Dear Family, Friends, and Neighbors,

All of the hospitals in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, including WCA Hospital, purchase their blood from the Community Blood Bank (CBB) of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York.  The CBB is currently experiencing a SEVERE blood shortage and has asked WCA to help increase the awareness of this shortage and hopefully increase the number of donors at their June, July, and August 2008 drives. We encourage you, your family and friends to pass this information along to your contacts asking them to support CBB and WCA Hospital by donating at any of the Community Blood Bank Drives.

Remember, it is about life, the best reason for giving. Thank you in advance for you assistance.

Click here to download the summer calendars of Community Blood Bank drives in the area. The public is welcome to donate at any of these locations. For more information, please contact WCA Hospital Public Relations, (716) 664-8614.

Local United Way Partners With WCA

The United Way of Southern Chautauqua County recently released its 2006 Community Report Card for Chautauqua County and announced a new partnership with WCA Hospital to work collaboratively to help connect local women diagnosed with breast cancer to appropriate cancer services.

"We are very excited to be working in partnership with the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County to enhance access to cancer care services and improve the quality of care for all patients," said Betsy Wright,. "It is important for our community to have access to healthcare, regular check-ups, coordination of care, and early detection of disease, which leads to better patient outcomes and improves quality of life. By bringing together our resources, we can truly help reduce the barriers that prevent timely care and help ensure that those with a suspicious finding or diagnosis of cancer will get the healthcare that is so critical in saving lives."

"The purpose of the patient navigation program is to work with healthcare providers and local outreach organizations such as the United Way to improve the outcomes for those facing breast cancer," said Toni DeAngelo, WCA Wellness Director. "Because of the complexity of cancer care, the patient navigation program is a valuable tool in helping patients and their families find the essential resources and support they need in a timely manner. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chances for successful treatment. With the wonderful new ways to detect breast cancer early - a yearly check-up with a health care provider, monthly breast self-exams and regular mammograms, most breast cancers should be identified when they are curable and fewer women in our neighborhoods should die."

For information about any of these programs, call Wellness at (716) 664-8619.

FREE Melanoma Screening

Sponsored by the WCA Wellness Program, Robert Scott, M.D. & The American Academy of Dermatology
Wednesday, May 31st - Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena
Registration: 10 a.m. * 11:30 a.m.
Screening: 11:45 a.m. * 1 p.m.
For more information, call (716) 664-8619.

Tobacco Cessation

2-Minute Intervention
The nursing staff at WCA is among the first in New York State to take part in a new program designed to urge smokers to quit the habit. The new program is called the "2 Minute Intervention" or the Five-A's:

1. Ask * Ask the patient about tobacco use,
2. Advise * Advise the patient to quit,
3. Assess * Assess the patient's willingness to quit,
4. Assist * Assist in the quit attempt,
5. Arrange * Arrange for the patient follow-up.

Click for more information

Tobacco Cessation Counseling
Classes are led by tobacco cessation counselors certified by the American Cancer Society and are aimed at helping people who want to quit the use of tobacco.

• BUSINESS & INDUSTRY: 8-week class held on-site
• INDIVIDUALS: one-on-one counseling sessions

Western New York Baby and Me Tobacco Free
The Baby and Me Tobacco Free Program, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Tobacco Control Coalition, helps new moms quit tobacco use. Moms receive diapers if they remain tobacco free for 1 year.

Tobacco Free Moms
Tobacco Free Moms is a program aimed at expectant moms who want to quit smoking. In collaboration with the Chautauqua County Tobacco Control Coalition, the program provides counseling, support groups and an education component prior to, during and after delivery. Participants are referred to the program by physicians, WCA Maternity staff and community outreach programs.

Fresh Start Tobacco Cessation Training Program
"Train the Trainer" sessions led by a certified American Cancer Society facilitator to train healthcare educators and health teachers on how to teach tobacco cessation classes. The program is open to the community.

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Fitness and Nutrition

Changing Weighs
A 6-week weight management program led by WCA Dietitians that incorporates healthy eating habits with physical activity.

Nutrition Counseling

Fitness Testing: Body Composition Testing
The Body Composition test is used to measure the amount of lean body mass (muscle), body fat and water an individual possesses. The test is based on electrical resistance through the tissues of the body.

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Cancer Care

Community Cancer Education and Support Program
A general cancer program led by certified Oncology Nurses who provide education and support to those persons diagnosed with or those who care for persons with cancer.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in WCA Hospital classrooms 2 and 4.

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Risk Assessment and Screening

Health Risk Assessment
A computerized program used to assess an individual's risk factors for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and stroke. (The Health Risk Analysis Lifestyle Questionnaire is available online.)

Steps to a Healthy Heart
Steps to a Healthy Heart is a cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention program serving WCA patients in Special Care, 3C Telemetry, Cardiac Catheterization and Wellness. It is designed to help patients understand their individual risk factors for cardiovascular disease and how to control or prevent them.

Bone Density Screening
This portable osteoporosis screening test measures the heel for bone loss. The screening is free in cooperation with the WNY Regional Osteoporosis Resource Center.

Community Outreach Health Screenings
Cardiovascular and cancer screenings held at various industrial and business sites throughout the year.

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General Health

Stress Management
A 4-week class aimed at helping people manage stress.

Peer Group Education
Educational programs designed for local middle schools and high schools.

Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Health Education and Screenings for local businesses. The program provides professional assessment, crisis intervention, short term counseling, referral and follow-up services.

Wellness Days
Educational programs for business and industry, school and community groups.

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