A8 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
Rural program aims at catching colon cancer
By JAYATI RAMAKRISHNAN
STAFF WRITER
Residents of some of the most
rural parts of Eastern Oregon can
now get easier access to colon can-
cer screenings. The Eastern Oregon
Healthy Living Alliance is offering
free screening kits to people in Gil-
liam, Morrow and Sherman coun-
ties. People between the ages of 50
and 75 can pick up a kit from one
of several different locations in the
three counties.
The Fecal Immunochemical
Test kit allows people to take the
test, which checks for blood in the
stool, in the privacy of their own
home, and then return the kit at a
designated location.
Colorectal cancer is prevent-
able, according to the organiza-
tion’s press release, and a person
can minimize their risk by getting
screened regularly.
John Adams, executive director
of the Eastern Oregon Healthy Liv-
ing Alliance, said the organization
looked at all the counties in the area
and their health needs.
“Based on population and iden-
tified need, we’re trying to share
resources,” he said.
The Healthy Living Alliance
focuses on much of the same cover-
age area as the Eastern Oregon Coor-
dinated Care Organization, which
provides services for Medicaid-el-
igible people in 12 Eastern Oregon
counties, including Umatilla County.
Adams said rural counties in
Oregon were a priority because of
their aging populations.
“Throughout Eastern Oregon,
there’s higher rates of older adults
than the state average,” he said.
According to the 2010 cen-
sus, about 15 percent of Morrow
County residents are 65 and older,
while about 25 percent in Sherman
County and 27 percent in Gilliam
county fit that demographic.
Adams added that one in three
Oregonians from ages 50 to 75
are not screened as recommended,
and that eastern Oregon’s rates of
screening are even lower.
The rate of new colorectal can-
cer diagnoses in Morrow County is
43.2 percent, he said, as compared
to a state rate of 37.1 percent. He
said the rate of mortality in Eastern
Oregon communities from 2009
to 2013 was 18.9 percent, as com-
pared to 14.5 percent statewide.
In Morrow County, kits can be
picked up at:
Columbia River Health Services
Clinic, 450 Tatone St., Boardman
Pioneer Memorial Clinic, 130
Thompson St., Heppner
Ione Community Clinic, 365 W.
3rd St., Ione
Irrigon Medical Clinic, 220 NE
Main Ave., Irrigon
PO BOX 1 • 101 Olson Rd • Boardman, OR 97818 • 541-481-3014
www.boardmanchamber.org • email: info@boardmanchamber.org
Boardman Chamber of Commerce
Announces 2018 Frostbite Golf Tournament Scholarship Recipients
Boardman Chamber of Commerce is a proud supporter of Riverside
Jr/Sr High School and their students.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Left to Right (Back Row): Gustavo Amaya, Kevin Madrigal, Misael Madrigal, Fabian Meza, Paul Diaz
Left to Right (Seated): Abigail Hernandez, Ruby Barrera
Proceeds from the 2018 Frostbite Scholarship Golf Tournament gave the
Boardman Chamber of Commerce the opportunity to award seven $1,000
scholarships to just a few of the expletory RHS students graduating in 2018.
BOARDMAN THUNDER’S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Located on our NEW and IMPROVED
Boardman Chamber of Commerce website
WWW.BOARDMANCHAMBER.ORG
or Boardman Chamber of Commerce Facebook
Boardman Thunder 2018
YOU’RE INVITED TO
Build a fl oat, Organize a band, Dig out your best costumes
and join the biggest little parade for a hometown 4th of July Celebration!
for entry form contact the Boardman Chamber of Commerce
Event will start at 8:00 a.m.
at Riverside High School Registration begins at 7:00 a.m.
for entry form contact the Boardman Chamber of Commerce
400 NE Eldrige Dr.
Boardman, Oregon
At UEC we aim higher than just being your electric service provider.
We strive to meet the needs of our growing
communities while offering products and
services that help our members save money,
conserve energy and natural resources.
541-481-2220
www.umatillaelectric.com
Our experienced agents can analyze your insurance needs and select the
company or companies best suited to your individual situation.
You'll get hometown service from your neighbors and friends.
Monday through Friday, or by appointment. www.wheatlandins.com
IONE
245 NW Main, Suite 100 • PO Box 26
Phone 541-422-7410
Fax 541-276-7688
HEPPNER
294 N. Main • PO Box 755
Phone 541-676-9113
Fax 541-276-7688
HERMISTON
455 E. Main St. • PO Box 1349
Phone 541-567-8834
Fax 541-276-7688
• Temporary Staffing Services • Recruiting
• Human Resource Management
• Risk Management • Payroll Administration
• Worker’s Comp Insurance
1055 S. Hwy 395, Ste 333 • Hermiston, OR
(541) 567-9670 • Fax (541) 567-4427
• PENDLETON • CONDON • ELGIN • LA GRANDE • ENTERPRISE • ATHENA, WALLOWA • BAKER CITY
251NE Eldridge Drive, Boardman, OR
(541) 481-2666 • Fax (541) 481-2239
• Commercial • Farms & Crops • Agriculture • Ranch • Personal • Industrial
• Worker's Compensation• Service Organizations • Health, Life & Financial Services
WWW.BARRETTBUSINESS.COM
Offices also located in:
FIRST-CLASS SERVICE & LOCAL EXPERTISE.
PROPERTIES
ART KEGLER
PRINCIPAL BROKER, GRI
amwest@centurytel.net
Oregon Licensed Realtor
2 Marine Dr., Suite #104, BOARDMAN
541-481-2888 • 541-720-2020 CELL
Clinic
Mon - Fri: 7:30 am - 8 pm
Sat: 8 am - 5 pm
Pharmacy
Mon - Fri: 9 am - 7 pm
Sat: 9 am - 6 pm
541-481-7212
541-481-5444
450 Tatone Street
Boardman, OR 97818
220 S. Main Street
Boardman, OR 97818
Cabins ~ RV’s ~ Tents
Fishing ~ ATV Trails
Concessions
SERVING
R es er va tion L ine 541-9 8 9 -8 2 14
W eb s ite: m or r ow countypa r k s .org
Em a il: m cpa r k s @ co.m or r ow .or.us
M or r ow C ounty
P ub lic W or k s
3 6 5 W . Hw y 74 • P O B ox
L exington, OR 9 78 3 9
541-9 8 9 -9 50 0 office
541-676-9161
• Morrow
• Wheeler
• Gilliam
• Grant
COUNTIES
communitycounselingsolutions.org
“We offer a wide variety of behavioral health services”
If you would like to help sponsor the Boardman Chamber page,
published on the 2 nd Wednesday of every month, Call Audra Workman at 541-564-4538.