Enter to Win a Free Colonoscopy from Southeastern Med
Written By: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, March 4, 2013 – Yes, you read that headline correct. One lucky resident of Guernsey or Noble County will win a free colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer courtesy of Southeastern Med.
To enter the drawing, please visit www.seormc.org to download an entry form and email the completed form to jjfannin@seormc.org with the subject line: Free Colonoscopy. You may also stop by the information desk in the lobby at Southeastern Med to fill out an entry form. The entry deadline is April 5, and the drawing will take place on April 8.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. among cancers that affect both men and women. It surpasses both breast and prostate cancers in mortality, and second only to lung cancer in numbers of cancer deaths.
In recognition of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, physicians at Southeastern Med encourage everyone to begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, and then continue to be screened regularly. If caught early, colon cancer has a high cure rate, but many people choose not to get screened until symptoms occur.
Colorectal cancer affects the colon or the rectum. It starts with a single cell that mutates and grows into a visible polyp, which then may develop into cancer. Effective screening tests identify the presence of cancer early, when treatment is most effective. The U.S Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends colorectal cancer screening for men and women aged 50-75 using a stool test, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease may need to begin screening younger.
“Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer do not always cause symptoms, especially at first,” said Michael Sarap, surgeon with Southeastern Ohio Physicians, Inc. and Southeastern Med medical staff member. “Regular screenings are especially important because the earliest stages of colorectal cancer occur in people with no known risk factors for the disease. Screening tests also detect pre-cancerous polyps, which can easily be removed before they ever become cancer.”
Southeastern Med also provides free stool screening kits to test for blood in the privacy in of your own home, as well as free colonoscopies to those who are uninsured or underinsured.
To receive more information about colorectal cancer, a free screening kit or to find out if you qualify for a free colonoscopy, please call Jen Fannin, manager of Cancer Registry at Southeastern Med, at 740-439-8156.
Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc Donates Robes for Mastectomy Patients at Cambridge Regional Cancer Center
Contact: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
Pictured above are Jim Hess, a radiation therapist at the Cambridge Regional Cancer Center; Ali Robinson, treasurer of the Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc.; Laura Carpenter, the operations coordinator at the Cambridge Regional Cancer Center; and Kathy Blass, president of the Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc.
Erin Mayo, a radiation therapist at the Cambridge Cancer Center demonstrates the robes discreet openings on Ali Robinson, treasurer of the Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc.
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, March 4, 2013 - The Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc. recently donated fashionable treatment robes for patients at the Cambridge Regional Cancer Center through funds raised at its Driving Fore A Cure Golf Classic tournaments held annually in Morgantown, W.Va. and Wheeling, W.Va.
“These robes provide breast cancer patients modesty and make treatments easier with convenient and discreet openings in the front and back,” said Jim Hess, radiation therapist at the Cambridge Regional Cancer Center. “They also have interior pouches so mastectomy patients can keep their drainage bags, monitors and pumps private.”
Proceeds raised from this special golf tournament benefit local breast cancer patients in the Ohio Valley. Other contributions the Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc. has made to cancer programs in the Ohio Valley include:
- Softee Camisoles for mastectomy patients;
- Sling bag back pack with blanket for use when receiving chemo therapy; and
- Strength for Life, an exercise program to increase self confidence and quality of life after breast cancer.
Southeastern Med expanded cancer services by purchasing the Cambridge Regional Cancer Center from the American Oncology Associates, Inc. in August 2012. The Cambridge Regional Cancer Center offers advanced hematology and medical oncology services for patients with many different types of cancer, including breast, lung, colon and genitourinary cancers, as well as benign and malignant blood disorders, such as anemia, lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma. The Cancer Center is currently awaiting equipment to begin radiation therapy in early spring.
For more information about the Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, Inc., please visit drivingforeacause.net. For more information about the Cambridge Regional Cancer Center, please call 740-439-2771.
Kimbolton Child Donates to Southeastern Med for 7th Consecutive Year
Contact: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
Calvin Ringer and his sister, Kaylee, present their contribution to the pediatric unit at Southeastern Med. Pictured sitting is Destiny Dennison, 7, of Cambridge, a pediatric patient at the hospital. Standing are Ray Chorey, President and CEO of Southeastern Med; Kaylee Ringer; and Calvin Ringer. This is the seventh consecutive year Calvin and Kaylee have donated money for this specific purpose.
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Dec. 27, 2012 – For the seventh consecutive year, Calvin Ringer, a 12-year-old from Kimbolton, has donated his hard earned money to Southeastern Med’s Pediatric Unit.
With the help from his parents, Matt and Cathy, and sister, Kaylee, Calvin proudly donated $1,200. In addition to his donation, Colgate-Palmolive Co., in Cambridge, where Calvin’s dad works, will match the donation.
Calvin began making and selling Christmas ornaments in 2006 to donate the proceeds to Southeastern Med’s Pediatric Unit. In 2009, he began selling hanging flower baskets during Mother’s Day weekend at Medi-Wise Pharmacy in Newcomerstown.
Since 2006, Calvin has donated more than $5,200 to Southeastern Med’s Pediatric Unit. Colgate-Palmolive Co. generously began matching his contributions in 2009.
