FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2005
Elementary Classes Warm Up to The Chill
Local school children are being treated to expert instruction through the local Get Active with the Chill Challenge school initiative. Players from the Thunder Bay Chill Soccer Team are providing skill-building clinics to classes in registered schools. An increase of 30% over 2004 numbers will involve 91 classes (2,100 children) in grades four to eight from both Lakehead Public Schools and the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board this year. This is a joint effort between Take Heart Schools and the Thunder Bay Chill.
The push is on for our youth to become more active and lead a healthy lifestyle. Fifty-Seven (57%) of Canadian children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development. The most common barrier among youth is “feeling ill at ease” or “lack of skill compared to other”. The intent of the Get Active with the Chill Challenge is to make children aware of their physical activity levels and help them develop the skills to participate. It is part of the national Summer Active campaign to raise awareness of the importance of active lifestyles.
This issue is a natural match for the local Soccer club.
“Part of our mission statement is to provide role models for the youth of our community,” explains Karen Matson, Marketing Director for the Thunder Bay Chill. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with some of our most enthusiastic fans. We're looking forward to some fun and energizing activities.”
“The clinics are part of a two week long challenge for the children,” states Anne Ostrom, Take Heart Schools Coalition. “Participants commit to be active for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 2 weeks in a row. Each participant will receive a small gift, and then be entered for a classroom draw. Those who complete the challenge successfully will be entered in a draw at each school for a larger prize. As part of the challenge, all schools will attend a specially scheduled afternoon League game on June 22 nd beginning at 12 noon at Fort William Stadium.
Soccer is the number one participant sport in the World, in Canada , and even in Thunder Bay . It surpassed hockey in popularity about 5 years ago.
Thunder Bay currently has over 6,000 participants registered in various soccer clubs. It is estimated that an additional 2,500 players are not registered but play soccer in Thunder Bay and District. The level of participation covers a wide range from mini soccer programs, which introduce the game to the children, to a competitive travel team in the Lakehead Express Soccer Club. Both competitive and recreational soccer is available to adults in senior Women and Men's leagues. And of course there is the Thunder Bay Chill offering semi-pro levels to players in the North American League.
Health Canada recommends that: Children and youth be active for about 1.5 hours each day. 30 minutes of that should be vigorous (running, soccer etc). Activity can be added up in blocks of 5-10 minutes each. This is no easy task, as children spend an average of 26 hours watching TV and 30 hours sitting in school each week. This doesn't include the hours they spend in front of a computer doing homework or playing video games.
Staying active helps children in a variety of ways. Notably, regular physical activity can help them:
- Improve self-esteem;
- Improve academic performance;
- Build strong, healthy bodies;
- Maintain a healthy weight.
For more information about physical activity, parents can visit the Healthy Living Topic at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit website: www.tbdhu.com.
For more information about the Chill visit www.thunderbaychill.com.
For more information about Summer Active visit www.summeractive.canoe.ca
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2005
Winners Tobacco Prevention Poster Contest
In partnership with Bishop Gallagher, an Active Living School , the Thunder Bay District Health Unit is proud to announce the winners of its recent Tobacco Prevention Post er Contest open to all Senior Elementary Schools in the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board.
Winners are:
Grand Prize – Gabrielle Gaultier, Bishop E.Q. Jennings
2nd – Marlen Figueroa, Bishop Gallagher
3rd – Jill Skube, Bishop Gallagher
Honorable mention:
- Marissa Pasmituk, Bishop E. Q. Jennings
- Angel Larizza, Bishop Gallagher
- Alexandra Peterson, Bishop Gallagher
In total 91 entries were received with topics ranging from tobacco free sports, chew tobacco to smoking prevention and second hand smoke. P rizes will be awarded at upcoming spirit assemblies to celebrate the talents and wisdom of our youth.
“The youth demonstrated an awareness of the tobacco issue and the need to share it with their peers.” states Susan Trevisan , Public Health Nurse. The health unit judges were assisted by Rusty Brown, the Education Coordinator at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery .
It is appropriate to announce the winners on World No Tobacco Day , the only global event to call worldwide attention to the impact of tobacco on public health. Tobacco use is considered the single most preventable cause of premature disease and death in Canada . The theme this year is ‘Health Professionals against tobacco – action and answers'. Past themes have included ‘Tobacco Free Sports' and ‘Tobacco Free Film and Fashion'. More information on WNTD is available at www.wntd.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2005
Thunder Bay Baseball Steps up to the Plate for Health
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit applauds the move by the Thunder Bay Baseball Association for taking an important step in tobacco prevention for the youth in our community. At the season opener Senior baseball game, their new home plate tarp was unveiled by a TBall player to celebrate their new ‘tobacco free sports' policy . The hand painting for the tarp was donated by Bill Gray and his staff at Central Body Art. (photo available at tbdhu.com)
The club is promoting a healthy athletic environment and portraying a positive role model for youth. Contrary to what the tobacco industry has led many to believe, tobacco and especially chew tobacco is NOT part of the game. This policy is in keeping with official rules for Baseball Canada and Baseball Ontario .
The Thunder Bay Baseball Association was the first organization to join Lakehead University Athletics as part of the current ‘tobacco free sports' campaign presently running in Thunder Bay and district. Any sports club, team or organization is invited to share their policy or code of conduct to join a growing list of organizations highlighted on the health unit's web site under ‘tobacco free sports'.
Coaches are encouraged to visit www.tbdhu.com for other ways to get their team involved.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 20, 2005
West Nile Watch Resumes
The West Nile Virus surveillance season starts on May 24 th with the activation of the Health Unit's dead bird collection phone line: the “Crow Line.”
The Crow Line will be accepting calls from district residents who wish to report any dead crows, ravens or blue jays found in their area. These birds from the corvid family are highly susceptible to West Nile Virus and are therefore used to signal the prevalence of the disease.
Dead birds called into the Crow Line may be picked up for West Nile Virus testing if it appears the animal did not die from injury or trauma. If a bird of this description is found, the public is urged to call the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-8328 (City) or toll-free 1-866-582-9003 (District of Thunder Bay).
Last year, 265 calls to the Crow Line resulted in 45 birds submitted for testing. Fourteen (14) tested positive for the virus.
The Crow Line helps the Health Unit monitor the presence of West Nile Virus in the bird population. The presence of West Nile Virus in the bird population may lead to the disease being transmitted to mosquitoes and from mosquitoes to humans.
According to a 2004 study, the overall risk to human health in the Thunder Bay District was considered minimal since only 2% (346) of the 17,010 mosquitoes submitted for testing last year were the species which can transmit the disease to birds (Culex restuans).
The overall risk to human health in the Thunder Bay District was considered minimal and no remedial actions were recommended. The use of pesticides to control mosquitoes was not necessary.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2005
Release of Skin Savvy 2005
Sunburns were a normal part of summer for Virginia, a fair skinned redhead. Until recently, no one worried about tanning or sunburns. Now we know differently. The story of her fight with skin cancer is featured in the 2005 version of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit Skin Savvy magazine.
"Sadly, it isn't that hard to find stories of young women who have had to deal with the fear and disfigurement of their battle with skin cancer," points out Rhonda Usenik, Public Health Nurse in the Cancer Prevention Program at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. "Our challenge is to get the message through to young women who are in the process of damaging their skin from UV radiation for the sake of a perception of beauty."
The third annual Skin Savvy Magazine will be launched on Tuesday, May 10 at Hillcrest Highschool. But models from as far away as Sioux Lookout were featured as the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and Northwestern Health Unit joined together to produce this years expanded magazine.
Both distribution and subject matter are expanded to target healthy lifestyle choices for teenage girls in the region. The locally produced magazine features product testing, belly dancing as the latest fitness rage, safe piercing, and a piece addressing tanning beds written by local dermatologist, Dr. Ron Mahler.
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