prize: $450 gift certificate to Sportsman's Warehouse
2nd prize: $50 gift certificate to Sportsman's Warehouse
Why: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Natural Resources
Division, in cooperation with Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and
USDA Veterinary Services, is collecting biological samples from deer and
elk to learn more about diseases that may be affecting our deer and elk
herds.
Deer Hair Loss Syndrome is already present in the Grand Ronde area,
but its cause is unknown.
Chronic Wasting Disease, if it shows up in Oregon, can have devas
tating affects on deer and elk populations.
Adenovirus Hemorrhagic Disease is not known to be present in the
Grand Ronde area but has been detected in Southwest and Central Or
egon. Bring hunter-harvested animals to the Tribes' Natural Resources office
at 47010 S.W. Hebo Road
Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Deer with Hair Loss Syndrome in Grand Ronde.
Entries in drawing will be awarded as follows:
Elk brain stem and lymph nodes (1 entry for use able sample)
Deer brain stem and lymph nodes (1 entry for use able sample)
Deer blood sample (1 entry for use able sample)
Deer lice sample (1 entry for use able sample)
Use able samples collected from fresh deerelk road kills will also earn
entries for the person who reports them to the Tribes' biologists.
The Fish & Wildlife Committee and Natural Resources Division thank
you for your help in gathering information to help us maintain our deer
and elk populations. Happy hunting!
(Drawing will be held at 5:30 p.m. on April 12, 2005. Winners will be
notified).
For More Information: Natural Resources Division, 47010 S.W. Hebo
Road, Grand Ronde, Jeff Baker: 503-879-2396, Brandy Duff: 503-879-2423,
Kelly Doerksen: 503-879-2382. After hours or on the weekend, call
503-434-3604.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As many are
aware, breast cancer has been on the rise for the past several years. In
1940 the lifetime risk of breast cancer was one in 20. By 1997, that risk
had increased to one in every eight women. What many people don't
know is that most women who get breast cancer have NO known risk
factors. On the positive side, nationwide awareness campaigns together
with improved diagnostic and treatment methods have led to earlier
diagnosis, and improved outcomes. Death rates from breast cancer have
dropped every year from 1990 to 2000. There are several ways all of us
can help reduce the incidence and severity of this disease.
KNOW THE RISK FACTORS: Several factors contribute to in
creased lifetime risk of breast cancer.
(1) AGE: Breast cancer risk increases with age.
(2) FAMILY HISTORY: Risk increases in people who have a "first
degree relative" (mother, sister, daughter) who has had breast cancer.
There is a slightly higher risk if there is a family history of other can
cers such as ovarian, uterine, or colon.
(4) ALCOHOL USE: Women who consume 2 to 5 drinks a day have
an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Alcohol also increases
the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
(5) WEIGHT: High calorie, high fat diets as well as being overweight
(especially in the upper body) increases breast cancer risk, especially
after menopause.
(6) MEDICAL HISTORY: Starting your period before age 12, meno
pause after age 50, taking Hormone Replacement Therapy, having
your first child past age 30, or never having children all put you at
higher risk for breast cancer.
(7) SMOKING: Increases risks for multiple medical problems, includ
ing breast cancer.
IMPROVE YOUR ODDS: By following current recommendations
for breast cancer prevention and detection, you can significantly re
duce your risk.
(1) GET SCREENED FOR BREAST CANCER: Ask your health
care provider to discuss what screening is right for you. A clinical breast
exam and or self breast exams may be recommended. Mammography
detects cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage an average of 1-3
years before a woman can feel a lump and often locates cancers too
small to be felt during a clinical breast exam. Current recommenda
tions include a screening mammography every 1-2 years between the
ages of 40 to 49 and every year thereafter.
(2) MAKE LIFE-STYLE CHANGES: Quitting smoking, losing weight,
reducing the fu your diet, and increasing exercise can significantly
reduce your risk , developing breast cancer, as well as some other can
cers. The sooner you begin the better!
Every woman deserves and needs to take the time and effort to make
sure that she is informed and aware of her breast cancer risk. If you
have not had breast cancer screening this year, take time this month to
speak to your health care provider. You may be able to get your mam
mogram at Grand Ronde Health & Wellness Center. Starting this month
a Mammography Van will be visiting the clinic once a month. The first
visit will be OCTOBER 29.