A group of Kent State University public health graduate students is applying classroom lessons to address a real-life need in their community.
Students in the Public Health Programs: Planning, Implementation and Evaluation class are planning a food drive to benefit Kent Social Services’ food pantry, the Lord’s Pantry.
The students will distribute paper bags donated by the Franklin Township Acme Fresh Market store throughout the Kent community on April 2. Residents are being asked to fill the bags with nonperishable food and personal care items, which the students will collect later in the week on April 6.
Donations also are being accepted April 6 at Kent Social Services, 1066 S. Water St.
“Students participating in the course get a real-world, hands-on experience in planning, implementing and evaluating a public health program,” said Deric Kenne, a Kent State College of Public Health assistant professor who is teaching the class. “At the same time, students are able to contribute to the community.”
Last year, the students’ food drive collected more than 4,000 food and personal care item donations. The event was the pantry’s largest one-time donation.
For more information about Kent State’s College of Public Health, go online to www.kent.edu/publichealth.
Purses for charity
The Friends of Akron Children’s Hospital is seeking donations of new or gently used purses, wallets, totes and beach bags for an upcoming fundraising event.
The Purses Are Like Friends Luncheon will take place 11:30 a.m. April 16 at Fairlawn Country Club, 200 N. Wheaton Road, Akron.
Donated purses and other items will be auctioned during the event, with proceeds benefiting the Palliative Care Center at Akron Children’s Hospital.
Donations are being accepted through Monday at these drop-off locations:
• Akron Children’s Hospital Volunteer Department or Foundation, 1 Perkins Square.
• Ciriello and Carr Funeral Home, 39 S. Miller Road, Fairlawn.
• Ciriello and Carr Funeral Home, 810 Portage Trail, Cuyahoga Falls.
• Allure Nail Salon, 2012 Chestnut Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls.
• Akron Coin & Jewelry Inc., 3255 Manchester Road.
The luncheon is $18 for adults and $10 for children. Registration deadline is April 6. Contact Joan Rodgers at 330-794-9144 or Linda Churchman at 330-666-5844.
Alzheimer’s costs up
An estimated one-in-three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new report released this month by the Alzheimer’s Association.
According to the nonprofit group’s annual Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, 450,000 Americans will die this year with the disease.
The report estimates the cost of care for Alzheimer’s is expected to increase from $203 billion this year to $1.2 trillion in 2050.
“The number of Americans dying with Alzheimer’s confirms that this cruel disease is an emerging global killer on the scale of cancer and heart disease,” George Vradenburg, chairman of USAgainstAlzheimer’s and member of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, said in a prepared statement.
Allergy sufferers beware
Warmer weather patterns are leading to longer allergy seasons that are starting earlier for many Americans, according to a new article in this month’s Harvard Health Letter.
“When winter is shorter and less severe, it means there will be pollens and molds present for a longer period of time,” Dr. Stacey Gray, an allergy expert at the Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, said in the article.
In addition to using antihistamines, nasal sprays, or decongestants, Gray suggested these tips for minimizing exposure to tree pollen and other allergens:
• Make sure air conditioning and heating filters and vents are clean.
• Close windows.
• Consider wearing a mask while doing yard work.
• Avoid going outdoors when pollen levels are highest.
• Use nasal saline irrigations after being outdoors for an extended time.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or cpowell@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow Powell on Twitter at twitter.com/abjcherylpowell.