April 25, 2024
Next Week's Calendar
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April 25
Blood Pressure Screening1 - 4 p.m.
FACC, 514 S. Chicago, Freeport
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
Breastfeeding Support Group
2 p.m.
Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street, Freeport
Bring your baby and join other moms to share knowledge and talk about the most up-to-date breastfeeding information. Discussions will be led by lactation experts from the FHN/SCHD Breastfeeding Task Force. This group is open to all moms and free to attend; visit fhn.org/breastfeedingtaskforce for more information.
Striking Success for Children
5 p.m. check in; first ball thrown at 6 p.m.
4 Seasons Bowling Center, 1100 W. Galena Avenue, Freeport
Teams of 6 bowlers are encouraged to bring out their inner child and dress up for the evening; individuals may raise or donate the $50 entry fee. Those who raise at least $100 will receive a t-shirt, and individuals who raise $250 or more will receive a t-shirt and sweatshirt. (Please submit your donations to the Foundation by April 10 to receive your shirt(s) the night of the event.) Learn more at fhn.org/strikingsuccess. All proceeds raised will go updates at FHN Memorial Hospital.
April 26
Blood Pressure Screening11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Golden Meals, 524 W. Stephenson Street, Lower Level, Freeport
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
April 27
Blood Pressure Screening9 - 11 a.m.
Pearl City United Methodist Church food pantry, 411 S. Main, Pearl City
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
Walk with a Doc
8 a.m.
Krape Park, 1799 S. Park Boulevard, Freeport
Free family- and pet-friendly walk and chat led by FHN providers and health professionals. Meet the group by the concession stand for this safe, fun, and FREE way to spend 30-45 minutes as you get some steps, learn about health, and meet new friends. Visit fhn.org/WWAD for more information and a schedule.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Freeport Police Department, 320 W. Exchange Street, Freeport
The FHN Family Counseling Center and Freeport Police Department are working with the State of Illinois and local and national law enforcement to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs and educate the public about the potential for abuse of medications. Bring unused prescription drugs (no liquids or needles/sharps, only pills or patches) for safe drive-through service.
April 29
Blood Drive12-5 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Globe/Deaconess Rooms - Lower Level; 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
Open to the public; walk-ins are welcome, but please sign up to donate – appointments help ensure you can make your donation in a timely manner.
May 1
Adult Diabetes Support Group5 - 6 p.m.
FHN Memorial Hospital Conference Dining Room - Lower Level; 1045 W. Stephenson Street, Freeport
Participation is free for anyone in the general public who has diabetes, and no referral or registration is required. Meetings are facilitated by FHN Diabetes Educators. For more information, call 815-599-6253
Blood Pressure Screening
9 - 11 a.m.
German Valley Food Pantry, 65 State Street, German Valley
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
Caregiver Support Group
2 - 3:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Free group for those who provide care to a family member, friend, or member of the community. Open-forum discussion and a chance to ask questions and share resources. Visit fhn.org/caregivers for the secure Zoom link or contact Sean Huguenin at 815-599-6160 for more information.
May 2
Blood Pressure Screening11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Bridges of Carroll County, 417 Main Street, Savanna
Open to the public; no cost or registration required.
May 6
A Slice of Time Just For You!5:30 p.m.
Cannova’s Italian Cuisine, 1101 W. Empire Street, Freeport
Join the FHN Women's Health team for an evening of pizza and conversation all about YOU! Registration is required for this FREE event, and these events fill up quickly! Register online www.fhn.org/sliceoftime.
