Inside This Issue

Supported in part by

Komen Northeast Honors Grantees 2

Cruisin for Cancer 2

Breast Cancer Stretch Class 3

Did You Know? 4

Night at the Oscars 5

Calendar 6

Words of Inspiration 6

Help is Needed!If you have any suggestions for articles for the quarterly ANGEL Network newsletter, contact Linda Stevens-Butts at 330-452-6906 or email stevensL7@aol.com. Articles for the next newsletter are due by October 1, 2013.

E-Newsletter AvailableWant to receive the ANGEL newsletter electronically? Submit your email address to becky.bondoni@cantonmercy.org. Help us conserve our natural resources and reduce printing and mailing costs.

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August 2013

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in your body and in many foods that your body needs. But, when you have too much in your blood, it can build

up on the walls of your arteries. This can lead to heart disease and stroke.

There are two kinds of cholesterol – high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is referred to as the “good” cholesterol, while LDL is called the “bad” cholesterol. When we speak about high cholesterol, we are talking about “bad” LDL cholesterol.

The Good, the Bad, and the TriglyceridesMany people are unaware that three different types of cholesterol are working in their bodies.

Q: What is HDL?

A: HDL is the good cholesterol in your body. We want more good cholesterol. If you have over 60 mg/dL in your blood, you are actually protecting your heart from heart disease.

Q: What is LDL?

A: LDL is the bad cholesterol in your body. We want to lower this number. If you have more than 100 mg/dL of LDL in your blood, you are putting yourself at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Q: What are Triglycerides?

A: Triglycerides are a form of fat in the body. If you have more than 150 mg/dL of triglycerides in your blood, you are putting yourself at risk for a heart attack or stroke.

What role does screening play?Screening is the key to detecting high cholesterol. High cholesterol does not have symptoms. As a result, many people do not know that their cholesterol is too high. Doctors can do a simple blood test to check patients’ levels.

September is Cholesterol Awareness Month

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The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) recommends that adults 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every five years.

In national surveys done from 2005-2009, the number of people who said they were screened for cholesterol within five years increased from 73 to 76 percent. However, only a handful of states met the 80 percent Healthy People 2020 objective, and disparities persist among socio-demographic groups.

How can you prevent or control high cholesterol?Make therapeutic lifestyle changes by eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet and being physically active most days of the week:

• Eat high fiber foods (fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts, 100% whole grains, oat/oat bran).

• Consume more monounsaturated fats (use olive, canola, or peanut oil; consume nuts/seeds, avocados) and omega 3 fatty acids (fatty fish, such as mackerel, trout, herring, salmon, flax seed, nuts).

• Limit saturated fat (aim for low fat or non-fat dairy products and lean meats; limit fried foods.

• Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on all or most days of the week.

• Maintain a healthy weight.

• Don’t smoke. If you smoke, try and quit.

Have your cholesterol levels checked every five years and be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and stay on your medication, if prescribed, to control your cholesterol.

Resource: www.cdc.gov and www.summithealth.org

Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio hosted its seventh annual Grantee Luncheon on May 16 at the Summit County Public Library in Akron. This is an opportunity to recognize the organizations awarded grant funds for education, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivor support programs within Komen Northeast Ohio’s 22 counties. Over 50 people from the 11 grant funded organization attended, along with Komen Northeast Ohio board members, staff and volunteers.

The opportunity for the grantees to network helps them discover new and innovative approaches to promote and implement successful breast health programs in the communities they serve.

Mercy Breast Care Center was awarded a grant to continue offering mammograms to uninsured and underinsured women in our community, continue with breast cancer survivor support programs and continue outreach programs to educate women and men regarding good breast health.

September is Cholesterol Awareness Month(continued from page 1)

Komen Northeast Ohio Honors 2013-2014 Grantees

Cruisin for CancerCruisin for Cancer was held June 15 at Metzger Park in Louisville. This annual event, which includes food, raffles and a craft boutique, raised over $7,513 for Mercy Cancer Center. Perry and Rhonda Griffin have graciously designated Mercy Cancer Center as the beneficiary of their annual event since 2010. Proceeds assist uninsured and underinsured patients and support services and programs of Mercy Cancer Center and Mercy Breast Care Center.

