A little news I thought might be worth mentioning:

The Loudoun SBDC is putting on an event this coming Tuesday, April 29th, from 6:00 to 8:30pm, titled “Health-Care Options for Small Businesses” (Full info here). There will be various representatives from the health field (yours truly included) talking about how Small Businesses can best contain risks and Health-Care costs for their companies and employees.

SO please:

a) attend (IT’S FREE!), but register ahead of time.
b) forward this along to your respective networking groups, organizations, committees, etc, so that all those seeking an education on this topic will have the opportunity.

Any questions about the event, please direct to the Loudoun SBDC.

April is Autism Awareness Month. During the month of April we are raising money for the Aurora School which is a private non-profit school that is designed for students who are unable to reach their full potential in a public school setting or in a traditional classroom. The Aurora School will be relocating to the Paxton property in Leesburg once renovations are complete. Please stop by Leesburg Pharmacy and purchase an autism magnet or tee shirt or a chance to win a wonderful gift basket. Proceeds will be donated to the Aurora School.

For Leesburg Pharmacy another big part of Autism Awareness Month is educating the public about Autism and its treatments. Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 150 children. Autistic Spectrum Disorder is characterized by difficulty in communicating and relating socially. Children with ASD often have repetitive behaviors or movements and sensory dysfunction. Therapies for ASD involve multiple approaches. Often patients benefit from diets that eliminate food sensitivities such as gluten and casein. Medical supplements are also a big part of the therapies used for Autism. Vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as probiotics and detoxification supplements are often helpful.

Leesburg Pharmacy carries a wide variety of supplements used in the treatment of ASD. In our Compounding Center we can compound medications with the autistic patient in mind. We make customized preparations to meet the unique needs of each child.

• Medications that are free of gluten, casein, sugars, dyes, lactose, alcohol and preservatives.
• Individualized dosing and alternate dosage forms such as suspensions and transdermal gels.

According to the CDC, between 1994 and 2006 the number of children with ASD enrolled in public special education classes has grown from 22,664 to 211,610. These growing numbers make Autism Awareness even more important. We appreciate everyone’s efforts in supporting this worthy cause.

Leesburg Pharmacy Supports Autism Awareness

Kym and Krysten Norris of the locally owned “n2Design” have been selected as part of the national team to spread the word about autism:

ASA Launches “Bounce for Autism” this April!
New Nationwide Event to Raise Awareness, Support Families Affected by Autism

ASA and Pump It Up, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing franchise of giant indoor inflatable playgrounds for private parties, are pleased to announce the launch of “Bounce for Autism,” a new nationwide, community-based fundraising event that combines family fun with raising awareness and support for autism.

Kids, families and friends of all ages can “bounce” at a Pump It Up location, and all proceeds raise funds to support autism. Participants form a “Sock Squad” - their team of bouncers committed to raising funds to help improve the lives of all affected by autism. They ask friends, family and community members to support the cause by giving a donation to sponsor them. Best of all, “Bounce for Autism” gives people on the autism spectrum the chance to support their own cause and head their own teams in a safe, supportive and fun environment. Learn more about how it works at:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=bounce_about_how

Check out the ASA website for their full national calendar in April, and for more information on how you can help here locally contact:

Kym and Krysten Norris of n2design.

Oasis Body Treatment Centre, Let’s Dish!, and the Loudoun Women Business Forum are helping raise money for a Leesburg family:

“On November 17th, 17 year-old Michael Ramirez of Leesburg, VA was diagnosed with Acute Lymphblastic T Cell Leukemia, the rarest type of Leukemia. Happily, Acute Lymphblastic T Cell Leukemia responds well to treatment, so there is hope for Michael. Michael’s mother, Mary, is a single mother of five, and needs your support to pay for the treatments, feed the family, and put gas in the car for frequent visits to Fairfax Inova Hospital where Michael is currently an in-patient undergoing chemo-therapy treatment.

Michael is a senior at Loudoun Valley H.S. A typical young-adult, he likes sports, video games, reading, drawing, and Subway sandwiches. He and his family are understandably frightened, worried, and in need of your support…”

Read More Here…

The mission of the Arthritis Foundation is to provide leadership in the prevention control and cure of arthritis and related diseases.The Arthritis Foundation has three major functions; discovering answers thru research, change behaviors by helping patients in finding the right care and reduce pain, and influence government thru public policy. 

If you want to help the Foundation and those who fight arthritis everyday, then walk with us this spring.

