Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 November 2002 — Page 36

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1,2002 ■ PAGE D8 TO YOUR HEALTH

Marion County Health Department helping citizens stay healthy with innovative medical information carrier

Submitted by the Health Education, Promotion and Training Department of the Marion County Health Department Whether you live alone, with your spouse, or family members two actions are critical to a speedy and full recovery from a medical emergency. The first is immediate, appropriate treatment. The second is having a complete list of the medications you are taking readily available for the emergency medical team. In cases of heart attack or stroke, time is of the essence. Every minute spent in interviewing you or searching for the name of your doctor, insurance company and prescriptions can become a matter of life or death. Therefore, it is imperative that when you are under stress or in great pain, someone knows where to find your medical information. Equally important, is the need to have an accurate, up-to-date listing of all medications you are taking, including medication to which you are allergic, and a list of your current medical providers. The Marion County Health Department continues to be at the forefront of developing programming and tools for a variety of situations, including medical emergencies. The health department strives to provide services that address the needs of people of all ages.

To address this concern, the chure. health department is offering This new system is provided the newly redesigned Medical free of charge to people 50 or Information Carrier. older, and to those who are The Medical Information homebound. You may pick up Carrier will serve to replace your carrier at the Marion the Vial of Life. The Vial of County Health Department loLife was kept inside the re- C ated at 3838 N. Rural St. - frigerator, making it difficult Health Promotion Department, to find. The new Medical In- weekdays, between the hours formation Carrier is located of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. For outside, attached to the re- additional information, please frigerator by a magnet. The callDorisor JudyatOH^lMedical Information Carrier 2087. If you are a Senior Conis a bright red, vinyl pouch, nection member, you may call which holds your medical in- Wishard Senior Care at (317) formation. Each carrier comes 630-8790 for your free carrier, with an instructional broUps for using the Medical Information Carrier effectively include: • Use a pencil so that you can change information as needed. The information is not helpftil if it is not current •Inform your spouse or relatives of the Medical Informa* tion Carrier. • Make sure emergency contact phone numbers are correct • Lfart all medications on your information sheet, such as prescriptions, aspirin, vitamins, cold medicine, herbal supplements, etc. • Keep all medicines in one location and list that location on your information sheet • When you call ill, have your Medical Infonyiatiou Carrier available when emergency personnel i

Remember breast cancer survivors, those who didn’t

By NICOLE C. COOPER Recorder Correspondent Since National Breast Cancer Awareness Month has just ended, we must be forever mindful that the fight to eradicate breast cancer continues. With the odds of 1 in every 8 women getting breast cancer getting involved in the fight against breast cancer is as simple as visiting www.thebreastcancersite.com, where your daily click provides free mammography services to an unor underinsured woman. Yoplait yogurt “We Can Lick Cancer” campaign donates $1 for every lid of Yoplait yogurt that is mailed to the company. Participate in the Race for the Cure; an annual walk/run (in April) sponsored by local affiliates of the national The Susan G. Komen Foundation (www.raceforthecure.com). Every 12 minutes one mother, sister, daughter, or friend is lost to breast cancer. Take time to pay tribute and reflect on the lives of those who have lost the battle with breast cancer. Shirley holds

a picture of Patricia, her sister and smiles, reminiscing, “She was vibrant, caring, loving and just a wonderful person to know. Her absence is felt everyday by T.J., her daughter, our mother and her three remaining sisters. Patricia died on Jan. 8, 2002, of metastasized breast cancer (breast cancer that had spread through her body).” Shakeba’s mother Carol whose breast cancer had also metastasized ended her battle with breast cancer on Sept. 3,2002. Although the family is saddened by her death, they are comforted knowing that she no longer suffers. We should also embrace and encourage those women who are in the midst of the brutal battle that is breast cancer. Breast cancer is both a physical and mentally debilitating disease. Many women have to simultaneously deal with their immortality and their impending physical disfigurement. And let us not forget to celebrate the survivors for they have endured the unpredictable battle that is breast cancer. Virginia

Kearney recalls “I had a lump biopsy and was relieved the lump was diagnosed as benign. One year later following a routine annual mammogram the lump had developed into a malignant tumor. I was scheduled for a lumpectomy, during the surgery it was discovered that the lump was 2 1/2 cm and had infected my lymph nodes. A mastectomy has to be performed. I was initially shocked when I saw the remnants of my past breast, but I am alive and I’d trade a breast fora life any day.” So let us remain vigilant in our efforts to make sure women of all socioeconomic levels and ethnicities receive education, culturally sensitive messages, and access to mammograms and health care services that can save their lives. And let us not forget those shining examples of bravery, grace and dignity. The heroes, the women who have fought, lost or won the battle with breast cancer.

HEALTH BRIEFS

Lilly grants $3 million to health education Lilly Endowment awarded $3 million to the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center (RLHEC) for their Health Education for the 21st Century project. The money will enable the RLHEC to install the latest in digital technologies in its eight teaching theaters. The RLHEC will partner with the School of Informatics and the School of Allied Health Sciences at lUPUl to create a health education ‘learning laboratory’ revolutionary in scope and impact.

Coping with loss during holidays

Ruth Lilly Hospice will have two three-hour workshops to help people who have the death of a loved one cope during the holidays. The workshop takes place 1 to 3 p.m. A second workshop will be held Nov. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon, call Lori Mercer at 962*0775.

Help Us Protect Our Most Valuable Person YOU!

Fill out the medical information sheet USE PENCIL for ease of updating

Fold the information sheet so it fits into the clear pouch, then slide it into the side of the clear pouch.

Insert the clear pouch with your data form into the top of the red pouch. See photo.

Place the magnetized red pouch on a clear area on refrigerator.

*. ■ i -1 M IM1KUS< t OAU SlMIM

’Women’s^ ^mpital presents....

Speakers: Suzanne Metzger, DBA and Amy Moon, MD Okay, you’ve been through the "Roaring 20s” and even made it through the “30'Someihing” years. So, why do they tell us that the 40+ years are fabulous? Join us for an evening that will leave you motivated through humor and insight. Learn how to make your own 40+ years magnificent... your way!

For the past 15 years, Dr. Svzanae Metzfer has been captivating audiences with her upbeat, motivational, and passionate talks. Author of Learning Through Living. . . Some Assembly

Dr. Amy Moon specializes fat obstetrics and gynecology. She is a member of the Women’s Health Alliance practice. She holds a special interest in providing comprehensive

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 5,2002 7 PM Womenb Hospital of Indianapolis EARLY-B1RD DISCOUNT! Before October 31st - $10 After (if space permits) - $15 Groups of 3 or more - $8/person (must be registered together) To register by phone, cafi 317/554-6775 or 317/554-6922 or

The Complete IMotl Guide to Living with Breast Cancer, Suzanne leads workshops and writes columns on selfmotivation. hoping to help others get themselves on the right track.

beginning with adulthood and continuing through the mature years. She is the mother of four children and has a background of song and dance performance.

Visit our website at www.womenshospitaLo(g. ic TVcmeiu hospital of IIMOIAIMAPOI.IS