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Breast

Cancer STRETCH Class

This class incorporates stretching, muscular endurance and cardiovascular activity to help survivors rehabilitate both mentally and physically from the effects of breast cancer. Special attention will be given to education about lymphedema, range of motion and

strength issues associated with non/surgical cancer treatments. Participants of any fitness

level are encouraged to attend, including those who may need to sit during classes.

STRETCHStrength • Through • Recreation

Exercise • Togetherness • Caring • Health

No classes will be held when the university is closed due to weather emergencies, holidays or during spring break.

PRE-REGISTRATION AND PHYSICIAN CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED.

Call the Kent State University at Stark Fitness and Recreation Center at 330-244-3392,

or email Stacie M. Humm, academic program coordinator, at shumm2@kent.edu.

Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10 - 11 a.m.Instructor: Stacie Humm

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Did You Know?

No matter how old you are, the fact is that staying active can help you:

• Keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent.

• Have more energy to do the things you want to do.• Improve your balance.• Prevent or delay some diseases like heart disease,

diabetes and osteoporosis.• Perk up your mood and reduce depression.

You don’t need to buy special clothes or belong to a gym to become more active. Physical activity can and should be part of your everyday life. Find things you like to do. Go for brisk walks. Ride a bike. Dance. Work around the house. Garden. Climb stairs. Swim. Rake leaves. Try different kinds of activities that keep you moving. Look for new ways to build physical activity into your daily routine.

Four Ways to Be ActiveTo get all the benefits of physical activity, try all four types of exercise – endurance, strength, balance and flexibility.

1. Try to build up to at least 30 minutes of activity that makes you breathe hard on most or all days of the week. Every day is best. That’s called an endurance activity because it builds your energy or “staying power.” You don’t have to be active for 30 minutes all at once. Ten minutes at a time is fine.

How hard do you need to push yourself? If you can talk without any trouble at all, you are not working hard enough. If you can’t talk at all, it’s too hard.

Exercise and Physical Activity: Get Fit For Life

2. Keep using your muscles. Strength exercises build muscles. When you have strong muscles, you can get up from a chair by yourself, you can lift your grandchildren, and you can walk through the park.

Keeping your muscles in shape helps prevent falls, which can result in problems like broken hips. You are less likely to fall when leg and hip muscles are strong.

3. Do things to help your balance. Try standing on one foot, then the other. If you can, don’t hold on to anything for support. Get up from a chair without using your hands or arms. Every now and then walk heel-to-toe. As you walk, put the heel of one foot just in front of the toes of the other foot. Your heel and toes should touch or almost touch.

4. Stretching can improve your flexibility. Moving more freely will make it easier for you to reach down to tie your shoes or look over your shoulder when you back the car out of the driveway. Stretch when your muscles are warmed up. Don’t stretch so far that it hurts.

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Who Should Exercise?Almost everyone, at any age, can do some type of physical activity. You can still exercise even if you have a health condition like heart disease or diabetes. In fact, physical activity may help. For most older adults, brisk walking, riding a bike, swimming, weight lifting, and gardening are safe, especially if you build up slowly. But, check with your doctor if you are over 50 and you aren’t use to energetic activity. Other reasons to check with your doctor before you exercise include:

• Any new symptom you haven’t discussed with your doctor

• Dizziness or shortness of breath• Chest pain or pressure or the feeling that your heart is

skipping, racing, or fluttering• Blood clots• An infection or fever with muscle aches• Unplanned weight loss• Foot or ankle sores that won’t heal• Joint swelling• A bleeding or detached retina, eye surgery, or laser

treatment• A hernia• Recent hip or back surgery

Safety TipsHere are some things you can do to make sure you are exercising safely:

• Start slowly, especially if you haven’t been active for a long time. Little by little build up your activities and how hard you work at them.

