...to help experience with disease

Finding out a loved one has cancer can be one of the most difficult things a person will ever have to experience, but caregivers who offer friendship, love and support to the family member or friend diagnosed with the disease do not have to go through the experience alone. The American Cancer Society hosts a series of telephone workshops for family, caregivers and friends to learn about information and support related to caring for a loved one with cancer.

“Caring for someone with cancer can be hard. Finding help shouldn’t be,” said Patricia P. Hoge, RN, PhD, executive vice president of mission delivery and medical affairs for the American Cancer Society’s South Atlantic Division. “Working together with caregivers can help loved ones get well and provide the support family and friends need through every step of their cancer experience.”

The Macon County Public Health Center encourages women to take charge of their health by knowing their heart disease risk and being aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for women in North Carolina. According to the N.C. State Center for Health Statistics, heart disease takes the life of more than 8,000 North Carolina women each year.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, North Carolina ranks 18th highest in the nation for heart disease deaths and is considered to be the 6th worst state for its stroke mortality rate.

Patricia Gregory of Cary was only 24 years old when she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Now a mother of an 11-year-old daughter, she considers herself blessed to have a child, as cervical cancer can make women unable to bear children.

Marie Miranda, who was diagnosed at age 28, underwent a total hysterectomy. “I was heartbroken … It was very hard for many years,” said the Raleigh resident, now 41, who adopted two girls last year.

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled. For more information, call Tom Forkner at (828)349-8290.

On Saturday, Feb. 19, Angel Medical Center Rehab will sponsor a 1-mile Walk for Your Heart.

The walk will start at Tartan Hall, with registration at 10:30, the walk beginning at 11 am.