Honoring Sickle Cell Awareness Month A Closer Look Into Sickle Cell
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Launches Social Media Contests to Help Kids Get Healthy and Active Walking For Wellness Guide A complete schedule for upcoming awareness walks
ALS - Beyond the Bucket Blacks and ALS
African Americans Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet
Take Control of Your Heart: It’s All in the ABCS
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very year, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans suffer more than 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes. Nearly 44% of African American men and 48% of African American women have some form of cardiovascular disease that includes heart disease and stroke. But you can reduce your risk and improve your heart health by following the ABCS: • A - Take aspirin as directed by your health care provider. • B - Control your blood pressure. • C - Manage your cholesterol. • S - Don’t smoke. A: Take aspirin as directed by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider if aspirin can reduce your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Be sure to 2 LivingWELL • September 2014
tell your health care provider if you have a family medical history of heart disease or stroke. B: Control your blood pressure. Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. If your blood pressure stays high, you may suffer from high blood pressure, also called hypertension. High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack and stroke more than any other risk factor. African Americans are more likely than any other racial or ethnic group to have high blood pressure and to develop the condition earlier in life. To keep your blood pressure under control, find out what your blood pressure numbers are, and ask your health care provider what those numbers mean for your health. If you have high blood pressure, work with your health care provider to lower it. C: Manage your cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance produced by the
liver and is found in certain foods. Your body needs cholesterol, but when you have too much it can build up in your arteries and cause heart disease. There are different types of cholesterol. One type is high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good cholesterol, that can protect you from heart disease. Another type is low-density-lipoprotein (LDL), known as bad cholesterol, that can increase your risk of heart disease. Talk to your health care provider about cholesterol and how to lower your bad cholesterol if it is too high. S: Don’t smoke. About one of five African American adults smokes cigarettes. If you smoke, quit. Talk with your health care provider about ways to help you stick with your decision. It is never too late to quit smoking. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW today or visit smokefree.gov.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan launches social media contests to help kids get healthy and active
Michigan kids can win a chance to meet Matthew Stafford, attend Lions Thanksgiving Day game and more
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mpacting a third of Michigan’s children, childhood obesity is an epidemic with both immediate and long-term effects on health and well-being. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has two exciting opportunities for kids to show and tell how they can get active and healthy. The contests are part of BCBSM’s commitment to children’s health and the #MIKidsCan campaign, an initiative focused on encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits early in life. In partnership with Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, BCBSM launched the #MIKidsCan
Contest, asking kids ages 7 to 14 to share their favorite way to be active. There are two ways to take part in this contest: create a two-minute video or submit a photo with short essay answering, “What’s your favorite way to get moving and be active?” The video contest winner gets an assembly at their school or a meet and greet at their organization with Stafford. The essay/photo contest winner gets tickets to the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving game and autographed Detroit Lions gear. Submissions are being accepted now through Oct. 29. In November, three video semifinalists and three photo/essay semifinalists will be notified and their submissions will be posted online for a two-week, public voting period. Guidelines for #MIKidsCan contest are easy: • All submissions for the contest should answer the question, “What’s your favorite way to get moving and be active?” • A video less than two-minutes long made on a Smartphone, iPod, iPad, Flip video or webcam • All photos must include a 200-300 word essay • Most importantly, have fun – show us how you enjoy being active and healthy!
The other contest is a partnership between BCBSM and the Detroit Lions. The #MIKidsCan Lions Experience Sweepstakes is a digital sweepstakes where Michigan families make a pledge as to what their child can do to embrace a healthy lifestyle, such as increasing physical activity, limiting screen time or eating more fruits and vegetables. Families can enter by visiting DetroitLions.com/MIKidsCan through Nov. 10. Winners will be selected randomly each month and receive prizes, including an opportunity to attend the Lions’ Allen Park Halloween Party, game tickets and an in-booth experience at a Lions game and a walkthrough at Lions practice. One grand-prize winner will receive sideline passes and club tickets for the Lions Thanksgiving Day game, along with a fan tunnel and flag ceremony experience, tickets and an in-booth experience at a Lions game with the Lions broadcast team and a Lions game-used football. Check out both of the contests and enter to win! For more information on the #MIKidsCan Contest and BCBSM’s ongoing efforts to help improve childhood health, visit AHealthierMichigan.org/mikidscan and follow #MIKidsCan on Twitter.
