PS
Veterans and Active Duty Military eat free today at Applebees

Source: Applebees.com, YouTube.com

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Stop Diabetes is a movement that will encourage people across America to take action against this disease. You can support this movement by sharing your personal story about how diabetes has affected your life with others. Spread the word about the Stop Diabetes movement with your friends, family and coworkers.

Here are a few statistics about life and death with diabetes:

Source: diabetes.org, webmd.com

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Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women (the first is skin cancer). Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 35 to 54. Another breast cancer fact is that approximately one is almost every eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2009, approximately 192,370 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and approximately 40,610 will die.

These breast cancer statistics may sound grim but there are things women can do and be encouraged to do. In fact, research shows that the mortality rate could decrease by 30% if all women age 50 and older who need a mammogram had one.

Everyday people, companies, government, schools, etc. are working hard to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefront. Breast cancer walks, breast cancer fundraisers, PSAs and breast cancer merchandise (specifically that donates proceeds towards breast cancer research foundations) are all ways these groups are coming together to make a difference.

Check out how the students at Ozark High School in Missouri came together to support their school nurse who is currently fighting breast cancer.

You can make a difference. Get a mammogram. Donate your time. Help someone in need. Give your love.

Sources: ky3.com, WebMD.com

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September 28, 2009 - Seattle - Philips announced today that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 5,400 HeartStart FR2+ automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This recall is being conducted due to the possibility of a memory chip failure that may render the device inoperable. Only certain HeartStart FR2+ AEDs (models M3860A and M3861A, distributed by Philips; and models M3840A and M3841A, distributed by Laerdal Medical) manufactured between May, 2007 and January, 2008 are included in the voluntary recall.

The HeartStart FR2+ defibrillators are used by trained responders and designated response teams to help treat sudden cardiac arrest. The device automatically analyzes the heart rhythm and determines whether a defibrillation shock is needed. If a shockable rhythm is detected, the FR2+ instructs the responder to deliver defibrillation therapy.

Philips has received reports of a memory chip failure in a small number of FR2+ units manufactured in 2007 and early 2008. These reported failures were detected during routine self tests, not during emergency use of the AED. Failure of this chip could render the AED inoperable and prevent it from delivering therapy when indicated, although Philips has received no reports of injury associated with this chip failure.

The AEDs affected by this recall have been distributed globally to fire departments, emergency medical services, hospitals, and other organizations. Philips is contacting customers to arrange for the return and replacement of all the recalled AEDs by sending notification letters to distributors and users. In addition, the company has set up a page on the Philips Web site with a serial number look-up tool to allow customers to find out if their FR2+ is part of this recall, as well as instructions on what to do if it is. The Web page is www.philips.com/FR2PlusAction. 

Philips has notified the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) of its decision to voluntarily recall the affected product. Customers who have questions about the recall or wish to report product problems may contact HeartStart Customer Service at 1-800-263-3342. 

Any adverse events experienced with the use of this product should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088, by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch Web site at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Source: FDA.gov

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The CDC considers people 6 months to 24 years old at high risk yet according to an Associated Press-GfK poll 38 percent of parents said they were unlikely to give permission for their kids to be vaccinated at school.

Adults seem to have very mixed feelings about the swine flu vaccination, regardless of what profession they’re in.

Will there be side effects somewhere down the road? What about thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that will be in roughly 60 percent of the 225 million swine flu doses ordered for Americans?

If you’re in the “what if” crowd you’re not the only one.  If it’s the thimerosal you’re concerned about know that it is not in the FluMist nasal spray, which can be given to healthy kids age 2 and older.

Steps on how to prevent season influenza and swine flu have been drilled into our heads: practice the “Dracula Sneeze,” wash your hands, stay home if you’re sick, get the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccinations, but at the end of the day what choices will you commit to?

Sources: Associated Press, MercuryNews.com

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Everyone (hopefully) understands they should cover their cough and sneeze however using your bare hand to do it is passé.

If you use your bare hand to cover your cough and sneeze those germs are going to hang out on your hand and chances are pretty good you’re going to touch something before you are able to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer thus spreading germs.

If you find the “Dracula Sneeze” method on the more gross side carry some Kleenex or whatever brand of tissue you like with you. Catch the sneeze or cough in the Kleenex, toss it in the garbage can and immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

This all sounds rather rudimentary but how many times have you been out in public and seen someone let loose a series of coughs or sneezes and just turn their head? Those little germ particles are not only landing somewhere but sticking to that somewhere for who knows how long (it varies due to the specific virus and surface).

Cold and flu season is upon us – it’s never an excuse to say the cough or sneeze “just came out of nowhere” to justify not covering it. Don’t most coughs and sneezes come out of nowhere?

Sources: latimes.com, sacbee.com

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There’s a prescribed antiviral flu medicine called Tamiflu. Some people think only the person who has the flu virus should take it. However, if you personally have been exposed to someone who has the flu taking Tamiflu can help keep the virus from making you sick.

So, here’s the dealio (the facts) of Tamiflu:

• Tamiflu is a medicine that must be taken within 12 to 48 hours from the first appearance of flu symptoms

For flu treatment: When taken within two days of experiencing symptoms, Tamiflu works by helping to stop the flu virus from spreading inside the body

For flu prevention: When you have been exposed to someone with the flu, taking Tamiflu can help keep the virus from making you sick

• Tamiflu is effective for adults and children aged one year and older
• Tamiflu is the #1 doctor-prescribed medicine for flu treatment
• Tamiflu is not a substitute for the flu shot (getting a flu vaccination is your first line of defense in flu prevention)
• In flu treatment studies of patients who took Tamiflu within 48 hours of the first appearance of symptoms:

Adults felt better 30 percent faster (1.3 days) than flu patients who did not take Tamiflu

Children felt better up to 26 percent faster (1.5 days) than flu patients who did not take Tamiflu

Source: Tamiflu.com

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The US Department of Health & Human Services has their own special YouTube page featuring videos submitted by everyday people about steps you can take to prevent the spread of the flu.

Of course the tips in these videos are all common sense and courtesy (wash your hands, cough into your sleeve, stay home if you’re sick, carry a flu kit) but the videos are still fun to watch and best yet you have until September 16th to vote on which one is your favorite. The winner will receive a $2500 cash prize.

While you’re bebopping around on the web test your “Readiness Quotient” on WhatsYourRQ.org and see how you rank against people in your area. Are you prepared in the event of an emergency? Do you have a first aid kit handy? How about a flashlight and backup batteries?

For old time’s sake:

Sources: Flu.gov, WhatsYourRQ.org, YouTube.com

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So, what are some of the items the Halloween Scream Queen puts in her first aid kit? Just like everyday people Jamie Lee has the basics such as a flashlight, first aid supplies, radio, dental floss, food and water.

She also taped a short video on ideas and general tips on what to put in an emergency kit so that you are prepared. Check it out and tell us what’s in your emergency first aid kit.

Get a Kit. Make a Plan. Be Informed.

Sources: Ready.gov, RedCross.org

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