Health

The Beat the Blues Winter Marathon is a free wellness opportunity being made available to northeast Iowa residents by Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission, Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative and WalkNEIowa.org. Participants can complete one or more marathons between now and March 1 for a chance to win a $50 gift card to a local sports/health business or recreation center of their choice.

Marathon activities that can be part of the event include running, walking, skiing, snowshoeing or biking 26 miles outdoors at the individual’s own pace, or play outside (create forts, build a snowman, sled) for 30 minutes to equal one mile. Participants can then record their mileage on the Mileage Log which can be submitted via email, mail or online. Both online and downloadable Mileage Logs can be found at WalkingNEIowa.org.

Northeast Iowa National Alliance on Mental Illness (NEIA NAMI) offers a weekly free, peer-led support group for adults living with mental illness. The group will meet Thursday evenings from 6:30-8 p.m. at St. Benedict’s Church, located at 307 West Main Street, Decorah.

Attendees will gain insight from hearing the challenges and success of others, and the groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators. NAMI’s Support Groups are unique because they follow a structured model to ensure those in the group have an opportunity to be heard and to get the assistance they may need. For more information call 563-293-6264 or email namineiowa@gmail.com.
 

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Dr. Jim Rixen by Dave and Rita Newton, Marv and Marge Strike, Rich and Jane Strike, Jim and Deb Strike, Neal and Nancy Daley, Bill and Sue Blagsvedt, Wendy Bucheit, Roger and Jeanette Ruegnitz, Randy and Patty Nordheim, Andy and Emily Moore, Kay Sewick, Pat Pettingill, Dr. Steve and Judy Kurth, Dr. Elizabeth Van Dyke, Dave and Laurie Martin, Jim and Linda Ryan, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Dr. Ken and Sharon Olson, Les and Ada Marie Kerndt, Don and Connie Nagel, Carrie Blake, the Purkart Family-Sarah, Frank and Alan, Jim Garrett and Kathy Hannum, Jeff and Linda Obrecht, Steve and Kim Rixen, Margaret Norden, Dr. Bill and Sheila Clair, Dr. Don and Claudia Koeber, Dr. Marshall and Susan Walker, Dennis and Linda DeBuhr, Richard Hermeier and Lee Mc Govern, Joe and Mary Cunningham, Dr. Bill and Libby Withers, Mike and  Teresa Myers, Hacker Nelson & Co, Dr.

Veterans Memorial Hospital began its own Cardiac Rehabilitation unit nearly two decades ago to help fulfill a need in the community - a need that has been and continues to be well utilized.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Half a million people die each year due to this disease. Many people develop symptoms of heart disease when they are in their 40s or 50s, interrupting a most productive time of life. Cardiac Rehabilitation is an important tool in the fight against heart disease. Rehabilitation involves monitored exercise, nutritional counseling, emotional support and education about lifestyle changes to reduce risks of heart problems.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested in playing Thursday, February 21. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if they are not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month in the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen.  Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner before playing cards. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. All proceeds of the per person cost of playing cards go toward the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Memorials were recently received by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation in memory of Gary Soper by Pat and Kathy McMillan, Carl and Betty Christianson, Jim and Sallie Driscoll, Elsa Hager, Carol Paus, Charlotte Reeder, Marlys Leiran, Mae Jean Bakke, Patsy Kerndt, Jim and Helen Johnson, Gladwin and Darlene Anderson, Dave and Laurie Martin, Jerry and Linda Siegrist, Matt Null, Dave and Barb Hanson, Rick and Cathy Larson and Pat Pettingill.

Memorials were also received in memory of Robert “Bud” Nenovich by the Gordon Gilbertson Family.

Memorials and donations are appreciated by the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation.  The Foundation is a 501C3 organization.  All donations to the Foundation are tax deductible.  Memorials and donations can be sent to 40 First Street SE, Waukon, IA  52172.
 

Did you know one in seven people entering the hospital will need blood?

Attend the next LifeServe Blood Center Blood Drive to be held Thursday, March 7 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held once per month in Waukon.  The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.

The LifeServe Blood Center is seeking donors to ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply in Iowa. Because there is no substitute for human blood, the need for donors is continuous.

Over half of the United States population is eligible to donate blood, yet less than four percent donate on a regular basis. A single donation of blood can be used to save up to three lives and help in treatment of cancer patients, accident victims, hemophiliacs and surgery patients.  The LifeServe Blood Center is committed to serving the needs of Iowans by saving lives through volunteer blood donation.

The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, February 21 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital in Waukon.

This diabetes class is open to anyone who has diabetes or has a friend/loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Angie Mettille, RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
 

Veterans Memorial Hospital began nuclear cardiac stress testing within its Cardiac Rehab unit over 10 years ago, in 2008. The convenience of having these nuclear tests offered on a local level has been well received by many in the community since it began.

Nuclear Cardiac Stress Testing offers two different methods, both highly effective in detecting heart disease. These two forms of nuclear stress testing are called the Exercise Nuclear Stress Test and Lexiscan Nuclear Imaging. Both methods can increase the likelihood of finding heart disease by 20% when compared to traditional treadmill stress tests.

The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, February 21. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month in the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.

The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen.  Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m.  Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is more than welcome to do so. All proceeds go towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.

Anyone interested in attending, but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in.  It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.