The Women, Infants and Children program has transitioned to an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT, system, according to the Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County.

WIC now uses an electronic card, much like a credit or debit card, rather than paper checks. EBT gives greater flexibility in redeeming benefits, faster checkout times and increased benefit security, according to a WIC spokesperson.

WIC, with Crestview and Fort Walton Beach offices, provides healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and counseling to families that meet program guidelines.

Call the Crestview WIC office, 689-7808; or the Fort Walton Beach office, 833-9254, for details.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Women, Infants and Children program transitions from paper to card system

CRESTVIEW — Downtown Crestview is looking a bit more purple today after volunteers with the American Cancer Society's local Relay For Life wrapped ribbons around lampposts.

Thirty-seven teams and 269 participants have raised more than $45,000 from yard sales and other benefits throughout the year.

But Friday is the main event, when Relay For Life brings food, fun and, above all, cancer awareness to North Okaloosa County.

Relay For Life begins at 6 p.m. Friday at Shoal River Middle School and ends at 6 a.m. the next day. 

WATCH video of Crestview Relay For Life's "Paint the Town Purple" Day>>

SIGN UP a team or sponsor the local Relay For Life>>

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Relay For Life volunteers 'paint the town purple' in downtown Crestview (VIDEO)

CRESTVIEW — From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 26, area YMCAs at 298 N. Wilson St., Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach are hosting YMCA Healthy Kids Day to help kids keep their minds and bodies active.

Families may join the Y for free that day. Early bird swimming lesson registration is scheduled April 26 as well.

Games, arts and crafts and activities and kids’ activities presented by the YMCA 2014 Summer Camp staff. For more information contact the Crestview Family YMCA, 298 N. Wilson St., Crestview, or call 689-2999. You may also visit the Emerald Coast YMCA website.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: YMCAs hosting Healthy Kids Day in Northwest Florida

Emerald Coast Hospice is re-launching an informational program to help people better understand how hospice can benefit patients and caregivers. The program includes television, radio and newspaper ads, mailings to caregivers, and community outreach in Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, Panama City and surrounding areas.  

ECH has produced a DVD titled “Hospice and Your Loved One,” also available online, and a booklet called, “My Personal Health Record,” which provides a place to track a patient’s doctors’ visits, medications, and other vital information.

Visit www.emeraldcoasthospice.org or call 1-877-717-7357 to learn more about the DVD or the booklet.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Emerald Coast Hospice re-launching informational campaign

CRESTVIEW — Throughout April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, organizations and businesses are hosting events to protect our most vulnerable residents.

FamiliesFirst Network has created a coalition of child-friendly organizations to promote awareness about child abuse and prevention. These groups arrange events under the From Blue to Better campaign to help raise awareness for child abuse prevention.

In addition, the Department of Children and Families is participating in a national movement to change the way people think about child abuse prevention by focusing on healthy child development.

Stimulating and nurturing environments improve a child’s cognitive, psychological, behavioral and physical well being, while neglectful or abusive experiences depress mental and physical growth, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway’s 2012 Research Guide.

Parents and caregivers who have supportive social networks are better equipped to provide safe and nurturing environments for their children, according to the guide.

For more about upcoming child abuse awareness events in Northwest Florida, visit the Blue to Better website.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Child abuse awareness takes focus this month in NWF

Editor's Note: This report is part of the News Bulletin's ongoing series on cancer-research fundraisers. The newspaper is proud to support Relay For Life Crestview, which will take place 6 p.m. April 25 at Shoal River Middle School.

CRESTVIEW — When Nancy Snyder was diagnosed with cancer at age 19, she was ready for it.

"My mother had so many surgeries for cancer that I guess I took it as a part of life," she said. "With a simple procedure, the cancer was removed and, quite frankly, I never gave it much of a thought after that."

The second time was a bit different.

Nancy was receiving a routine mammogram in 1999 when a lump was discovered on her left breast. A follow-up biopsy revealed stage one cancer. Cancer has four stages; higher numbers indicate how much the disease has spread, according to the American Cancer Society website.

'Bald is beautiful'

A lumpectomy followed Nancy's biopsy results. The surgery involves removing cancer and abnormal tissue from the breast, and differs from a mastectomy, which removes the whole breast, according to the Mayo Clinic.                                                     

"Sixteen lymph nodes were removed and all margins were clear; however, the surgeon and I decided to be aggressive," Nancy said. "I had six chemotherapy treatments and seven-and-half weeks of radiation. 

"Bald is definitely beautiful. My son-in-law told my daughter that I looked like Uncle Fester from 'The Addams Family.'"

Full story in the April 9-11 edition!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: COVER STORY: Couple's experience, loss with cancer drive them to help others