The Arthritis Walk^® is the Arthritis Foundation’s annual nationwide event that raises awareness and funds to fight arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. It is a tremendous opportunity to help improve the lives of the 46 million men, women and children doctor-diagnosed with arthritis. Get your company involved or recruit friends and family members to form a team. Best of all, walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis and know you’re making a difference by raising funds to support Arthritis Foundation research, public health and public policy efforts to improve the lives of people with arthritis.

At the Event…

• Choose from a three-mile or one-mile walk route
• Write an inspirational message on the Wall of Heroes
• Wear a blue “hero” hat if you have arthritis
• Enjoy the fun, festivities and free health information

Register Today

Register online today! 

The Loudoun County Walk is going to be on May 31, 2008. 

Just got through watching a video clip of the candidate’s forum a couple of weeks ago through the chamber.  One of the panelists asked a question about how local Supervisors could help with small businesses offering health insurance.   A few of the candidates (half) suggested the chamber (or someone) should sponsor forming a group for offering health insurance to  small businesses as a part of their membership.

I’m sorry, but “pooling” is not the answer…it’s actually more accurate to say that it’s the problem.  It’s a short-term fix at best and dangerous at worst.  Actually any sort of group coverage is only advantageous for those who have fairly serious health problems, and can sometimes be disastrous for someone who’s healthy when they sign up, but not-so-healthy when they leave their job.

Many of the panelists (candidates) were business owners themselves and stressed how health insurance was their biggest line item.  But only ONE…ONE (Mark Allbright) pointed out the obvious:  that the real secret was not to find a big pool, for more “bargaining power” (which doesn’t really exist-by the way), but to stay educated on new options, and keep your employees educated on how to best use their coverage so as not to make the rates go through the roof year after year.

Mr. Clem mentioned he was paying $2500/mo for TWO families’ health insurance.  Having no idea how healthy these families are, there is a good chance that not only is this exorbitant cost a waste of his money, but a waste of his employees’ money as well.

The real solution?  Call your agent (that’s me) and get on a plan that:

• Takes real advantage of current tax laws.
• Puts the reins of cost controls in the hands of the insured (not the insurance company OR employer).
• Has benefit structures that most insulate premiums from substantial increases.

And (using the service providers in the GCF Network–of course) educate yourselves and your employees on how to live healthy, stay healthy, and keep costs low by being healthy.

“While often referred to as if it were a single disease, arthritis is actually an umbrella term used for a group of more than 100 medical conditions that collectively affect nearly 46 million adults and 300,000 children in America alone.”(Arthritis Foundation) The most common forms of arthritis and the most well-know are Rheumatoid (RA), Osteo-Arthritis (OA) and Juvenile-Rheumatoid Arthritis(JRA), which is what children with arthritis suffer from.  Although many of us know about these diseases the cause is still unknown and there is no cure. With so many people suffering young and old, the Arthritis Foundation has put together an event to help fight this horrible disease.

The 10th Annual Hike with Hope is this Saturday!

Friends of Loudoun Mental Health has been supporting folks who struggle with mental health problems – since 1955. That’s their mission: to raise money and provide direct financial aid for Loudoun programs that clearly empower people to get healthier through recovery.

You can help!

How? Come hike with us and/or give tax deductible dollars, and/or get sponsors to pay
you to take our 5- mile hike. We need your energy and happy spirit.

Where? We begin at Fox Ridge Park in Leesburg, move west along the W & OD bike trail 2.5 miles to a marked point on the trail, then turn around and come back. Food provided by Red Hot & Blue. We supply water. Please check in at the pavilion.

When? October 27, 2007. Activities start at 12:30 - the hike is from 1-3 pm.

Why? Because we are a “goosey group of caring folks” that believe in our community. This is just one way of “helping our neighbors.” Come Hike with us!

What? We Hike Rain or Shine! Prepare yourself for the adventure!

For information, email Amber Ernst at
arernst@loudounfriends.org
or call (202) 351-8612,
or Judy Hines at (703) 443-0524.
www.loudounfriends.org

Their website is being renovated, but here’s the full flyer on PDF, complete with a donor form.

PLUS, their mascot is a goose…I think. So how can you beat that?

Let’s Dish! is launching a very impressive Breast Cancer awareness campaign called the Pink Dish! Campaign. The campaign’s mission is to do what we Let’s Dish does best - provide meals to those who need them - and support families living with breast cancer through the donation of healthy Let’s Dish! meals at no cost.

There are three ways that you can support the campaign (from their website):

As there are many organizations dedicated to helping people NOT DIE of Cancer. This is, of course, a GREAT idea as it emphasizes the things we can do to help people LIVE with Cancer. Way to go Let’s Dish!