NCC is continuing its endeavors with NUMC to supply a substantial percentage of the blood needs of this major trauma center. Although this is typically a busy time in the academic year, it is essential to establish a pattern of blood donations early in an individual's academic experience. The drive reflects NCC's six-times per-year effort to encourage all able individuals to participate in this vital activity. "Through our educational efforts to increase the number of blood donors and our own contributions, we hope we will help meet a substantial level of the community's blood needs," said Dr. Arthur Friedman, co-chair of the NCC Blood Drive Task Force. "We look forward to working in partnership with community residents in this much needed blood drive."To make an appointment to give blood call Friedman at (516) 572-7883, or stop in Sept. 8 and volunteer. The process takes less than an hour and refreshments will be served.Donors must be at least 17 years old and in good health and provide photo identification. Although snacks will be provided, all donors should eat before donating.
Adult psychology group at NUMC
The Ambulatory Mental Health Services at Nassau University Medical Center has a mature adult psychotherapy group that meets weekly. The group, led by a psychologist, is for seniors who have depression or anxiety. The group focuses on building emotionally supportive connections between seniors. Coping strategies to help mitigate psychological problems are also empathized.The department also provides a range of outpatient psychiatric and psychological intervention for seniors with mental health concerns. While most of the aging population does not require the formal attention of a psychiatrist, some seniors do greatly benefit from an in-depth psychiatric assessment, and some elderly people do well on the newer antidepressant medications. Others benefit from individual psychotherapy or other type of group psychotherapy with a psychologist or social worker.For more information on these services, please call (516) 572-6822.
New asthma medication at Winthrop
Asthmatics can now breathe easier thanks to a newly approved FDA drug being used at Winthrop-University Hospital's section of allergy and asthma called Xolair, a first of its kind drug that greatly improves the symptoms of moderate to sever allergic asthma."Xolair is the first new, biological medication to treat asthma on the market in many years," said Dr. Luz Fonacier and head of the section of allergy, asthma and immunology at Winthrop. "Not only does it help minimize the symptoms of asthma like wheezing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks, but it also allows patients to decrease the use of other asthma medications."The medication is injected into a patient once or twice a month depending on the severity of the asthma. Dosing is dependent on the amount of IGE allergic antibody in a person's system as well as on body weight. Xolair works by blocking IGE, or immunoglobulin E, a substance that occurs naturally in the body. When individuals with allergic asthma breathe in allergens, the body makes more IGE in response, causing the chemical reactions that lead to asthma symptoms. By the second or third treatment, the reduction of asthma symptoms is dramatic in many patients. Treatment must be ongoing to reap the benefits of the medication.
Cosmetics offer Rx for mental distress of cancer
"It saved my life...It's the next best thing to a full-time masseuse and a free facelift."Those are just a few of the rave reviews that women battling cancer have given to Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center's "Look Good...Feel Better" program. The indignity of losing hair and eyebrows can cause despair among many women going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but the program has succeeded in lifting the spirits of countless women.In conjunction with the LIJ Service Guild, the program is administered by the Queens office of the American Cancer Society in Rego Park, in partnership with the National Cosmetology Association (NCA) and the Cosmetics, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CFTA)."I would recommend this program to any woman going through chemotherapy," said Carolee Cohen-Lipman of Little Neck, a recent participant in the program. "It's a place where women can communicate with others going through the same situation. I didn't opt for any form of therapy while going through my treatments, but this one day was truly therapeutic."The sessions, conducted on the second Monday of every month, are held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Licensed cosmetologists offer a wealth of beauty tips that include choosing the right wig and proper makeup application techniques. All attendees are treated to a handsomely appointed gift of well-known cosmetics donated by the CFTA."These women enter the group as strangers, feeling timid and unsure as to whether they will enjoy themselves, and they leave as friends," said Harriet Pine, co-chair of the program. For more information on the "Look Good...Feel Better" program, call (516) 470-7093.