LivingWELL • September 2014 3
A Closer Look Into Sickl
In honor of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, Living Well spoke with people whose daily lives are affected by sickle cell anemia, to give us all some insight on what it is like coping with the disease. What is sickle cell anemia, who is at risk and how does it affect the human body? ickle cell anemia is the most common form of sickle cell disease. Normal blood cells are round, soft and flexible but when a person has sickle cell disease, the blood cells resemble the curved shape of a banana or the crescent of the moon. Sickle cells are stiff and sticky. They tend to block blood flow in the blood vessels of the limbs and organs. Blocked blood flow can cause pain and organ damage. It can also raise the risk for infection. Sickle cell trait affects 1 out of 10 African Americans. Sickle cell anemia is passed down or inherited when both mother and father are carriers of the sickle cell trait, making it a 1 out of 4 chance their child will be with the disease. Testing for sickle cell disease at birth is mandatory in the state of Michigan. If the disease is caught early in infants, physicians can prescribe penicillin twice a day to help the baby from developing a severe infection. Dr. Wanda Shurney, chief executive officer and medical director of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) - Michigan Chapter and daughter of Dr. Charles F Whitten, cofounder of the National SCDAA, explains the pain behind sickle cell anemia. Dr. Charles F. Whitten founded the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, because there was information about the disease that was not being used to benefit the patients. Dr. Whitten also initiated the comprehensive clinic at Children’s Hospital in Detroit. The clinic focuses on multidisciplinary care for children providing a complete medical home. His daughter Dr. Shurney, has furthered his legacy by focusing on the Michigan Chapter with a holistic approach to healing. The Michigan Chapter of SCDAA is located at 18516 James Couzens in Detroit. Dr.
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Shurney and her staff use heat, relaxation and massage in addition to powerful narcotics and the medication hydroxyurea to assist patients who are dealing with pain associated with sickle cell anemia. Studies have shown hydroxyurea can increase fetal hemoglobin, in turn causing a decrease in pain episodes. “The pain is something one cannot begin to imagine,” explained Dr. Shurney. Pain associated with sickle cell anemia is caused by blockage of the blood vessels, due to the sickled shape blood cells.
These blockages can occur in any part of the body, from the brain where a blockage can cause a stroke to the hands and feet where in addition to the pain, the blockage causes swelling. Tanashia Darnell says, “Sickle cell is a challenging disease and a learning process.” As an adult she recalls growing up with the disease as being “not as hard as expected, my mother was hands on and I received top of the line care at Children’s Hospital.” Ms. Darnell uses heat, massage and rest to get through her pain caused by sickle cell anemia. Despite the condition, she remains optimistic and says, “It’s not horrible, you can get through anything.” The only cure for sickle cell anemia is a bone marrow transplant. There is a 1 in 4 chance a full blood brother or sister is a donor match. This makes it difficult to find a donor and there is a chance of the bone
marrow being rejected. For children, the disease presents a greater challenge in that dealing with the pain and trying to complete schoolwork can be very challenging. Through Project Enrich, a local program focused on helping to improve the quality of life for children living with sickle cell anemia, Dr. Shurney and her team tutor children who may miss class as a result of their condition and need help catching up. Kelly Littlejohn’s son, Allen, is a participant in Program Enrich. Allen describes his challenges with school and coping with the pain: “ It’s more difficult for me since I am out of school for a while and have to catch up on everything we did.” Littlejohn helps his son manage his pain by asking where he is having pain and assessing the pain level. Allen finds relief in heating pads and massages but he is also taking hydroxyurea. With this medication, Littlejohn has noticed an improvement in Allen’s health. Like Tanashia Darnell, Allen maintains a positive attitude in managing the condition. “It’s not so bad, if you stay strong,” he says. You can find Littlejohn and Allen’s documentary on Facebook at Fullfill the Cell Foundation Inc. This Saturday, September 27, please join the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America - Michigan Chapter for the 1st Annual Sickle Cell Awareness and Myth Dispelling Walk at the Detroit Zoo. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the walk begins at 9:00 a.m. sharp. For more information please contact SCDAA at (800) 842- 0973.
Dr. Wanda Shurney and Dr. Charles F. Whitten
le Cell Anemia I have the trait. People with the trait can have symptoms under certain conditions such as strenuous exercise in a very hot climate or high altitudes or decreased cabin pressure in a plane. I have retinopathy in both eyes because of the trait. Now I have a lot of floaters in my visual field because of vitreous hemorrhages. Know your history. Find out if you have the trait. Rochelle E. Everett
Walking for Wellness Walking to Defeat ALS - The ALS Association Michigan Chapter Saturday, 27, 2014 Location: James Scott Memorial Fountain, Belle Isle Park Walk Check- In: 12:00 PM • Walk Starts: 1:00 PM Distance: 2 miles Special Events Associate: Shabana Lakdawala shabana@alsa-michigan.org (248) 680-6540
Sharing, September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month? Love , peace and power. Mary Ann Jenkins
My mom was born with sickle cell anemia. She was not expected to live past the age of 16. It was a blessing she made it to age 32. I was 8 years old at that time. I have donated what I can to this charity for as long as I can remember. I do realize every disease is worth doing research on. However, I just can’t understand why this particular type has not received more attention as well as more fundraising. There has to be a cure.
