Provided photos

LYNDONVILLE – The 21st annual For Women Only event last week attracted a crowd of 275 people and raised $5,000 to support cancer patients in Orleans County.

The top photo shows Jessica Salamone, a certified genetic counselor from Elizabeth Wende Breast Clinic.

Salamone worked at the University of Rochester Medical Center for 10 years, providing genetic counseling to patients in a variety of settings including reproductive, pediatric and cancer genetics. She is an adjunct faculty member at Rochester Institute of Technology, teaching medical genetics and introductory genetic counseling.

Amy Murray, an ovarian cancer survivor, shared her story and related to women to “listen to their bodies.” If something doesn’t seem right, Murray urged the women to have it checked out. She just had a check-up the day before the event and is cancer free.

Cancer survivors were recognized at the event for their strength, courage, hope and inspiration.

The event included vendors and a Chinese Auction. The money raised from For Women Only goes to Orleans Community Health for the cancer services program, which assists women who are unable to afford screening due to insufficient or no insurance.

Return to top

Mold growth, bacterial contamination among the threats to public health

Health Advisory by Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator/Public Information Officer for Orleans County Public Health

Because of the recent rainstorms and high water levels of Lake Ontario and surrounding creeks and rivers, Paul Pettit, Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, advises residents of the steps they can take to prevent health risks linked with home flooding.

“Flooded homes and basements can present a number of health risks if not addressed adequately,” Pettit said. “Problems connected with home flooding include bacterial and viral contamination from sewage backup and mold growth from left over moisture. These problems can lead to human infection and illnesses.”

Flooding may cause wastewater to back up into homes that have private septic systems. Once the water recedes, a high water table may still prevent these systems from working properly for some time.

Residents with municipal sewer systems may also experience sewage back-up. Sewage back-up can be caused by surging floodwater overwhelming older systems or power outages during a storm surge.  Sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and other germs that can cause disease.

The most common signs and symptoms after exposure to raw sewage are stomach and bowel distress (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) and skin problems such as rashes and sores. Individuals who experience nausea, diarrhea or vomiting after exposure to sewage should contact their primary care providers.

“Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup if sewage has backed up into your home,” advises Sarah Balduf, Environmental Director of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.  “Remove and discard contaminated household goods such as wall coverings, rugs, cloth and drywall that cannot be disinfected,” Balduf said. “Be sure to thoroughly disinfect all contaminated surfaces that come in contact with food and children’s play areas. Disinfect non-porous surfaces with a solution of three tablespoons of bleach to one gallon of water (or one cup bleach to five gallons water). Never mix bleach with ammonia cleaners.”

Individuals with open cuts or sores should try to avoid contact with sewage-contaminated floodwater. If accidentally exposed, keep skin (especially any cuts or sores) as clean as possible by washing with soap and clean water. Apply antibiotic ointment and cover with a sterile bandage to reduce the risk of infection.

If you have deep cuts and/or puncture wounds and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years, or are unsure of the date of the last tetanus shot, get a tetanus booster.

For additional information on managing sewage back-ups, click here.

Mold will grow in flooded homes and buildings that do not dry out quickly. People living or working in buildings with wet carpets, walls, mattresses or furniture may develop health problems such as allergies, asthma and sneezing.

Persons at highest risk are those with allergies, asthma, chronic respiratory diseases, infants, pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems.  For information on preventing and managing mold, click here.

For information on drinking and food guidance after a flood, click here.

Return to top

Press Release, Sheriff Randall Bower

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will once again participate in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Initiative.

Sheriff Randall Bower is pleased to announce that the Sheriff’s Office will again participate in this nationwide undertaking, which takes place on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

This is a collaborative effort with the U.S. Department of Justice – Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orleans County Health Department, and the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse (GCASA).

This initiative will allow the public to safely dispose of unused prescription medication, sharps and pet medications. The goal of this event is to provide a safe disposal method that will prevent the contamination of the water supply and most importantly decrease the likelihood of theft and abuse of prescription medications.

