Health and Medicine
Four Truths co-founder Christine Wright (left) with Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin.
Today is “National Fentanyl Awareness Day,” and in Northwest Roanoke on Staunton Avenue that meant a ribbon cutting. Four Truths Recovery is a residential program for those striving to overcome addiction. The non-profit has opened the first of what it says will be several homes like this, which has beds for 8 men in recovery that will also receive help with finding employment, health care and overcoming transportation issues. Another location for women battling addiction – and their children – could open this Fall. Four Truths co-founder Christine Wright led Virginia First Lady Suzanne Youngkin on a tour of the center after a ribbon cutting. Youngkin’s “It Only Takes One,” concerning fentanyl overdoses has been a focus for her this year.
James McMahan is the co-founder and director of operations for the new recovery center. As for locating it in northwest Roanoke, inside a leased and renovated residential property:
The work Feeding Southwest Virginia is doing has become more and more important. The pandemic highlighted food insecurity and now rising grocery prices have increased the need in the area the organization serves. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.
Saturday, May 11th,Feeding Southwest Virginia wants you to leave some non-perishable groceries by your mailbox to help your neighbors in need. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports it is time once again for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.
Those with EBT-SNAP benefits can get double the food they get with an upcoming market event in Downtown Roanoke, WFIR’s Alex Torres has more:
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Carilion Clinic invites the public to “Go Green for Mental Health,” with a series of wellness workshops, as WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports:
A study of “most gambling-addicted” states shows improvement in Virginia from last year. WFIR’s Ian Price has more.
Gold’s Gym in North Roanoke is doing something a little different this Saturday to support those that are differently abled, WFIR’s Alex Torres reports:
County health rankings are out. Anyone interested in knowing how healthy their community is can access the information. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.
Detailed health information about each county in the United States is available online. These county health rankings include all of Virginia. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports health officials hope localities will use the information to become healthier.
Ian Price photos
Carilion Clinic, Blue Ridge Cancer Care and Feeding Southwest Virginia have teamed up to open a clinic-based food pantry, dedicated to serving patients undergoing treatment. It will be located at Carilion’s Cancer Center on South Jefferson. The Feeding Southwest Virginia food-bank based in Salem will keep pantry shelves stocked at the Carilion Clinic Cancer Center, with items chosen by a Carilion Oncology Dietician. Blue Ridge Cancer Care has pledged funding to help support the pantry. Feeding Southwest Virginia President and CEO Pamela Irvine:
Aaron Housh-Good Sam. G Marrano photo
Perhaps today or sometime in the next few days half of the new Good Sam Hospice Center for Caring on Cove Road northwest will be open for business; a wing dedicated to office staff and volunteers. An update from WFIR’s Gene Marrano: