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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2013-11-27, Page 13Wednesday, November 27, 2013 • Huron Expositor 13 Giving blood can help save a life Blood donor clinic taking place in Seaforth, in honour of Mackenzie Fisher Whitney South Huron Expositor Mackenzie Fisher was just 17 -years - old when he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at Seaforth Community Hospital in 2004. During his 20 -month battle with the disease, he received many platelet transfusions due to generous donors who took the time to give blood. A blood donor clinic will be held in remembrance of Mackenzie on Monday, Dec. 2 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Seaforth Community Centre dance hall, located at 122 Duke St. New donors and walk-ins are welcome to help the drive reach their 96 -unit goal. Angela Smith, communications specialist with Canadian Blood Services, said there is always a constant need for donations, as blood is needed for more than people think. "One of the things we don't realize is that people with cancer undergoing treatment may need the equivalent of five donations of blood every week," she explained, adding patients battling leukemia require even more. "When it's donated, it's used within a week, we always have a need to ensure we have a constant supply." According to the Canadian Blood Services website, approximately every minute of every day, someone in Canada needs blood. In fact, according to a recent poll, 52 per cent of Canadians say they, or a family member, have needed blood or blood products for surgery or for medical treatment. Smith explained that contrary to popular belief, it isn't necessary for someone to know his or her blood type in order to donate. "We look for all types. They try and match blood if they can, but there's also 0 -negative, which is universal," she said. Anyone wishing to donate must be at least 17 years of age, with valid ID. If you have never donated before and have had your 61st birthday, or if you are between the ages of 67 and 71, and have not donated within the last two years, you must be assessed by a physician. For Smith, the fact people give blood without even know- ing someone in need is what makes donors so special. "In that one hour, you may have saved a life," she said. "One day the life that's saved could be yours or someone you love." For more information on standard requirements for donation or to book an appointment, call 1-888-236- 6283 or visit www.blood.ca. 96 units of blood needed Huron's obesity rate sitting at 16.4 per cent Gerard Creces Clinton News -Record The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently released their 2013 statistics on the state of health care in its 27 member countries, showing some significant gains and challenges to Canadian's health care. One in four Canadian adults were defined as obese in Canada in 2010, while the United States has an obesity rate of more than 36 per cent and Aus- tralia at 28 per cent. By comparison, the two Asian countries involved in the sur- vey - Japan and Korea - both registered just over four per cent of the population as obese. In Huron County, the combined rate for overweight and obesity is 48.8 per cent. It's a harrowing figure, and higher than the Ontario average of 42 per cent. Broken down, however, Huron County is faring slightly better than the numbers say. Using numbers from a 2009-2010 study conducted by the Huron County Health Unit, the rate of obesity is 16.4 per cent, while 32.3 per cent of the population is overweight. The measuring tool is Body Mass Index, or BMI. Individuals with a BMI of 18.5-24.9 are in the normal range, while 25-29.9 is considered overweight and 30 and over is considered obese. While BMI is not the only indicator of obesity, it does provide a fairly accurate tool. Public Health Nurse at the health unit, Amy MacDonald, said the HCHU is middle of the road compared to other health units in the area. "We are not too far to either end of being higher or lower than the rest of the province," she said. "As a health unit, we have a staff that work on strategies, really making Huron County a healthier place to live Some of the key strategies are active transportation planning - getting people out on trails and walkable communities; community food advisers; healthy babies programming and in -school work to help staff, parents and students take advantage of healthy opportunities. Demand for community food advisers has risen 200 per cent over the past five years. The volunteer advisers train WEST COAST KITCH ENS _ Linda Reaume Designer And Much More • Kitchens • CustomVanities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS & COUNTERTOPS Visit Our Showroom 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352 www.westcoastkitchens.net Email: westcoastkit@huronteLon.ca people on preparing nutritious meals. "If you can't prepare food you are more likely eating out and those are not always healthier options." she said. However, those on the low end of the income scale may not have the same ability to purchase healthier food. The health unit conducts a food costing survey every year, finding the price of eating healthy for families and individuals. As prices rise, healthy choices are dropped. Poverty is one of the key factors in a person's ability to eat well. The health unit has no set number for weight reduction in Huron County. Rather, they are looking to increase healthy eating, fruit and vegetable consumption, and reduce or delay the onset of chronic diseases. The food costing survey is available at huronhealthunit. com, and was presented to the Board of Health earlier this month. AP' ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm Seaforth ikon Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS