BlueMountainEagle.com
COMMUNITY
WHAT’S
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
A9
Community HEALTH BEAT
HAPPENING
The deadline for What’s Happening items is 5 p.m. Fri-
day. Call the Eagle, 541-575-0710, or email editor@bmea-
gle.com. For meetings this week, see our list in the classifi eds.
Wednesday, April 3
Luncheon and church service
• 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., The Redeemer Lutheran
Church, John Day
The Ministerial Association churches will observe Lent
with a special luncheon and service held at various local
churches. Everyone is invited. These special services are held
on Wednesdays ending April 10. A soup and bread lunch will
be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. The service follows
from 12:15-12:45 p.m. On April 10, the luncheon and service
will be at the Church of the Nazarene in John Day.
Friday, April 5
First Friday
• 6-9 p.m., Downtown John Day
First Friday is back and starting the season with an Eas-
ter egg hunt in downtown John Day. There will be prize eggs
hidden throughout participating businesses. For more infor-
mation, visit the Downtown John Day First Fridays page on
Facebook.
A cappella gospel concert
• 7 p.m., Mt. Vernon Grange Hall
Hosted by the John Day
Valley Mennonite Church,
everyone is welcome to
attend the 34-voice a cap-
pella gospel concert. For
more information, con-
tact Leland Smucker at
541-620-0278.
Saturday,
April 6
Lake Creek Youth
Camp gala
• 4 p.m., Grant County
Fairgrounds
Eagle fi le photo
The gala features a tri-
tip dinner, auction and live Etc. owner Sherrie Rininger
music. The live auction dishes up cups of pavlova
begins at 6:30 p.m. Tick- during a previous First Friday
ets for the event are $20 per event. April 5 will feature an
person, available at 861 W. Easter egg hunt at downtown
Main St., John Day, or by John Day businesses.
calling 541-206-2421.
Stuart Mosier benefi t dinner and auction
• 6 p.m., John Day Elks Lodge
A tri-tip dinner will be served by donation. Live and silent
auctions will follow. Proceeds go toward a life-saving kid-
ney transplant for Stuart Mosier. For more information or to
donate an item for the auction, contact Brenda Mosier at 541-
429-0551 or Leslie Traylor at 541-575-1862 or 541-620-4032.
Friday, April 12
Cancer benefi t dinner
• 4:30 p.m., John Day Golf Course
There will be a benefi t dinner to support GIST (gastro-
intestinal stromal tumor) cancer research. There will be two
dinner times, 4:30 and 6 p.m. Dinner is fried chicken, mashed
potatoes and gravy, vegetables, salad, dinner roll, and apple
pie and ice cream for dessert. The cost is $15 per person, $25
for couples, $7 for children under 7. For more information,
call Linda McClellan at 541-620-2352.
Saturday-Sunday, April 13-14
Strawberry Mountain Gun & Knife Show
• 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 13
• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 14
• Grant County Fairgrounds, Trowbridge Pavilion
Admission is $3, or $5 for both days. Ages 7-18 cost $1
per day, and 6 and under gain entry with one can of food.
For more information, call the fairgrounds at 541-575-1900,
email Mindy Winegar at winegarm@grantcounty-or.gov or
visit grantcountyoregon.net.
Friday, April 19
Easter egg coloring
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., John Day Fire Department
The John Day Fire Department will host children to
color Easter eggs. For more information, call Joy Brown at
1-602-882-2397.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
• 6:30 p.m., Madden Brothers Performing Arts Center
Featuring 11 fi lms, beer will be available during the event,
and raffl es will be held during and after the event. The cost is
$10 for adults or $5 for members. Children 17 and under enter
for free. For tickets, visit BMLT.org or call 541-620-5754.
Quality Healthcare Close To Home
170 Ford Road, John Day • 541-575-1311 • www.bluemountainhospital.org
How common is oral cancer?
Oral cancer claims the life of one American every hour, 24 hours per day. In 2019,
approximately 53,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or oropharyngeal cancer this year.
Of those individuals, only slightly more than half will be alive in five years. It occurs twice as
often in men as women and twice as often in the black population when compared to the
white population. The death rates for oral cancers are higher than that of cervical cancer,
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular cancer, and many others. Reasons that the death rates are
higher are due to the fact that it is more difficult to discover or diagnose than other cancers,
often only discovered when it has spread to additional parts of the body. In order to prevent
oral cancer, let’s review the etiology of oral cancer.
