PINK EVENTS
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marking the 25th anniversary of this campaign. We can all get involved in efforts to raise money for breast cancer awareness, lend our encouragement to those fighting the disease and honor those who have lost the battle. Here’s a list of activities happening locally.
Oct. 6
3rd Annual 10K Run for the Hills
Follow beautiful nature trails through the Warhill Sports Complex and adjacent roads. Post-race reception. Prizes awarded to winners in all categories.
9 a.m., 4725 Stadium Drive, Williamsburg
beyondboobsinc.org
Oct. 7
Stilettoes Stomping Cancer
Attendees will enjoy live music & entertainment, hor d’oeuvres, giveaways, door prizes, and shopping while raising money for the American Cancer Society. They will gain fashion and styling tips and discounts while shopping for the perfect outfit to wear to Cure by Design and learn about the local American Cancer Society’s free programs and services offered. Tickets are $20 each.
6:30 to 9 p.m., Stein Mart in Short Pump
804-323-9464 or mhudson@careadvantageinc.com
Oct. 11 and 12
Pre-Race Expo: Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure
Competitive runners: Final opportunity to register for timing at the Expo. Meet sponsors, pick up t-shirts and more.
11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 252 Town Center Drive, Virginia Beach
komentidewater.org
Oct. 13
Komen Tidewater Race for the Cure
Register as an individual (11 years and up) online, at the Pre-Race Expo (see above) or at the event.
7 a.m. registration; race begins at 8:30 a.m.
Neptune’s Park, 31st and Atlantic, Virginia Beach komentidewater.org
Oct. 13
Petals for the Cure: 22-mile Bike Tour or 7-mile Fun Tour
Individuals and families alike will enjoy this unique event to benefit BeyondBoobs! Inc.
Participants must register by Oct. 12.
8 a.m., Anderson’s Home and Garden Showplace, 11250 Jefferson Ave., Newport News
http://petals4thecure.com
Oct. 13
Fall BRAzaar
A day of fun, music and learning, to benefit the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation. Southside Vendors Market at Southside Speedway.
10 a.m.-8 p.m.., 12800 Genito Road, Midlothian 1-800-345-VBCF or vbcf.org
Oct. 19-20
Strive to be the Change
Volunteer to walk or run on a treadmill for one hour during this 24-hour treadmill-a-thon and fundraiser to benefit Beyond Boobs! Inc.
8 a.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday, TPMG STRIVE office in New Town (Williamsburg) (757) 345-2512 (ask for Todd or Tina)
Oct. 21
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk—Richmond
This is the 11th year for the Making Strides Walk in Richmond to benefit the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer programs.
12:30 p.m. registration; walk starts at 1:30 p.m.
Kanawha Plaza, 9th and Canal Streets, Richmond (804) 527-3705 or corliss.hamilton@cancer.org
Oct. 27
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk—Peninsula
Join the Peninsula Walk to celebrate survivorship, express hope and create more birthdays!
9 a.m. registration; walk begins at 10 a.m., Mariner’s Museum, 100 Museum Dr., Newport
News (804) 527-3705 or
corliss.hamilton@cancer.org
Oct. 29
Breast Cancer Awareness Dinner
The Central Virginia Chapter of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation will host its 16th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Dinner. Celebrity waiters will be serving dinners. Brickhouse Run Restaurant, 407-409 Cockade Alley, Old Towne, Petersburg To reserve your dining time (between 5 and 9:30 p.m.), call (804) 862-1815 starting Oct. 1.
kfunk@swfunk.com or (804) 861-4472
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RICHMOND
VCU Medical Team Recommends Preventive Antibiotic for COPD Sufferers
New England Journal of Medicine study authored by multidisciplinary team
Patients suffering from the chronic lung condition COPD, the third-leading cause of death and disability in the United States, may benefit greatly from a three-times-a-week dose of an antibiotic, according to a study by Virginia Commonwealth University physicians published in a recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Approximately 24 million Americans suffer from COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which creates recurrent, acute episodes of severe shortness of breath, cough and sputum production. Every episode can threaten the lives of the patients and lead to additional lung function decline.
The VCU team, led by Richard P. Wenzel, M.D., professor and former chair of the VCU Department of Internal Medicine in the VCU School of Medicine, and former president of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, performed a critical review of current clinical studies, reviewed the pharmacology and adverse effects of the antibiotic, azithromycin, and examined the risks and benefits of a regimen of a Monday, Wednesday and Friday dose of azithromycin.
Wenzel and colleagues Alpha A. Fowler III, M.D., professor and chair of the Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, and Michael B. Edmond, M.D., M.P.H., professor and chair of the Division of Infectious Diseases, concluded that a large segment of COPD sufferers could benefit from the preventive approach.
According to Wenzel, the proposed approach for use of azithromycin for the prevention of COPD exacerbations has not been endorsed by any of the large pulmonary and infectious disease organizations, including the GOLD group. But he said that the current review is compelling enough that these groups may move to revisit their current guidelines.
“This approach has the potential to eliminate one-third of the severe exacerbations each year among patients with COPD,” said Wenzel.
However, according to Wenzel, this protocol may not be suitable for every patient. Some may suffer adverse consequences with a year-long use of azithromycin, such as hearing loss, antibiotic resistance and heart rhythm disturbances. The VCU team reviewed many of the studies of the drug and made recommendations to minimize the unwanted consequences yet provide relief to a large segment of the COPD patients.
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VCU Health System Named a 2012 Working Mother Best Company
Working Mother magazine has named the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System as one of the nation’s 100 best companies of 2012 for working mothers—marking the eighth year the health system has received the honor. The magazine recognized the health system for its wide array of progressive workplace programs that train, support and nurture working mothers, most notably an on-site recreation and aquatic center and a state-of-the-art fitness facility.
“As an academic medical institution, not only do we have a special responsibility to our community but we also have a great responsibility to take care of our own people,” said John Duval, CEO of MCV Hospitals. “We want our employees to know that we care about them as individuals and that we strive to help them with a healthy balance between work and personal life by providing them with opportunities to maintain and improve their health.”
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Richmond Named Outside Magazine’s “Best Town Ever”
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