• Don’t hold your breath during strength exercises. That could cause changes in your blood pressure. It may seem strange at first, but you should breathe out as you lift something, and breathe in as you relax.

• Use safety equipment. For example, wear a helmet for bike riding or the right shoes for walking or jogging.

• Unless your doctor has asked you to limit fluids, be sure to drink plenty when you are doing activities. Many older adults don’t feel thirsty even if their body needs fluids.

• Always bend forward from the hips, not from the waist. If you keep your back straight, you’re probably bending the right way. If your back “humps,” that’s probably wrong.

• Warm up your muscles before you stretch. Try walking and light arm pumping first.

Exercise should not hurt or make you feel really tired. You might feel some soreness, a little discomfort, or a bit weary, but you should not feel pain. In fact in many ways, being active will probably make you feel better.

For More InformationLocal fitness centers or hospitals might be able to help you find a physical activity program that works for you. You also can check with nearby religious groups, senior and civic centers, parks, recreation associations, YMCAs, YWCAs, or even area shopping malls for exercise, wellness or walking programs.

Resource: www.nia.hih.gov – National Institute on Aging

Cancer Survivors Enjoy Night at the OscarsIn honor of National Cancer Survivor Day, Mercy

Cancer Center hosted Night at the Oscars on June

18 at Christ the Servant Parish. Approximately

120 survivors and guests attended, many dressed

as their favorite celebrities. The event featured

red-carpet photos, Oscar-themed awards for each

survivor, refreshments and a free screening of the

film, “Jonna’s Body, Please Hold,” a comedy about

three-time cancer survivor Jonna Tamases.

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The ANGEL Network mission is to reduce the number of deaths within the African American

female population by offering early detection programs, access to screening, and empowering African American women on breast health practices so that they will take an active part in their own health care.

All women are at risk for breast cancer. But statistics show that although there is a lower incidence of breast cancer in African American women, there is a much higher mortality rate as compared to women of other races.

THE ANGEL NETWORK

What is an ANGEL?• OneVoiceAtATime–Women

raising awareness in our community about the ANGEL Network and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure.

• Certifiedbreasthealthadvocatesprovide education and guidelines on good breast health to women of all ages, but especially those 40 and older. ANGELS are breast health advocates teaching instructional breast exams to fellow women.

• ANGELS help women navigate the health care system so they have easy access to mammograms, breast exams and pelvic exams.

• ANGELS identify fellow women who need breast exams, mammograms, transportation and sometimes just a comforting and understanding ear.

• ANGELS help with the ANGEL education booth at health fairs and community events.

Dates toRemember

Upcoming Events &

Please mark your calendars!

2013 ANGEL Network Meeting Dates: Mercy Hall Auditorium Monday,Aug.19•5:30p.m.Monday,Nov.18•5:30p.m.

American Heart Association Heart Walk Saturday,Sept.21•8:30a.m.Kent State Stark Campus

Akron/Canton 2013 Walk to Cure DiabetesSaturday,Sept.28•8:30a.m.Kent State Stark Campus

Faith in PinkSaturday, Oct. 5, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Mercy Hall Auditorium Anyone interested in singing in an ANGEL choir for Faith in Pink please contact Carol Dickey at 330-354-1117.

2013 Senior Citizens ForumThursday,Oct.17•9a.m.–1p.m.Mayfield Senior Center

WORDS OF INSPIRATIONPut Your Problems in God’s Hands for

He Completely Understands

Although it sometimes seems to us our prayers have not been heard,God always knows our every need without a single word,And He will not forsake us even though the way is steep,For always He is near to us, a tender watch to keep…And in good time He will answer us, and in His love He’ll sendGreater things than we have asked and blessings without end…So though we do not understand why trouble comes to man,Can we not be contented just to know it is God’s plan?

~ Helen Steiner Rice