Health dept. observes National Public Health Week

Offers free colorectal cancer screening kits and blood drive

[April 07, 2014]  The Logan County Department of Public Health will celebrate National Public Health Week April 7-13. During the first full week of April each year, communities come together to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the nation. The county health department will host two public health events during this week.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third-most-common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The county health department, in cooperation with the Regional Cancer Partnership of Illinois, will provide free colorectal cancer home screening kits. The kits can be picked up at the health department April 7-11 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Supplies are limited. Tests are completed in the privacy of your home. If you have one of the risk factors — over the age of 50, smoker, heavy alcohol use, overweight — follow the directions and return the kit by mail in the envelope provided.

The health department will also host a blood drive, coordinated through the Central Illinois Community Blood Center, on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the conference room at 109 Third St. First-time donors as well as walk-ins are welcome. Donors can sign up at www.cicbc.org or click here.

[Text from file received from the Logan County Department of Public Health]