Upon completion of this event all collected medication will be destroyed in the presence of law enforcement officers at a designated incineration facility.

This is a great opportunity for the public to surrender unwanted and/or expired medications for safe and proper disposal. Events such as these have dramatically reduced the risk of prescription drug diversion and abuse, as well as increasing awareness of this critical public health issue.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson at 585-589-4310.

Collection locations on Saturday include:

• Orleans County Public Safety Building, 13925 State Route 31, Albion

• Holley Fire Department, 7 Thomas Street, Holley

• Kendall Fire Department, 1879 Kendall Rd., Kendall

• Lyndonville Fire Department, 148 N. Main Street, Lyndonville

• Medina Fire Department, 600 Main Street, Medina

Special thanks to the Holley, Medina, Lyndonville and Kendall fire departments for providing space in their facilities for this event.

Return to top

Wayne Burlison continues to inspire community

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Lisa Burlison, wife of the late Wayne Burlison, welcomes runners and other participants in the third annual Run for Wayne today. She is joined by the couple’s son, Adam, and family friend Marsha Rivers and the Rev. Randy LeBaron, pastor of the Albion Free Methodist Church.

Rivers encouraged Burlison to sign up for his first race. He went on the run marathons and help start the Albion Running Club.

Burlison died at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

Adam Burlison gets ready to cut the string holding the balloons. Mark Moore, the race director, is at right.

The race started at 12:01 p.m. on Clarendon Road by the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School, where Mr. Burlison was a band teacher.

“Run for Wayne” started at 12:01 in recognition of Hebrews 12:1 as one of Burlison’s favorite Bible verses. The verse states: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

There where about 75 runners and walkers in the race today. Proceeds are being used towards a second memorial scholarship in Burlison’s memory, as well as to help develop a running/walking trail at Bullard Park.

Mary Martin, left, finishes the race with her friend Sarah Meister. Martin, 21, was one of Burlison’s students.

“He taught me how to play the jazz drums and got me into running,” Martin said.

Ed Russell, 75, of East Amherst is close to the finish line. Russell ran a 5K in the morning in Williamsville, “Run Forest Run!”

Last year Russell ran 185 races. He wants to run at least 100 this year.

Evan Steier of Albion had the fastest time overall in the Run for Wayne at 19:12. Lindon Morici of Albion was the fastest woman at 20:17 for the 3.17-mile course, which is slightly longer than a 5K. The 3.17-mile course represents the 3 months and 17 days that Burlison lived his diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer.

Return to top

Press Release, State Sen. Robert Ortt

ALBANY – Members of the New York State Senate’s task force on heroin and opioid addiction applauded the actions of United States Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and John McCain (R-NY) on the introduction of legislation that would limit initial opioid prescriptions for acute pain to seven days.

This legislation, which was passed and signed into law in New York State in 2016, derived from the Senate’s task force hearings over the course of the previous two years.

State Sen. Rob Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) is a member of the task force in the State Senate for heroin and opioid addiction. Ortt and State Senators George Amedore, Terrence Murphy and Fred Akshar issued the following statement:

“We applaud the bipartisan actions of Senator Gillibrand and Senator McCain. The New York State Senate has been, and remains, leading the effort to curb the devastating scourge the heroin epidemic has caused in nearly every community within the Empire State. The seven-day limit of opioid prescriptions for acute pain was a cornerstone piece of legislation passed into law last year.

“We offer our strong support and partnership to help advance this important initiative on the federal level. When it comes to helping our most vulnerable neighbors who are battling the disease of addiction, we cannot allow partisan politics to prevent the passage of common sense policy that will ultimately save lives.”

Return to top

Press Release, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and John McCain (R-AZ) today announced bipartisan legislation to combat opioid addiction by limiting the supply of an initial opioid prescription for acute pain to seven days.

Many individuals become addicted to opioids after taking prescriptions for acute pain, such as a broken bone or wisdom tooth extraction. This federal legislation is modeled after laws in several states, including New York and Arizona.

“Our bipartisan bill would target one of the root causes of the opioid addiction crisis, which is the over-prescription of these powerful and addictive drugs for acute pain,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Too many lives have been destroyed, too many families have been torn apart, and too many communities all over New York are suffering because of this tragic epidemic. I am proud to join with Senator McCain in this urgent fight against the over-prescription of opioids, and I look forward to seeing it pass through the Senate as quickly as possible.”

“One of the main causes for the alarming increase in drug overdoses in the United States is the over-prescription of highly addictive opioids, which have increased by 300 percent over the last 15 years,” said Senator McCain.

Under current federal law, a medical professional must receive a license from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in order to be allowed to prescribe a schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance in the United States. This registration must be renewed every three years. This legislation would require medical professionals to certify, as part of their DEA registration, that they will not prescribe an opioid as an initial treatment for acute pain in an amount that exceeds a seven-day supply, and may not provide a refill.

This limit does not apply to the treatment of chronic pain, pain being treated as part of cancer care, hospice or other end of life care, or pain treated as part of palliative care.

Return to top

By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator/Public Information Officer for Orleans County Public Health

National Public Health Week was celebrated last week. It is an opportunity to raise awareness about what Public Health is and what it can do to help us become the healthiest nation.

Americans are living 20 years longer than their grandparents’ generation, largely thanks to the work of public health.  However, studies have shown people in other high-income countries are living longer and suffer fewer health issues than we do. We in public health are working toward overcoming challenge.

To address this challenge, the American Public Health Association created Generation Public Health to meet the goal of making the United States the Healthiest Nation in One Generation – by 2030. This is an opportunity for Public Health to encourage communities to make healthier choices in what we eat and do, as well as look at what impacts our health where we live, work and play. Together, we can be the generation that changes the course of health in America!

“The local Health Departments work diligently with community organizations, the New York State Health Department and our community partners to provide quality services and encourage residents to be pro-active in their health,” stated Paul Pettit, Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Changing our health means ensuring conditions where everyone has the opportunity to be healthy.  We all have a role to play…where do you fit in?

• Build a nation of safe, healthy communities – support farmers markets and local businesses, especially those that value health, such as retailers that don’t sell tobacco.

• Help all young people graduate from high school – education is the leading indicator of good health, giving people access to better jobs, incomes and neighborhoods.

• Increase economic mobility.

• Achieve social justice and health equality.

• Give everyone a choice of safe, healthy food.

• Prepare for the health effects of climate change.

• Make the healthy choice the easy choice – avoid using tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Eat healthy foods and increase your physical activity.

• Provide quality health care for everyone.

• Strengthen public health infrastructure and capacity.

Take time to talk with your family on how you can make healthier choices. Encourage one another and your local leaders to take the right steps to better health.

Return to top

Photos by Tom Rivers: David Callard, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, checks a shot with a dose of Narcan, which can help block the effects of opioids and reverse an overdose. Callard received training on Narcan from GCASA, including Tracy Zakes, a prevention educator in back.

ALBION – Three Orleans County legislators received training in Narcan on Thursday.

Narcan is a prescription medicine that blocks the effects of opioids and reverses an overdose.

The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has provided training to about 200 community members in the past two years in administering Narcan. GCASA has trained school nurses, probation officers, GCASA staff and family members of GCASA patients.

Three county legislators – David Callard of Medina, Fred Miller of Albion, and Lynne Johnson of Lyndonville – took the training on Thursday.

“I wanted to set an example with the county staff and public that this is important,” Callard said.

The county, region, state and country are experiencing surges in opioid addictions, overdoses and deaths, said Diana Fulcomer, GCASA prevention educator.

The death rates from accidental overdoses have increased more than 600 percent in the last 10 years in the U.S. from prescription drugs. Accidental overdose deaths increased close to 500 percent in Erie County last year.

A child who ingests an adult opiate painkiller prescription, an elderly person who forgets and takes too much of their opiate painkiller medication and a loved one who struggles with opiate/heroin addiction are a few examples of situations that can lead to an accidental overdose, GCASA said.

Commonly used opioids include heroin, codeine, Demerol, morphine, Darvocet, fentanyl, Dilaudid, methadone, opium, hydrocodone, oxycodone, Levorphanol, Vicodin, OxyContin, Tylenol 3, Tylox, Percocet and Percodan, according to GCASA prevention educators.

The GCASA educators said opioid addiction often starts with prescription pain killer abuse.

Diana Fulcomer (left), a prevention educator with GCASA, advises county legislators on how to administer a shot of Narcan. The legislators include, from left: Fred Miller, David Callard and Lynne Johnson.

GCASA (using information from the state Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services) said there are are four steps in administering Narcan (Naloxone):

Step 1: Recognize an overdose – A person is unconscious, breathing very slowly, turning blue and not responding when his/her name is yelled or when rubbing knuckles on breastbone.

Step 2: Call 911 – Give address/location, and report your friend or loved one is unconscious or isn’t breathing.

Step 3: If person not breathing, give rescue breaths – Tilt head back, lift chin, pinch nose and then give two quick breaths, then a breath every 5 seconds.

Step 4: Give Narcan – Inject into upper arm or thigh muscle; Repeat after 3-5 minutes if person not waking up; Remind person not to use more drugs; Stay with person until EMS arrives; Place in recover position.

For more information about Narcan and the training to administer, call Sherri Bensley at GCASA in Albion at (585) 589-0055.

The legislators, as part of the training, injected the shot into an orange.

Return to top

Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a Request for Proposals for the availability of up to $4.7 million in annual funding for statewide problem gambling outreach, education and treatment services.

The RFP includes the development and oversight of seven Problem Gambling Resource Centers across the state. The initiative will be funded in part through a $500 annual license fee charged to casinos operating in New York State, for each gambling table and slot machine at their facilities. The RFP is available at oasas.ny.gov. Responses are due June 8, 2017.

The Governor also issued a proclamation recognizing March 30, 2017 as Problem Gambling Awareness Day in New York State.

“This funding will help educate the public on gambling addiction and help ensure those in need of help receive access to the resources and treatment they need,” Cuomo said. “We are giving New Yorkers in every part of the state the recovery-focused support they need to make their recovery possible, and bringing us another step closer to a stronger and healthier New York for all.”

The new Problem Gambling Resource Centers will serve as the hub for coordinating referrals for problem gambling services in their region. They will also coordinate with local gambling facilities to ensure information and referrals are available if needed.

“This funding will allow us to educate the public, improve access to treatment and continue to provide much needed services for those who are affected by problem gambling,” said New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “As with other addictions, problem gambling has serious consequences for individuals, as well as their friends, loved ones and communities.”

Under the terms of the 2013 law legalizing casino gambling in New York State, new casinos are required to deposit a $500 annual license fee into the Commercial Gaming Revenue Fund, for every slot machine and gambling table they operate. The law requires that the funds are to be used exclusively for problem gambling education and treatment purposes.

In an effort to increase access to problem gambling services throughout the State, the $4.7 million in funding will be available as a direct five-year contract with OASAS. Specifically, $1.4 million will be for outreach, education, awareness and training, and $3.3 million for the seven regional Problem Gambling Resource Centers. No capital funds are available through this RFP.

The organization that is awarded a contract under the initiative will have the opportunity to:

• Develop statewide public education and awareness information related to problem gambling;
• Serve as the statewide center for problem gambling resources and information;
• Provide training, technical assistance and community partnerships; and
• Develop, implement and oversee seven regional Problem Gambling Resource Centers, to ensure access to culturally relevant problem gambling services in all regions throughout the State, while also building collaborative relationships with local gambling facilities.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

File photo by Tom Rivers: Orchard Manor, a 160-bed nursing home in Medina, would face $1.4 million annually in reduced funding if the Affordable Care Act is repealed with a Trump healthcare plan, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s data.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has continued to speak out against the push to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a plan backed by President Trump and Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House. (That vote was scheduled for today but pushed back until Friday to give Ryan and Trump more time to secure Republican votes.)

