The Lifepoint Church Bloodmobile will facilitate blood donations from 3:30-7:30 p.m. June 29 at 400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.
The ERA American Realty Bloodmobile will open from 12-5 p.m. July 2 at 938 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DONORS: Bloodmobile making Crestview stops soon
FORT WALTON BEACH — Six Okaloosa County parks may have potentially hazardous bathing water, the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County stated this week.
On Tuesday, Liza Jackson Park, Fort Walton Beach; Lincoln Park, Valparaiso; Clement E. Taylor Park and James Lee Park, Destin; Emerald Promenade, Okaloosa Island; and Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park, Niceville failed tests based on EPA-recommended enterococci standards.
Enteric bacteria’s presence indicates fecal pollution from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife or human sewage.
Call 689-7859 or 833-9247 for more information.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 6 Okaloosa parks receive advisories for hazardous water
The Katie vs. Cancer team raised $3,391 on Sunday during Praying for Carolyn, a fundraiser that netted more than $53,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
The group represented Katie Mitchell, a Crestview 3-year-old who is undergoing treatments for leukemia.
Stenske, who moved to Crestview three years ago, said she is inspired by the community's support for Katie.
Walker Elementary School students made donation boxes to leave at Crestview businesses including Kelly’s Automotive, Stephanie’s House of Styles and White Sands Tanning, among others.
Fort Walton Beach resident Kim Luckie — who also had her head shaved — works for ERA American Realty, which employs Katie’s mother, Jaime.
The company is organizing July 1 and 2 blood drives at several ERA American Realtor locations in Okaloosa County. The ERA American Charitable Foundation will donate $25 to the Mitchell family for every blood donation, with a $10,000 limit.
Sunday's event raised awareness for Carolyn Hendrix, a 5-year-old Pensacola resident with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Katie vs. Cancer team nets $3K for cancer research
The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County encourages everyone to “Take the Test, Take Control” June 27 in honor of National HIV Testing Day.
Walk-ins will be accepted 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Crestview clinic, 810 E. James Lee Blvd.; and at the Fort Walton Beach clinic, 221 NE Hospital Drive.
Testing is open to people ages 13 years and older. Results will be available within two weeks and.
DID YOU KNOW?
Nearly one in five people don’t know they are living with HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone between ages 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once, with those at increased risk resting more frequently.
What to learn more? Call Ryan White, The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County, 833-9240.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: North Okaloosa residents asked to take HIV test
The Katie vs. Cancer team raised $3,391 on Sunday during Praying for Carolyn, a fundraiser that netted more than $53,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.
The group represented Katie Mitchell, a Crestview 3-year-old who is undergoing treatments for leukemia.
Stenske, who moved to Crestview three years ago, said she is inspired by the community's support for Katie.
Walker Elementary School students made donation boxes to leave at Crestview businesses including Kelly’s Automotive, Stephanie’s House of Styles and White Sands Tanning, among others.
Fort Walton Beach resident Kim Luckie — who also had her head shaved — works for ERA American Realty, which employs Katie’s mother, Jaime.
The company is organizing July 1 and 2 blood drives at several ERA American Realtor locations in Okaloosa County. The ERA American Charitable Foundation will donate $25 to the Mitchell family for every blood donation, with a $10,000 limit.
Sunday's event raised awareness for Carolyn Hendrix, a 5-year-old Pensacola resident with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.
What: Blood drive supporting Katie Mitchell and family
When:Noon to 5 p.m. July 2
Where:ERA American Realty of Northwest Florida, 938 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Katie vs. Cancer team nets $3K for cancer research
CRESTVIEW — Gretl Stenske and her son, Zac, would give anything to help Katie Mitchell, a 3-year-old receiving treatment for leukemia.
"Anything" includes all the hair on their heads.
Gretl and Zac, 15, will have their heads shaved on Sunday at the Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, where more than 100 teams will support children with cancer.
Spreading the message
“By doing this, I feel like I can be … a walking billboard for this disease,” Gretl said. “I felt like I needed to do this in order to get the message across.”
Her message is that more needs to be done to beat childhood cancer.
Four percent of federal funding goes toward childhood cancer research, according to the St. Baldrick Foundation website. The foundation, which raises awareness and funds for childhood cancer research, will benefit from the “Praying for Carolyn” head-shaving event on Sunday. The event will raise awareness for Carolyn Hendrix, a 5-year-old Pensacola resident with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare bone cancer.
Stenske and her son are among five participants in the Katie vs. Cancer team, which has raised more than $2,200 of a $5,000 goal.
'We are blessed'
Stenske, who moved to Crestview three years ago, said she is inspired by the community's support.
Walker Elementary School students made donation boxes to leave at Crestview businesses including Kelly’s Automotive, Stephanie’s House of Styles and White Sands Tanning, among others.
In addition, supporters have followed Katie's progress on the Katie vs. Cancer Facebook page.
“To see how this community has surrounded this family is phenomenal,” Stenske said.
Fort Walton Beach resident Kim Luckie has raised more than $1,200. Luckie — who will also have her head shaved — works for ERA American Realty, which employs Katie’s mother, Jaime.
The company is organizing July 1 and 2 blood drives at several ERA American Realtor locations in Okaloosa County. The ERA American Charitable Foundation will donate $25 to the Mitchell family for every blood donation, with a $10,000 limit.
Jaime appreciates all the support.
“It’s been hard, but we are blessed by all of the help we have received,” she said.
