In partnership with our member charities, Community Health Charities is proud to offer National Health Day email updates to businesses throughout the state to promote and enhance the health and wellness of employees and their families. Feel free to contact us if you are interested in learning more about any of the monthly National Health Day topics. We may offer a Lunch & Learn relevant to a topic that may be of interest to the employees in your workplace. National Cancer Survivors Day - June 4, 2006 National Cancer Survivors Day® is an annual, worldwide celebration held in hundreds of communities throughout the United States, Canada and other participating countries. Participants unite in a symbolic event to show the world that life can be a reality after a cancer diagnosis. The American Cancer Society offers cancer survivors an opportunity to join a worldwide community of other survivors through the Cancer Survivors Network . A few good reasons to join the network include being able to chat with others like yourself through email or discussion boards; create your own personal web page to share your experience, thoughts and wisdom; receive a monthly e-newsletter. Sources: American Cancer Society www.cancer.org and Cancer Survivors Network ® www.acscsn.org Camping at Camp Hemlocks Easter Seals Camp Hemlocks is a residential respite care recreational program offering six and eleven day camping sessions from June 11th through August 16th for children and adults with autism, physical or developmental disabilities. Session activities include sports, talent shows, arts and crafts, outdoor living skills, boating, fishing and swimming. Easter Seals Camp Hemlock is owned and operated by Easter Seals Connecticut-Rhode Island and is located on 160 wooded acres in Hebron, Connecticut. Programs are offered to children, adults and seniors with or without disabilities and their families. There are a wide range of activities which are adapted to the ability level of the participant. The camp is barrier free and paved paths link all buildings and facilities. The summer staff of over 55 counselors may include individuals pursuing careers in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Programming, Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy, Special Education, Psychology and Nursing. In addition to camp staff a full complement of nurses provide healthcare. There is a 3 or 2:1 camper to staff ratio. For additional information or to take a virtual tour please visit www.eastersealscamphemlocks.org or contact Easter Seals at 1-800-832-4409 ext. 200. Sources: Easter Seals Connecticut-Rhode Island National HIV Testing Day - June 27 The National Association for People with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) has declared June 27 "National HIV Testing Day" in an effort to encourage Americans to get tested. There is an estimated quarter of a million people in the United States who are infected with the HIV virus but do not realize it. The campaign encourages anyone who has had unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, or oral) and anyone who has shared needles to get tested. The focus is on "high risk" groups and are identified as African Americans, young people, Latinos, women, and men who have sex with men. Did you know that in 2003, the HIV diagnosis rate for African-American women was 18 times higher than that for white women and between 40,000 and 50,000 Americans become infected with HIV every year? Half of them are between ages 13 and 24. This translates into at least two teenagers and young adults in this country are infected with HIV every hour of every day. The American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) has compiled a detailed question-and-answer guide to HIV testing located at www.amfar.org. For further information on testing sites in your area, call: 1-800-342-AIDS (English), 1-800-344-SIDA (Spanish) OR 1-800-344-7889 (TYY). American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) www.amfar.org Fireworks Safety Month In 2004, fireworks caused injuries to the eyes, head and face to an estimated 1,400 individuals, 40 percent of the injuries were to children age 15 and younger. Firecrackers and sparklers were the top contributors to fireworks injuries. Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks. Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators; be aware that even professional displays can be dangerous. Source: Prevent Blindness America www.preventblindness.org Vision Research Month Vision loss cases in the United States are reaching their highest total ever due to factors such as increased longevity, the rise in the number diabetes patients and the lack of access to affordable health care. As the primary vision eye health organization focused on vision loss prevention, Prevent Blindness America (PBA) has established an annual Investigator Award program which provides research grants to help address the growing numbers of Americans at risk for blindness. PBA recently funded research at Johns Hopkins University to conduct the "Cost of Visual Impairment Research Study" that will seek to create a broader picture of the economic impact of visual impairment including the cost of a delayed diagnosis and treatment. This new project will also update this cost data and greatly enhance the vision community's efforts to bring attention to the need for increased federal funding for vision loss research and prevention and to shape related public policy over the next 10 years. Source: Prevent Blindness America www.preventblindness.org