Cuomo detailed said the repeal and replacement would have devastating cuts to nursing homes. An analysis from the State Department of Health counted $35.7 million in cuts to nursing homes in the 27^th Congressional District represented by Chris Collins, a vocal advocate for the new health care plan.

There are two nursing homes in Orleans County and combined would see about $2.5 million in reduced funding with the Trump health care plan, according to Cuomo.

Those cuts include $1,421,129 to the 160-bed Orchard Manor Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Medina, and $1,151,265 to the 120-bed Villages of Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.

Cuomo said the funding reductions would jeopardize nursing homes’ ability to provide critical services for seniors, hurting New York’s most vulnerable citizens and jeopardizing hundreds of jobs across the district.

“This reckless legislation slashes funding from nursing homes and facilities that provide care to seniors, jeopardizing the lives of our most vulnerable New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “These devastating cuts will cripple health care services in communities across New York, with $35.7 million in cuts to nursing homes in the 27th District alone. I urge New Yorkers to call their member of Congress and demand that they vote ‘no’ on this unconscionable legislation.”

Return to top

Provided photo: Wendy Jacobson (left), CEO and president of Orleans Community Health, and Joanna Miller, administrator of the OCH healthcare site in Albion, are pictured with a pledge to increase colorectal screenings in Orleans County.

Press Release, Orleans Community Health

Orleans Community Health is joining forces with over 500 local and national organizations to increase colorectal cancer screenings rates across the country.

The “80% by 2018” is a shared goal to have 80 percent of adults aged 50 and older regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.

Colorectal cancer screening has been proven to save lives.  Orleans Community Health today announced that it has made the pledge to help increase colorectal cancer screening rates by supporting the 80% by 2018 initiative, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (an organization co-founded by ACS and CDC).

Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon, before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether.

“80% by 2018” is a National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) initiative in which over 500 organizations have committed to substantially reducing colorectal cancer as a major public health problem and are working toward the shared goal of 80% of adults aged 50 and older being regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.

“Colorectal cancer is a major public health problem, and adults age 50 and older should be regularly screened for it, but we have found that many people aren’t getting tested because they don’t believe they are at risk, don’t understand that there are testing options or don’t think they can afford it,” said Dr. Mary Rykert-Wolf of the Albion Health Center.  “The truth is that the vast majority of cases of colorectal cancer occur in people age 50 and older. Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms, so everyone 50 and older should get tested.”

There are several screening options – even take home options – available. Plus, many public and private insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening and there may be local resources available to help those that are uninsured.

“Getting screened is much easier and more affordable than getting treated,” Rykert-Wolf said. “Only 25% of those diagnosed with colon cancer have a family history, the rest just appear. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

While colorectal cancer incidence rates have dropped 30 percent in the U.S. over the last 10 years among adults 50 and older, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S, despite being highly preventable, detectable and treatable. In fact, in 2015 in the U.S., 132,700 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed.

Part of the 80% by 2018 goal is to leverage the energy of multiple and diverse partners to empower communities, patients, providers to increase screening rates. The 80% by 2018 initiative consists of health care providers, health systems, communities, businesses, community health centers, government, non-profit organizations and patient advocacy groups who are committed to getting more people screened for colorectal cancer to prevent more cancers and save lives.

“We are thrilled to join the cause to improve colorectal cancer screening rates,” said Wendy Jacobson, CEO/Orleans Community Health.  “We are asking all members of our community to come together and help us by getting screened and talking to your friends and family who are over 50 years of age about getting screened. Together, we can help to eliminate colorectal cancer as a major public health problem.”

For more information or to learn about resources in your area, visit: www.orleanscommunityhealth.org or call the Cancer Services Program of Genesee and Orleans Counties at 585-344-5497.

Return to top