If you, your family, organization or business would like to make a contribution or match Calvin’s hard-earned donation to benefit Southeastern Med’s patients, please call Debbie Stillion at 740-439-8106. Donations of any monetary amount are accepted year round, and donors can request their contribution be spent on a specific department or service.
Southeastern Med Enforces Strict Hospital Visitation Policy
Written by: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Dec. 19, 2012 – Effective immediately, Southeastern Med will restrict visitors in an effort to prevent the spread of influenza from its patients and the children in the community.
Anyone under the age of 18 is not permitted in the hospital unless the person is there for treatment. Visitors are limited to a patient’s immediate family and support personnel with a maximum of two visitors per patient. Anyone who has a respiratory illness or a fever is also not permitted into the hospital unless the person is there for treatment.
“We appreciate the community’s cooperation as we implement visitor restrictions to prevent the spread of the flu,” said Cathy McIntire, RN, CNOR, director of Infection Prevention at Southeastern Med. “We apologize for the inconvenience that the visitor restrictions may cause to family members and friends, but this measure is a necessary precaution to protect patients.”
Aside from visitor restrictions, Southeastern Med is also encouraging all visitors to wash their hands or use the hand sanitizer, located at all facility entrances, elevators and patient rooms, before and after a visit. Masks are also available for visitor protection upon request and at hospital entrances.
Jumpstart Weight Loss Resolutions with Group Lifestyle Balance
Written by: Kelli Koch
Marketing/Communications Specialist
Southeastern Med
kjkoch@seormc.org
Kathy Kraizel’s before and after photos. Kraizel has successfully lost 46.5 pounds since joining Southeastern Med’s Group Lifestyle Balance Program in March.
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio, Nov. 29, 2012 – Every year, many people finish up the holiday season with a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight – and for good reason. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two out of every three Americans are overweight or obese.
To help individuals meet their healthy weight loss and exercise goals, Southeastern Med, in conjunction with the Cambridge YMCA, will offer the Group Lifestyle Balance™ (GLB) program beginning Jan. 8. GLB is a diabetes prevention and education program created to provide a fun and supportive way to learn how to eat healthy and increase physical activity for a lifetime.
“Most weight loss plans are fads that offer short-term solutions to a long-term problem, “said Chelsea Masters, RD, Registered Dietitian at Southeastern Med and a GLB Program Leader. “Many people find these plans impossible to stay on for a lengthy period of time. Group Lifestyle Balance offers a positive change in lifestyle, where permanent weight loss and maintenance is a result of enjoyable exercise and diet. By balancing food intake and exercise, you can achieve your ideal weight.”
In 2012, Southeastern Med offered three GLB classes to the community. To date, the 57 participants have lost more than 670 pounds through tracking food portions, calories, fat and physical activity. At the midpoint blood draws, participants who had high cholesterol at the start of the program improved an average of 31.2 points. Those with borderline high cholesterol improved an average of 27.9 points, and those with normal levels improved an average of 22 points.
Kathy Kraizel, 52, of Byesville, joined GLB in March with the support of her cousin, Marie. “Marie and I were on our way shopping when she stopped by the hospital to sign us both up for the Group Lifestyle Balance Program,” Kathy said. “I had never heard of the program until she twisted my arm that day to register. I am now extremely grateful to her for pushing me in the right direction.”
Since joining the program, Kathy’s blood readings and weight began moving in a positive direction. To date, she has lost 46.5 pounds, improved her cholesterol level by 38 points and completed her first 5K by walking in the Cambridge Main Street/Classic Ford 5K Run/Walk.
Each GLB class offered by Southeastern Med is led by a health care professional who completed the GLB training workshop provided by the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Prevention Support Center. The goals for each GLB participant are to achieve and maintain a weight loss of seven percent, and to safely and gradually increase to 150 minutes per week of moderately intense physical activity similar to a brisk walk.
The group schedule includes 22 sessions during a 12 month period of time. The initial 12 sessions are held weekly with the remaining sessions gradually fading from weekly, to bi-weekly, to finally monthly. “The weekly meetings with weigh-ins and the expectation that I monitor my own activity and calorie intake was just what I needed,” Kathy said. “The educational materials we received were extremely helpful and pertained to real situations. It’s encouraging to be with a group of people whose stories and struggles were familiar. I realized I wasn’t alone.”
The new GLB class will be held weekly on Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. for 12 weeks starting Jan. 8 in the Community Education Room at the Cambridge YMCA. Participants will receive a binder with class materials, a Calorie King and Carbohydrate Counter, a pedometer, an exerband, as well as pre, mid-point and post blood work.
To be eligible for the program, participants must have one the following conditions:
- High blood pressure;
- Pre-diabetes or history of gestational diabetes;
- High cholesterol or triglycerides; or
- Overweight with a body mass index (BMI) above or equal to 25.
The fee for the class is $40. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. Class fee does not include a membership to the YMCA. A YMCA membership is not required to participate in the GLB program. GLB is an education and support program, and all physical activity goals will be completed outside of class. For more information about the class, please call 740-435-2900.