UPCOMING
What: St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser
When:2 p.m. Sunday
Where:Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, 351 W. Cedar St., Pensacola
Notes:Benefits childhood cancer research; visit bit.ly/1iH9Lu0 for details on the Katie vs. Cancer team
•••
What: Blood drive supporting Katie Mitchell and family
When:Noon to 5 p.m. July 2
Where:ERA American Realty of Northwest Florida, 938 S. Ferdon Blvd., Crestview
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Mother, son, shave heads to support Crestview girl, aid cancer research funding
PENSACOLA —World Blood Donor Day is Saturday, June 14. It was created as a way of honoring blood donors and to say thank you to the loyal donors who save lives every single day.
OneBlood will be celebrating World Blood Donor Day during the entire weekend, June 13-16.
Donors who participate on those days will receive a free limited edition OneBlood baseball hat, a $10 eGift card and a free wellnes check when they donate at OneBlood donor center locations, including the Crestview Donor Center, 2400 S. Ferdon Blvd., Suite B, Crestview, phone 306-2455; and the Fort Walton Beach Donor Center, 405 NE Racetrack Road, Suite 104, Fort Walton Beach.
Visit the website to find the center closest to you. Appointments are honored and walk-ins are welcome. Photo I.D. is required.
Donating blood is one of the most powerful actions any human can take, as it literally saves lives. One in three of us will need a blood transfusion at some time. While 39 percent of people are eligible to donate blood, only 5 percent do. Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: World Blood Donor Day celebration this weekend
CRESTVIEW — Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be difficult, said Dr. Rasha Beg, a specialist with 21st Century Oncology. “So to help them get through it, social support and their own outlet is important.”
Patients at the Redstone Avenue facility have painted 75 ceiling tiles that feature inspirational messages, Bible verses, paintings of cartoon characters, animals, colorful objects and support for a favorite college football team.
That, and staying optimistic help, Baker resident and cancer survivor James Johnson said.
“Keep a positive frame of mind and rely on God to help, cause it worked for me,” he said.
“Try to keep a smile on your face,” his wife, Donna, said. “Don’t treat (a spouse with cancer) any different than you normally do … don’t change your routine.”
After receiving radiation treatments, Johnson, diagnosed in 2012, said he has been cancer-free for about a year.
“I never had any doubt that I would beat it,” he said. “I was told to not worry about things and everything would taken care of … and it was.”
There’s a reason for that, Beg said.
“We don’t have a cure for (cancer) yet,” she said. "The treatments for many cancers have really improved, so we will see more and more survivors.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview doctor: Social support crucial following cancer diagnosis
CRESTVIEW — Zumba enthusiasts, or those who want to try out the aerobic fitness program, can attend Dancing for Babies, a Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser, on Friday.
Three Zumba-certified instructors will lead the event and Wal-Mart employees have volunteered to watch children while parents exercise at Riverside Elementary School
Attendees have the chance to win door prizes, including gift baskets, from the store, which is sponsoring the event. Water and fresh fruit will be available for donations.
All Dancing for Babies proceeds will benefit Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Pensacola, Samantha Rudolph, a co-manager of the Crestview Wal-Mart, said.
It's just one way the store is committed to being involved with the community, Rudolph said.
“We are hoping this will be the first of many” she said.
In addition, the store plans to have a Kitty Carnival featuring children’s activities on June 28 outside the store’s garden center.
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: Dancing for Babies fundraiser
WHEN: 5:30-7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Riverside Elementary School, 3400 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview
COST:$5 donation for participation
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Zumba fundraiser to benefit Children's Miracle Network
FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County (DOH-Okaloosa) is issuing a public health advisory in an effort to locate the person or persons who may have recently come in contact with a potentially rabid raccoon in the Fort Walton Beach area.
On the morning of Wednesday, June 11, an employee of the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in Fort Walton Beach found a deceased raccoon in a bucket full of water. The small raccoon had been wrapped in a towel and was most likely thrown over the fence after PAWS closed on Tuesday evening.
If you are the individual who found or cared for this animal, it is important that you undergo an assessment to determine your risk for exposure to rabies. Please contact your primary care provider or DOH-Okaloosa at (850) 833-9240, ext. 2139 to be assessed.
Okaloosa health officials urge residents to avoid contact with wild and stray animals to protect themselves from the risk of rabies exposure. In Florida, raccoons, bats and foxes, and unvaccinated cats are the animals most frequently diagnosed with rabies. Other animals that are at high risk for rabies include skunks, otters, coyotes, bobcats, and stray or unvaccinated dogs and ferrets.
“Rabies is a potentially fatal disease. It is important not to handle wild animals, stay away from animals acting abnormally, and keep pets vaccinated against rabies,” said Karen Chapman, MD, MPH, Director of DOH-Okaloosa.
Rabies is transmitted through exposure to the saliva and nervous tissue from a rabid animal through a bite, scratch, or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, or mouth. DOH-Okaloosa works with Okaloosa County Animal Services in responding to incidents of animal bites, tests animals for rabies through the Department of Health state laboratory, and quarantines animals as necessary and provides consultation on treatment after potential exposure to rabies.
The following are steps you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones against rabies:
· Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
· Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately and contact Okaloosa County Animal Services at (850) 244-0196.
· Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray domestic animals from your neighborhood. To remove wild animals, call the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge at (850) 650-1880.
· Spay or neuter your pets to help reduce the number of unwanted pets that may not be properly cared for or regularly vaccinated.
· Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas, where they might come in contact with people and pets.
· Do not handle or offer food to wild animals. Do not unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter.
· Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
· Teach children never to handle unfamiliar animals, wild or domestic, even if they appear friendly.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Health department seeks anyone in contact with rabid raccoon