Vanessa Daniel
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Michigan Chapter Sickle Cell Awareness & Myth Dispelling Walk Saturday, September 27, 2014 Location: The Detroit Zoo Walk Check-In: 8:00 AM • Walk Starts: 10:00 AM Sharp www.sicklecellwalkzoo.com $25.00 registration includes admission to zoo and T-shirt For more information contact SCDAA at (800) 842-0973
8th Annual Michigan Walk Now For Autism Speaks Sunday, October 12, 2014 Location: Ford Field Walk Check- In: 8:30 AM Program Starts at 9:30AM • Walk starts at 10:00 AM LivingWELL • September 2014 5
Blacks and ALS
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he recent popularity of “The Ice Bucket Challenge” social media campaign, aimed at raising money to fight ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), increased awareness of the disease but left many with more questions than answers. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerve cells which communicate with the brain and spinal cord to move muscles in the body and causes them to die. Once the neuron dies, the communication line between the brain and the muscle is broken. As the disease progresses, individuals living with ALS may become completely paralyzed. Though it is not generally believed to be “an African American disease,” there are many within our community who struggle daily. Here we share one man’s story.
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By Cody Williams Here I am, a black man from Detroit’s west side, living in Connecticut, a single dad with two kids, a man of faith, a writer, technology consultant, and for a lot of people all over the country, I have become a black face of ALS. ALS is the worst of the degenerative neuromuscular diseases. It disables you one muscle at a time. I’ve notice that my fingers shake more than they did a few weeks ago when I use them to eat. I need a bib most days, so I don’t eat in front of my kids, not unless I’m eating something I can grab with my whole hand like a hamburger or piece of sausage or toast. I can only walk with assistance. I started running as a kid around Hammerberg Field in Detroit. We played softball there, and at night we would swing and jump from the bars behind the bleaches. That television show, “Wipeout,” has nothing on us. If someone in our neighborhood didn’t break an arm or leg each summer growing up in our Detroit neighborhood we did not have fun. While I started out running on Hammerberg’s track I spent a lot of my life running the parks, lakefronts and beaches of the world to stay in shape. By the age of 52, I had done a pretty good
job of staying fit. Yes, I was in shape and needed to be. I had two kids under the age of 12 to keep up with. As a single dad now living in Connecticut, my life was camping, softball, 5k runs and Central Park rock climbing. My son and daughter loved it all and I loved growing with them all over again. Then, exactly two years ago, it hit me. Taking my morning shower wiped me out. It drained me of all of my energy. I had to lay back down on the bed to recover. I started losing weight and wanted to sleep a lot. My kids noticed and gave me a contour pillow for Father’s Day. Something was really wrong. I needed to see a doctor. I had good insurance at the time and went to one of Connecticut’s best medical groups. I had lost almost 70 pounds and had completely lost my appetite. We took tests, 18 months of them. By the time I was down to 115 pounds, I got a diagnosis. My doctor told me that I was “depressed and had asthma.” What? “I’m an artist. I know what depression feels like and I’ve had asthma all my life. This does not feel like asthma or depression,” I told her. She insisted and a group of her experienced colleagues
agreed. She prescribed heavy antidepressants and told me to eat more junk food — Big Macs, pizzas, milkshakes. I tried but kept rapidly losing weight. The antidepressants made me tired and loopy. I got down to 108 pounds of skin and bones from my former 215 lbs of lean muscle. I was dying and it was clear, except no one knew from what. I had gone from the biggest person in my home to the smallest. I was weak and needed my 11year-old daughter to open bottles for me. My doctor insisted it was depression. Some in my family even whispered it was AIDS, even though I had done nothing to contract that disease. With each day, I felt myself slipping away from here, slowing dying. Some nights I actually felt death lingering in my room. It looked up at me, grinning from the shadows in my bed covers. But, I could not leave my children. I fought back with prayer and laughter. Others prayed for me. Friends brought me meals. One, the Rev. Dundee Holt, even took me in, set me up in his living room and had his church mothers feed me three meals a day. He took me from appointment to appointment. Finally one frat brother suggested I see a pulmonologist, who took one look at my dragging right foot and told me it was probably ALS. “Lou Gehrig’s disease?,” I asked 18 months after I noticed the first symptoms. They told me there was no cure, that I had maybe three to five years to live from the onset. They announced that I may go into respiratory failure at any time and placed me in hospice. Hospice. I thought about my children. I was not afraid of dying. I was afraid of leaving them here on earth without me to protect them. For 18 months I had been misdiagnosed by the so-called “best.” Black men are not usually diagnosed with ALS. Ninety percent of the 30,000 people who are found to suffer from the disease yearly in the US are white, with over 70 percent of them being men. ALS is not generally thought to be a black person’s disease, and look at me, I thought to myself. The blackest man in America