Health

Bronx Notes: Storm Victim Relief Effort Continues

Those wishing to donate goods to help with the ongoing storm relief effort caused by Hurricane Sandy can bring non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, batteries and clothing to the Kingsbridge Armory, west entrance on Reservoir Avenue between West Kingsbridge Road and West 195th Street. If you want to volunteer, call (718) 473-6993.

Editorial: Lessons From a Marathon

I overcame a barrage of obstacles — physical, mental, even geographical — on my quest to run the New York City Marathon this year. But it was an epic storm seven days before the pay off that finally did me in. Was I disappointed? Yes. Was it the right decision? Absolutely.

Bronx Notes: Stop Smoking Program

North Central Bronx Hospital, 3424 Kossuth Ave., offers free group counseling and nicotine replacement therapy for smokers looking to quit. No appointments are needed or required, walk-ins are welcome. The smoking cessation program runs weekdays at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. in room 13A12. For more information, call (718) 519-2425/2490.

Bronx Notes: Help Clean Tree Pits on Gun Hill Road

Local resident and tree lover Janice Flood is leading a tree pit cleaning effort on Gun Hill Road this Saturday morning, Oct. 13, and needs people to help out. The crew will be meeting at Bainbridge Avenue and Gun Hill Road at 10 a.m. and will be working until 1 p.m. If you want to join, just show up. If you need more information, call Janice at (646) 271-4310.

Op-ed: Medicare Part D Works

As the founder of Women in Progress, a nonprofit in the Bronx that helps women who are rebuilding their lives, I am greatly concerned about proposed changes to Medicare Part D. This is a program that is not only helping women I serve, but is a crucial benefit that provides for the people that serve as their support system — mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Medicare Part D has radically improved the healthcare of over 43 million seniors in America.

Op-ed: To the Men of the Bronx, Mentors Wanted

For many of us, summer brings to mind childhood memories of baseball games, barbeques and trips to the beach. But for thousands of young people in the Bronx who grow up below the poverty line in single-parent households, summer is just another reminder of what they don’t have.

Be Healthy: BP, Hospitals Tout Tour de Bronx Benefits

On Monday afternoon, Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz joined forces with Transportation Alternatives, Montefiore Medical Center, St. Barnabas Hospital and the Bronx Lebanon Medical Center to officially let the world know that the 18th annual Tour de Bronx — the region’s largest free cycling event — will be happening and it will be a good thing for a borough that was recently named the most unhealthy county in the state.

Bronx Notes: Sickle Cell Awareness Fair on Saturday

The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore is hosting a Sickle Cell Awareness Month event and fair for families with children living with sickle cell disease on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Cherkasky Auditiorium inside Montefiore’s Moses Campus (at the Gun Hill Road entrance near Rochambeau Avenue). Learn about: managing your pain, new treatments for sickle cell pain, what is safe and with is not, alternative therapies, staying healthy. Lunch will be served. Arts and crafts will be available for younger children. RSVP to (718) 741-2342.