Great American Smokeout

November 15, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

CANFIELD — The American Cancer Society marks the 34th Great American Smokeout on Thursday by encouraging smokers and other tobacco users to use this date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit on that day. By doing so, they will take an important step toward a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

Smokers who want to quit can call the American Cancer Society Quit For Life Æ Program operated and managed by Free & Clear Æ at (800) 227-2345 for tobacco cessation and coaching services that can help increase their chances of quitting for good.

The Great American Smokeout Web site (www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans) contains user-friendly tips and tools toward a smoke-free life. In addition to tip sheets and calculators, the site also offers downloadable desktop helpers to assist with planning to quit and succeeding in staying tobacco-free, said Al Stabilito, Northeast Ohio Public Relations Director of the American Cancer Society.

‘Role of Physical Therapy’

YOUNGSTOWN — TuDor Therapies will discuss “The Role of Physical Therapy” at the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Youngstown, 518 E. Indianola Ave., from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday. The VNA staff also is offering weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, general health and mental screenings.

Long-term Care week

COLUMBUS — Governor Ted Strickland has declared this week Long-term Care Comes Home Week in recognition of the nearly two million friends and family members, thousands of direct-care workers and hundreds of home health- provider agencies that enable older and disabled Ohioans to get the care they need in the place they want it most – their homes.

For people looking for a home care provider, the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice provides a searchable database of agencies on www.homecareohio.org.

For those who can’t afford to hire a home care aide or agency, the area agency on aging can help identify resources and match services to their situation through a free long-term care consultation.

Area agencies also provide support programs and resources for family caregivers. Call (866) 243-5678 to be connected to the agency serving your community.

Magee-Womens recognized

PITTSBURGH — Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC has been designated a Stage 6 hospital by HIMSS Analytics, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, which scores hospitals based on their progress in completing eight stages of a paperless patient record environment.

Magee-Womens was recognized for its advanced use of a comprehensive electronic medical record to enhance patient safety.

‘Relay For Life’ rally

AUSTINTOWN — The American Cancer Society’s 2010 “Austintown Relay For Life” kickoff rally is Thursday at 6 p.m. at Austintown Community Church, 242 S. Canfield-Niles Road.

The R.O.C. c. K. Children’s Choir, a choral group of cancer survivors, and family members, will perform. Soft drinks and desserts will be provided.

All current teams, new teams, or others interested are invited to attend. People can attend and learn more about the 2010 Austintown “Relay For Life” scheduled in June of 2010.

For more information, call Francesca Kostek toll free at (888) 227-6446, ext. 2214.

‘The Alzheimer’s Project’

YOUNGSTOWN — Four documentaries comprising “The Alzheimer’s Project” will be shown in November and December at the Mahoning County Senior Center, 1110 Fifth Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon.

To register or for more information, call Tina Goynes at (800) 272-3900. The programs are free and open to the public.

Dates for the showings, which are up-close and personal looks at seven individuals living with Alzheimer’s, each in an advancing state of dementia across the full spectrum of the progression of the disease, are: Tuesday, “The Memory Loss Tapes;” Nov. 24, “Momentum in Science-Part 1;” Dec. 1, “Momentum in Science-Part 2;” Dec. 8, “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?;” Dec. 15, “Caregivers; Opportunities for Communication,” by Jennifer Miller, education coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter.

Thanksgiving Feast

YOUNGSTOWN — The Salvation Army, Mahoning County Area Services, will have its annual Thanksgiving Feast on Nov. 25 at its Southside location, 1501 Glenwood Ave. A Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The meal is free and open to the public.

The Salvation Army will need 35 whole turkeys for the Thanksgiving Feast. Individuals or groups who want to donate a turkey can drop it off at 1501 Glenwood Ave. weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., or call (330) 746-8403.

Angel Giving Tree

YOUNGSTOWN — J.C. Penney Co. and the Salvation Army are joining forces this Christmas season with an Angel Giving Tree program. The last date to adopt an angel is Dec. 9, and the deadline for turning in gifts is Dec. 14. J.C. Penney customers can adopt and shop online for Angels at www.jcp.com/angel to provide children and seniors facing hardship in communities across the country with Christmas gifts.

The new online Angel Giving Tree program builds on the legacy of The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program that has been in operation for more than 40 years.

In collaboration with FedEx Ground, Angel Giving Tree gifts purchased through jcp.com can be shipped free of charge to any one of the 1,200 Salvation Army collection centers nationwide – putting the entire selection, shopping and delivery process at the customer’s fingertips.

Red Kettle Campaign

YOUNGSTOWN — The Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign is underway and will run through Dec. 24. The bells will be ringing at Red Kettle sites throughout Mahoning County from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily except Sundays.

Funds raised by the Red Kettle Campaign, the largest single annual fundraiser by The Salvation Army, represents 75 percent of The Salvation Army’s annual budget.