Facts about Alzheimer’s

Posted on May.14.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

People interested in learning about memory loss and issues related to dementia have a place to go. The Alzheimer’s Association presents the Get the Facts education series during a Wednesday each month through August.

The free series will take place at the Marshall Professional Building, 1301 Rice Lake Road in Duluth, beginning Wednesday. The other dates are June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21. Each session is 7-8 p.m.

Topics covered include how to identify warning signs, get a diagnosis, plan for the future and maintain an optimal level of social, mental and physical health.

UMD sorority raising awareness with #KidneyForKelsey

Posted on May.7.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

The gals from the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority at the University of Minnesota Duluth are trying to help one of their sisters.

Kelsey Krautkremer was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2009 and was told in March that she’s down to 18 percent kidney function, according to sorority sister Cassie Gazzolo.

Krautkremer has started the process of being placed on the national deceased donor list. But the average wait time for type-O blood is three to six years, and she has been told she has weeks to months before she’ll need live-saving help.

Phi Sigma Sigma, along with Krautkremer’s family and friends, has been raising money and awareness, including on Twitter with the hashtag #KidneyForKelsey, about her condition. Gazzolo said all money raised this week will go toward the expenses of Krautkremer’s eventual kidney donor and any uncovered medical expenses.

Donations are welcome at a YouCaring.com page set up for Krautkremer.

Free jump rope at the Y

Posted on April.11.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

Want a free jump rope? The Eh? desk isn’t eligible, but it sure wishes it was.

The first 500 lucky kids are, though, at the Duluth Y Healthy Kids Day from noon to 4 p.m. April 20.

The free event offers pool paddle-boarding, rock-wall climbing, learning bike signals, petting animals from the Lake Superior Zoo, music by the Steel Drummers from the College of St. Scholastica and sports mascots Clifford and Champ. There will be healthy snacks and raffles throughout the day.

The event is being held for parents to get ideas on summer activities at the Y. Call the member service desk at (218) 722-4745, ext. 100, with questions.

Healthy questions

Posted on March.29.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

If you’re on Medicare or soon to be retired, here’s a chance to get some of your health insurance questions answered.

Senior LinkAge Line staff and volunteers will be available on April 10 and April 24 through the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission’s Area Agency at 221 W. First St.

Appointments can be made by calling Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433.

No fee is charged, but donations are appreciated.

‘Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition’ coming to Wisconsin

Posted on March.26.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

“Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition” is looking for “super obese” contestants for Season 4 of the TV reality show and will be in Wisconsin next week. Producers are about to embark on a 13-city tour to find participants. Best bet for the “Makeover” curious is a stop near Milwaukee: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 6, Planet Fitness, 6529 S. 27th St., Franklin, Wis.

The show features specialist Chris Powell, who works with “super obese” people for a 365-day period of transformation that includes shedding hundreds of pounds and offering tips on nutrition and exercise.

Iron Range youth kick butts

Posted on March.20.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

Youth from the Iron Range are gathering this evening to demonstrate their advocacy for a tax increase on cigarettes in Minnesota.

More than 150 members of Iron Range Youth in Action and their families will gather at 6:30 p.m. at Silber Lake Beach in Virginia, according to the American Lung Association of Minnesota, which is joining them in the event.

At 7 p.m., they’ll be sending 160 sky lanterns over the lake (don’t worry, the 3-foot-tall lanterns are biodegradable). The number of lanterns represents the proposed $1.60-per-pack tax increase.

They’ll also roast s’mores on the beach because they are advocating for s’more tobacco taxes, the lung association’s news release said.

The event is part of Kick Butts Day, a national day of activism that encourages young people to speak out against tobacco.

Cash to quit

Posted on March.19.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

Need a reason to quit smoking, or at least an incentive to drop the habit?

Quit Plan is offering $5,000 to someone who signs up in March and quits during April. Even if you don’t win the $5,000, smokers with a pack-a-day habit will save more than $2,000 and add 56 days of life for each smoke-free year, according to the organization.

HIV support group

Posted on March.16.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

Howard Maki, board chairman of the Northland Gay Men’s Center, announced recently the formation of the Duluth Superior HIV Support Group.

The group is for anyone, regardless of health status, ages 19 and older looking for information about HIV. Meetings, which are free, take place at 7 p.m. the first and third Mondays of each month in the lower level of the Building for Women, 32 E. First St., in downtown Duluth. The group networks with the Minnesota Aids Project, RAAN, Lutheran Social Services and ARCW, Maki said.

Call (218) 722-8585 or e-mail duluthsuperiorhivsupport@gmail.com.

American Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser

Posted on March.14.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life’s eighth annual silent auction is 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 22, with live auction after, at Greysolon Plaza.

The Mark Anderson Trio will perform at the event, hosted by the Sisters of Sagalott Relay for Life team, which includes appetizers, a cash bar and surprises.

Admission is a $5 donation at the door. Free parking is available in the ramp across Third Avenue East.

Have marrow, will donate

Posted on March.12.2013 by Jimmy Bellamy

Northland residents can register Wednesday to be bone-marrow donors in an event sponsored by students from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy’s Duluth campus.

Registration will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lower level of the University of Minnesota Duluth bookstore.

To register, you need to be between 18 and 55 years old and in good general health. People who registered will be listed on the Be the Match Registry, which is operated by the National Marrow Donor Program, as a potential donor for a patient in need of a bone-marrow transplant.

The process is painless — it involves a cheek swab and completing a registration form.

Eh? Plus

Offbeat tidbits and news you can use from the Duluth (Minn.) News Tribune

Category Archives: Health