Health

Bronx Notes: Montefiore Hosts Sickle Cell Awareness Event

This Wednesday, June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day, and Montefiore Medical Center will host its first annual Sickle Cell Awareness Day to educate the community about this inherited disease. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 19 and will feature a guest appearance by rising boxing star Eddie Gomez. Sickle cell specialists from Montefiore and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will be on hand to discuss managing sickle cell disease and will provide free oxygen saturation testing. Call (718) 430-2186 for more information. Click here to see Eddie Gomez in action.

Bronx Notes: Medicare Session for Seniors

Jewish Home Lifecare is hosting two talks, “Article 81 Guardianships and Special Needs Trusts” and “Changes in Medicare and How It Relates to the Elder Community” on June 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Kittay House garden level, 2550 Webb Ave. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call (718) 410-1441.

The Dangerous, Funny, Thrilling, Sad, Uplifting Lives of Nurses

The scariest day of Theresa Davila’s life also happened to be a comedic adventure, wrapped around a mother-daughter coming-of-age drama. It climaxed with Davila running away from her apartment complex, which she believed was on the verge of collapse, dressed only in a towel, with her two kids in tow, trying to flag down a bus.

Be Healthy: Skin Cancer Does Not Discriminate, Exposure Can Damage Anyone

Fair skinned people are known to be at higher risk for skin cancer and other problems associated with too much exposure to the sun, but they are not alone. People of color also are vulnerable to the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun and indoor tanning beds. During National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Awareness Month and throughout the summer, people of all ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to learn about their skin cancer risk and the benefits of sun safety.

Big Plans for PS/MS 20’s Edible Garden

Vegetables and herbs will soon be growing on the new plant grounds of PS /MS 20’s very own school garden. “The Edible Urban Garden” opened last week with the help and efforts of the school’s new principal Joan Riley, parent Estela Blandon, Maritz Hernandez of the Mosholu Community Center after school program, along with assistant principal, Juan Flores. By implementing the garden, the school hopes to bring new light to eating habits, healthy lifestyles, and organic gardening. The school plans on conducting a cooking lesson that will use the vegetables grown in the garden to serve parents healthy meals prepared by their children. Once grown, the vegetables will be distributed throughout the school.

Be Healthy: Bronx Nurses Offer Tips for Fighting ‘Diabesity’

According to the American Diabetes Association, almost one in 10 adult New Yorkers have diabetes, and diabetes has increased 13 percent in New York City since 2002. Almost 20 percent of Latino and Hispanic New Yorkers have diabetes. In New York City during 2007, 23 of every 100,000 Hispanics or Latinos died from diabetes. Contributing to this epidemic? Our soaring rates of obesity.

Bronx Notes: Free Melanoma and Skin Cancer Screenings on Saturday

The Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care and Montefiore Medical Center’s Division of Dermatology are offering free melanoma/skin cancer screenings for people of all ages on Saturday, May 11, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care, 1521 Jarret Place.