What causes oral cancer?
Factors and causes related to developing oral cancer include tobacco in all forms,
alcohol consumption, persistent viral infections such as human papilloma virus (HPV), and other
possible unknown genetic abnormalities. Those who both smoke and drink, have a 15 times
greater risk of developing oral cancer than others, making them the greatest risk factors for
developing oral cancer. An estimated 25% of oral cancer patients have no known risk factors.
Regardless of cause, it is important for us all to know what to look for and how to screen for
this deadly disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of oral cancer?
The beginning stages of oral cancer can be difficult to identify as there is often no
noticeable pain or symptoms of disease. While some individuals may have no symptoms,
persistent oral abnormalities should prompt evaluation by a dentist or oral surgeon. These
abnormalities include:
• Any sore or lesion that does not heal within 14 days
• A red, white, or black discoloration of the soft tissues of the mouth
• Any abnormality that bleeds easily when touched
• A lump or hard spot in the tissue, usually on the edge of the tongue
• A lump or thickening that develops in the mouth
• Painless, firm, fixated lump on the neck for longer than two weeks
• Change of voice
• Sore throat or feeling that something is caught in the throat
• One-sided persistent ear ache
What are the recommendations for oral cancer screening?
Early detection of oral cancer produces the best scenario for treatment and the greatest chance
of a cure. There is an 80-90% survival rate when oral cancers are found at the early stages of
development. In an effort to detect signs or symptoms in the early stages, medical
professionals and groups recommend all individuals perform a monthly self-exam. Specific
instructions for self-exam can be found at MyOMS.org/OralCancerAwareness or
CheckYourMouth.org.
How can oral cancer risk be
lessened?
Interventions that can decrease risk of
oral cancer include:
• Tobacco cessation
• Moderation of alcohol intake
• Perform regular preventative
screening recommendations
such as pap smears and HPV
immunizations
• Monthly oral self-exams
• At least annual exams by oral
surgeon/dentist
By Shawna Clark, DNP, FNP
Blue Mountain Hospital District
Saturday, April 20
Bunny Hop 5k
• 8 a.m., Dayville School gymnasium
Registration begins at 8 a.m., followed by the race at 9 a.m.
Participants will park at the Dayville School Gymnasium
then be bused up South Fork Road to the starting line and
fi nish at Dayville City Park. The cost is $15 per person with
an additional $10 for a T-shirt. Shirt orders must be placed
by April 8. For more information, contact Ruthie Moore at
541-987-2188.
Mt. Vernon Easter egg hunt
• 10 a.m., Clyde Holliday State Park, Mt. Vernon
The Mt. Vernon Volunteer Fire Department will host its
annual Easter egg hunt. Fire truck rides will be available from
9-9:45 a.m. at the Mt. Vernon City Park with the actual hunt
to follow at Clyde Holliday State Park with prizes for all
ages. For more information, contact the city of Mt. Vernon at
541-932-4688.
Dayville Easter egg hunt
• 10:30 a.m., Dayville City Park
There will be four age divisions from infant to sixth grade
as well as a fun hunt for the parents. For more information,
contact Ruthie Moore at 541-987-2188.
John Day Elks Lodge Easter egg hunt
• 11 a.m., Seventh Street Complex, John Day
The Elks Lodge will host its annual egg hunt with a
visit from the Easter Bunny. For more information, call
541-575-1824.
APRIL
VISITING
SPECIALISTS
April
April
April
April
22: Baker Podiatrist - Dr. Rushton
3, 16, 20: Bend Cardio - Dr. McLellan
11: Bend Ortho - Dr. Lilley
19: Bend Neuro - Dr. Tien
Sharon Halseide was born on May 9, 1940 to Roy and Miriam Pulliam in
Portland, Oregon. She had four brothers and sisters. Sharon had severe
asthma as a child and her family moved to The Dalles, Oregon and then to
Canada to improve her health.
Blue Mountain
Care Center
Resident of the Month
SHARON
HALSEIDE
Sharon has a music degree from college. She was married for 17 years and
had three sons and a daughter. She has 12 grandchildren. She worked at a
radio station in the Midwest and was a ward clerk at a hospital in
Seattle. She also taught music out of her home, was a church staff musician
and choir director. She enjoys helping people, playing the piano and the
violin, doing arts and crafts, shopping, playing cards and bingo. She also
enjoys teaching music to children.
Sharon came to the Blue Mountain Care Center on September 20, 2012.
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