Health & Wellness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Rainy River District Breast Health Network would like to announce some activities that will be taking place.
This Saturday (Oct. 8) from 10 a.m.-noon, volunteers will be at various locations around Fort Frances handing out information about upcoming activities.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation extends its congratulations to the election hopefuls of Thunder Bay-Superior North, Thunder Bay-Atikokan, and Kenora-Rainy River for having the highest percentage of candidates in Ontario ridings to “go healthy!”

Even if major home renovations aren’t on the horizon for this fall, homeowners still should add fire safety to their “to-do” list as the colder weather settles in.
Heading into the fall season, the local fire department sees an “increase in occurrences,” said local fireman and fire safety specialist Wayne Riches, including chimney fires.

The Riverside Foundation for Health Care and Shoppers Drug Mart once again are partnering in an effort to raise funds in support of women’s whole health in Rainy River District through the 10th-annual “Tree of Life” campaign.

“Urban Poling” has arrived in the district as a new way to get people up and moving.
It is a combination between cross-country skiing for the upper body and walking for the lower body, explained Aimee Beazley, the Urban Aboriginal Healthy Living program worker with the United Native Friendship Centre here.

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually from Oct. 1-7.
This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding Support: Stay Connected.”
During World Breastfeeding Week 2011, the Northwestern Health Unit is encouraging new mothers to stay connected through local support groups, parenting programs, and the social media.

Hepatitis B is one of several viral infections that can affect the liver.
Hepatitis B is spread by contact with body fluids–blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva—and can be passed to newborns from infected mothers.
At least half of those infected have no symptoms, but all of those who are infected can pass the virus on to other people.

The Canadian Celiac Association is the national voice for people who are diversely affected by gluten, and is dedicated to improving diagnosis and quality of life.
Come and join us next Tuesday (Sept. 27) at 7 p.m. in Room 160 at Fort Frances High School.

A community walk and guest speaker will mark this year’s Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day locally.
Held every Sept. 9, local organizers are hoping to get the message out about the day and hopefully have even more people involved, noted Erin McMahon, aboriginal FASD and child nutrition worker with the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre here.

It’s not too late to sign up to participate in the annual “Ride for Memories,” a fundraiser for the local Alzheimer Society, which is set to go tomorrow.