Welcome |
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Coming up in this week's issue of The Focus you'll find: Every Drop Counts: Be a Lifesaver Today! FHN Career Corner Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You! Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health Our Sympathy Classified Ads |
Every Drop Counts: Be a Lifesaver Today! |
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FHN is hosting a community blood drive Monday, April 29. If you are at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health, please donate! Staff from the Rock River Valley Blood Center will draw blood from noon – 5 p.m. in the Globe/Deaconess rooms on the lower level of FHN Memorial Hospital. Last year, FHN Memorial Hospital used 881 units of blood for our patients. We are counting on hospital staff and community members to help us replenish some of that blood! Walk-ins are welcome, but please sign up to donate – appointments help ensure you can make your donation in a timely manner. The Rock River Valley Blood Center is the only supplier of blood and related services to FHN Memorial Hospital, as well as Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside, Javon Bea Hospital-Rockton, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, UW Health Swedish American Hospital, and UW Carbone Cancer Center of Rockford, where many Freeport trauma/cancer patients are transferred to in severe cases. If you are not sure if you are eligible to donate, please call RRVBC at 815-965-8751 to check. The FDA has changed many regulations concerning blood donations in the past year, so if you were ineligible to donate in the past, we encourage you to check your eligibility now. |
FHN Career Corner |
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There are many career opportunities within FHN. If you or someone you know is interested in new challenges go to our Career page, displaying the latest open positions. FHN Team MembersFriends and Family |
Help Spread the News: We’re Here, For You! |
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We have a lot to be proud of at FHN, from our talented, dedicated staff to the many advanced capabilities we offer our patients. We’re working hard every day to be sure we provide excellent care to our patients. Each week, look to the Focus for good news to share about FHN in the form of downloadable flyers you can print and post or hand out to patients who may be interested. Also look for links to our most recent radio interviews and past interviews to listen to and recommend to others. Don’t forget to Like us on Facebook! Please encourage patients, friends, and family to also take advantage of these FHN information resources. Thanks for your help in promoting FHN! |
| Have you heard the latest radio interviews? Catch up on our Radio Broadcasts page! |
Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion and Worldwide Health |
April is … Weeks to Note: April 23 – 29 is Medical Laboratory Professionals Week Days to Note: April is Multicultural Communications Month. Multicultural communications may seem difficult at first – differences in languages, backgrounds, customs, and the like all seem like a challenge. By learning more about our different cultures, it becomes easier to interact. This month has been dedicated to further this cause. May is … Weeks to Note: Canada celebrates Asian Heritage Month in May. The Senate of Canada passed a motion in December 2001, designating May as Asian Heritage Month. Canadians take part in festivities commemorating the legacy of Asian Canadians and their many contributions which have helped Canada become the multicultural and diverse nation it is today.
Both Canada and the United States celebrate Jewish Heritage Month in May. It provides an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the contributions that Jewish people have made to the country and in the communities across North America. May is National Older Peoples Month in the United States. It was established by presidential proclamation in 1963. The entire nation is encouraged to pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. It is celebrated across the country through ceremonies and events. Indigenous populations celebrate the May Hopi Kachina Dances in May. During late spring and early summer, long lines of Kachina Dancers, representing many spirit-powers, perform dances in Hopi pueblos. The April – May Iroquois Strawberry Season is a time of thanksgiving and the Great Feather Dance. April 21 through May 2 is the celebration of the Feast of Ridvan for people of the Baha’i’ faith. Ridvan means paradise and the 12-day festival is the holiest time of the year. It commemorates the days that Baha’u’llah spent in the Garden of Ridvan in the last days of his exile in Baghdad where he announced that he was the prophet whose coming had been foretold. Jewish Pesach / Passover began April 23 and continues for eight days, through April 30. This time commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. It begins with a ritual meal, Seder, when no leavened bread is consumed with special prayers and symbolic foods. More than 700 indigenous tribes and nations participate in the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow April 25 – 27 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More than 3,000 people share, teach, and exchange traditions. Anzac Day, celebrated April 25 in Australia and New Zealand, honors those who died in both World Wars as well as in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Anzac stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. April 26 is Arbor Day in the United States. Communities across the country plant trees in an ongoing effort to conserve American forests. The people of South Africa celebrate Freedom Day on April 27. The holiday commemorates the day in 1994 when, for the first time, all South Africans had the opportunity to vote. April 29 is Showa no hi in Japan. An annual holiday, it honors the birthday of Emperor Showa (Hirohito), the reigning emperor before, during, and after World War II (from 1926 to 1989). The official purpose of the holiday is “to reflect on Japan’s Showa period when recovery was made after turbulent days, and to think of the country’s future.” People of the Zoroastrian faith celebrate the creation of the sky with Gahambar Maidyozarem April 30 – May 4. The people of Sweden celebrate Walpurgis Night on April 30. Walpurgis is Sweden’s annual feast of the witches. Huge bonfires are lit all over the country to scare them away as they fly overhead, headed for their annual sabbath in Brocken in the Harz Mountains in Germany. Young and old come together all over Sweden to celebrate around a communal bonfire with fireworks, singing, and dancing continuing until the early hours of the morning. May 1 is the Wiccan holiday of Beltane, which greets the summer. It takes its name from the Celtic God Bel, who unites with the Earth Goddess on this day. It was a midsummer fertility festival in Celtic paganism, and Maypole dances are held. In the Philippines, May 1 is Santa Cruzan Day. Filipinos consider this the first day of spring. It commemorates the corresponding day in the 4th century AD when St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine of Rome, found the holy cross on which Jesus was crucified. The people of China and Taiwan celebrate the Matsu Festival on May 1. Matsu saved her brother from drowning and at the age of 28 ascended into heaven. She earned the title of Goddess of the Sea and is the patron of fishermen. Rites and processions are held at Matsu temples. |
Our Sympathy |
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We extend our sympathy to ... Heather Lutz (Lena) on the death of her grandfather. |
Classified Ads |
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The deadline to submit ads for each Focus is 10 a.m. the Thursday before publication. Please submit your classified ad information to Tammy Edler, and send your donation to the Foundation. |
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The Focus is composed of submitted content. |