Seattle Sun Newspaper - Vol. 8, Issue 4, April 2004

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Seattle Sun Healthy Living Briefs

UW researcher honored

Dr. George Kraft of the University of Washington has been honored with a Decade of Achievement in Multiple Scleroris Award.

Kraft, a professor of rehabilitative medicine at the UW, is one of 15 recipients nationally honored for exceptional service to the MS community within the past 10 years. The award is given by the Betaseron Champions of Courage program.

The director of the Western Multiple Sclerosis Center and co-director of the Muscular Dystrophy Clinic at the University of Washington Medical Center, Kraft is a well-known expert on MS and serves on the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's medical advisory board. He also serves as principal investigator for the Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at the UW, which recently received a five-year grant to continue its study methods to enhance the independence of people with MS.

The author of "Living With MS: A Wellness Approach," Kraft has written or co-written more than 230 articles and book chapters on multiple sclerosis, electrodiagnosis and rehabilitation.

Fundraiser to benefit FPA

Fremont Chiropractic is celebrating its second anniversary with a fundraising event to benefit the Fremont Public Association. On Saturday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dr. Michael Bourbonnais will give an examination, consultation and x-rays for a $20 donation to the FPA. The FPA is a private, nonprofit human service agency runs 27 different programs which address the needs of people living in poverty throughout Seattle and King County. Among these programs are a free voice mail service for people living in shelters, a casework program to help families find permanent housing, and a mediation service for persons who have defaulted on mortgage loans. Appointments must be scheduled in advance by calling 634-1300. Fremont Chiropractic is located at 3514 Fremont Ave. N.

Northwest Family Life Benefit to feature actress

Actress and Cover Girl spokeswoman Jennifer O'Neill will be the keynote speaker at the annual fundraising luncheon benefiting Northwest Family Life, a Northgate-based nonprofit group.

This event is the major fundraiser for the faith-based organization dedicated to helping victims and survivors of domestic violence. Domestic violence is the number one cause of injury among U.S. women.

The luncheon will be held Wednesday, April 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Bellevue's Meydenbauer Center. For reservations or information, call Cara at 362-5153.

'Relay for Life' planned

Green Lake and Woodland Park will be the site for the American Cancer Society's new fundraising event "Relay for Life."

Former and current cancer patients, their families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to participate in this new team event, which takes place from 6 p.m. on July 16 until 10 a.m. on July 17 at the Lower Woodland Park Track.

Team members will take turns walking laps to raise money. Participants camp out at the relay site, and can take part in activities and enjoy local entertainment when they are not walking. Teams from companies, churches, organizations, hospitals, and schools are invited to participate and can win individual and team prizes for their fundraising efforts.

"Relay For Life brings the progress against cancer to the forefront," says event chair Mary Jane Cordova. "Many participants are our family, friends, and neighbors who have dealt with cancer themselves."

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at 425-322-1133.

Rotarian travels to India

Harold Stratemeyer of the Rotary Club of Lake City traveled to India in late February, joining a group of 176 U.S. Rotarians to help administer drops of polio vaccine to children.

Stratemeyer, the only Washington state Rotarian to participate, said he was proud to participate in the effort. "No child today should suffer from polio, as an effective vaccine has made it totally preventable," he noted.

A highly infectious disease which can cause paralysis and sometimes death, polio has been eradicated in all but a few very poor countries. With the help of Rotary Clubs from throughout the United States and the U.S. government, new polio cases in India dropped to 218 in 2003 from 1,600 in 2002.

Rotary International launched its 20-year campaign to rid the world of polio in 1985. Once eradicated, polio will be the second disease after smallpox ever to be completely eliminated.

Senior Services seeks drivers

Seniors Services is seeking volunteer drivers to accompany North End seniors to medical and other essential appointments.

The program offers flexible hours, mileage and parking reimbursement, and supplemental liability insurance. Last year, Senior Services volunteers provided more than 28,000 one-way trips and drove 396,000 miles, both records for the program.

For information on the program, call 448-5740 or go to www.seniorservices.org.