Health and Medicine
Halloween is just days away. Some localities are opting to trick-or-treat tomorrow instead of October 31st. Whenever you head out to get your treats here
are a few Halloween safety tips. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports.
LewisGale Regional Health System is doing its part to combat drug abuse. As WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno reports the healthcare system is partnering with local law enforcement to host Saturday’s “Crush the Crisis” event, which is part of National Prescription Drug take-back day.
Click here for more information and locations.
A Bedford County business owner who took ten years to write a personal history of her battle with depression after decades of abuse now offers a new book she says offers hope and “techniques” for overcoming those darkest days. The book just released is “Beyond the Scars.” WFIR’s Gene Marrano has more, “In Depth.”
Life Ring check Ian price photos
A check for two million dollars from the Life Ring Foundation was donated to Carilion Children’s, the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital this morning and is targeted for pediatric oncology and hematology at the new Cancer Center that Carilion intends to build on the Riverside campus. Carilion Clinic is still raising money for the Cancer Center, which may cost upwards of 100 million dollars or more for new construction and equipment. Today’s “big check” for Carilion was funded in part by this summer’s Darius Rucker concert at Elmwood Park and a celebrity golf tournament at Ballyhack.
Kelly Woolwine is president of the non-profit Life Ring Foundation; Kelly and Jessica Woolwine’s 8 year old daughter Charlotte is a liver cancer survivor. Life Ring was founded in 2005 to support families in the region facing financial crisis due to childhood cancer.
Better access to resources for expectant and new mothers – especially the under-served and women of color. Since its beginnings almost 30 years ago that’s been the mission for “Urban Baby Beginnings”, and now that non-profit plans to open an office in Roanoke. The story from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Dr. Bill Kiser G Marrano photos
Carilion Clinic is taking part in a trial of “theranostics” – developed in Australia with a special imaging agent from Canada that is used during a PET scan to diagnose cancers. It can also identify tumors in the body and direct a more focused treatment – with less “collateral damage” than chemotherapy for example. Carilion Clinic – working with Blue Ridge Cancer Care – is looking for local people that have exhausted all standard treatments for Cancer to be involved in the STARBURST study.
Dr. Bill Kiser is the director of molecular imaging and principal investigator for the “STARBURST” trial in the U.S.; he says the new treatment is not FDA approved as of now but says they can seek a “compassionate care,” waiver during these procedures.
MGN
Mental health is the focus of this year’s Fall Festival at Morningside Urban Farm. Carilion says the mid-week event drew 100s of people last year. WFIR’s Denise Allen Membreno has more.