dying of a white man’s ailment. What luck! The ghosts at night were real. My goal now was to keep them away from my children. According to one population-based mortality study conducted by T. Zaldivar, MSc, MD, ancestral origin is likely to play a role in ALS susceptibility. His team of researchers concluded that there is a reduced frequency of ALS in “ethnically mixed populations.” Well, here I am, a black man. But since then I’ve talked to many black people who have told me, “my grandmother died from that disease.” Detroit’s Dr. James Blessemen says he sees many black ALS patients. My unscientific guess is that more blacks may have ALS, but they die long before there is an official diagnosis. It took over 18 months to diagnose me and I diligently pursued my doctors for an answer to my wasting away. The average ALS patient lives only three to five years after diagnosis. Today I live on life support. There is a machine that breathes for me. I get tube feeding and use a catheter to urinate. I just turned 56. I had to leave my home and job and move into a skilled nursing facility. My son started high school and I was not there to show up with him on the first day like my dad did at Cody High School in Detroit with me. There is a whisper in the medical community that a cure for ALS is no more than five years away. Coconut oil and magnesium are said to slow the progression. I take them daily. The kids come and play in my room. Sometimes I cry when they leave. I never let them see me do that. With the Ice Bucket Challenges and walks like the one to be held in Detroit on Belle Isle on September 27, maybe this ALS thing can be beat in time so I can see my daughter graduate from high school. Some nights I wake up in the middle of a quiet night to someone breathing next to me. For a second I am not alone anymore, until I realize that it is the machine that breathes for me.
Help Komen Detroit save lives during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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usan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® is expanding our reach in October during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over the past couple of years, we had the pleasure of working with you to help make an impact in our community. We hope we can count on you to continue that effort. Despite great progress, messages about early detection still need to be heard. With your help, we’ll support more awareness efforts throughout the tri-county area to fight against a disease that claims the life of one U.S. woman every 13 minutes; someone’s mother, daughter, sister or friend. In the U.S. alone, more than 232,000 women and some men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,000 are expected to die. So, please invite us to your health fair, lunch ‘n’ learn, church fellowship, group meeting or fundraising event during October. Through education and community outreach, we can inspire women to learn and talk about breast cancer and take action to ensure early detection of a disease that is highly curable when caught early. We can offer you the following resources for your event: • Education materials • A Komen representative • Navigation to community resources for patients and families • 2014 Komen Detroit Race video • Pink ribbons for fundraisers • Large pink checks for a fundraising presentation Please contact us as soon as possible to schedule an event or request materials.
Since 1992, Komen Detroit has raised nearly $27 million in the fight against breast cancer. We operate year-round as a community resource. In 2013, Komen Detroit granted more than $1 million to four outstanding local breast cancer screening, education and treatment programs throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, and we contributed $291, 700 to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure National Research Grant Program. With the help of our community partners, Komen Detroit is a source of hope for those confronting breast cancer and a source of pride in efforts that lift the spirit and health of our community. Please visit our website for more information: http://www.karmanoscancer.org/KomenDetroit/grants.aspx. Registration will open soon for the 24th Annual Komen Detroit Race for the Cure in Spring of 2015. Meanwhile, we hope you will contact us and support our work to find a cure and save lives, leading to a world without breast cancer. For more information please contact: Lisa Braddix, MPH Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure Breast Cancer Program Specialist braddixl@karmanos.org • (248) 304-2085 www.karmanoscancer.org/komendetroit LivingWELL • September 2014 7
Advertise in SENIORcare A Special Edition of LivingWELL published during Medicare Open Enrollment
From October 15 – December 7, all Medicare recipients will be able to change their Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage. To educate our significant senior citizen readership about new options and what the enrollment process involves, the Michigan Chronicle will publish SENIORcare, a special edition to our LivingWELL tabloid.
SENIORcare is the perfect opportunity to showcase your senior-geared products and services and impact seniors throughout southeast Michigan. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Call us today!
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Published during the 2014 Medicare open enrollment period, the Michigan Chronicle SENIORcare tabloid will include articles about healthy living for seniors along with information about Medicare coverage and available plans. Publish Date: October 22 , Creative Deadline: October 10
Contact your Michigan Chronicle sales representative
313-963-5522