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Painting the town teal

Ovarian Cancer Support Group spreads awareness message for fellow women WOMEN WHO are diagnosed with ovarian cancer must navigate a scary range of emotions while dealing with unchartered health challenges — but in Polk County there’s help available from a local support group.
Samantha Haverty Wiemer shares the story of her fight against breast cancer

A fighter’s take on the disease and her four keys to survival HOW DO YOU TELL YOUR CHILD you have been diagnosed with breast cancer — especially when that child already knows the loss of this devastating disease? For Central Florida resident Samantha Haverty Wiemer, not telling her son, Russell, about her diagnosis wasn’t an…
Medical Advice: Your breast cancer fast facts and why raising awareness is so important

FAR TOO MANY families know the worry, fear, and anguish when a friend, family member or loved one receives a cancer diagnosis. Some people reading this article may have been diagnosed with cancer themselves. Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. This is why taking a month to…

Holiday tips to help keep the whole family healthy

AS WE ENTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON, the excitement of fall festivals, family gatherings, and holiday parties are worth celebrating. For many, this means gathering to-do lists, party planning, and shopping for family and loved ones. One thing to remember in the holiday preparations is to remain healthy this holiday season! In all of the excitement,…
Health Facts: The ABCs of bone health

For better bones, activity, bone density, and calcium intake are key BONES … The framework of your body is a living tissue that is constantly broken down, replaced, and needs daily nourishment. While it’s important to build strong and healthy bones during your youth, you should protect your bone in adulthood, too.
Q&A on the continued care needed to combat childhood obesity

Jessica Maxwell, ARNP, offers insight from the front lines of the weight-loss battle LESS THAN FIVE years ago, childhood obesity was recognized as a significant public health threat in Polk County. According to the most recent data offered by Florida Charts (2013), childhood obesity among WIC children ages two years and younger was at 31…