Page 10 - 3-13-15 Friday's Edition

Local
Hope Center Kitchen Serves As Classroom
With more than a third of U. S. adults classified as obese, improving a commu- nity’s access to healthy food is essential. When the Univer- sity Area Community Devel- opment Corporation (UACDC), 14013 North 22nd Street, opened its Community Garden in November 2013, residents learned how to maintain the beds of leafy greens while cultivating an array of hearty vegetables.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, the UACDC took an- other step towards instilling healthy habits and cut the rib- bon to officially open the Har- vest Hope Center Kitchen. Adjacent to the garden, the Harvest Hope Center Kitchen is located at 13704 North 20th Street. It is designed to serve residents of the Univer- sity Area.
As a fully-functioning kitchen, the Harvest Hope Center Kitchen provides a
classroom-like setting for les- sons in nutrition and oppor- tunities for cooking demonstrations using items found in the garden.
“We believe that educat- ing residents about good nu- trition can make a positive, long-term impact on those in our neighborhood,” said UACDC’s Executive Director and CEO Sarah Combs. “The opening of the Harvest Hope Center Kitchen is a key component in building and keeping a strong, healthy community.”
Community partners and sponsors providing renova- tions, equipment, education and support for the Harvest Hope Center Kitchen include: Florida Medical Clinic Foun- dation of Caring, Whitwam Organics, the Westchase Ro- tary Club, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Hillsborough County Code Enforcement.
University Area Community Development Corporation’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Gene Marshall (center) cuts the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the Harvest Hope Center Kitchen, Thurs- day, Feb. 26, 2015 with UACDC Board Secretary T. J. Couch, Jr.; UACDC Board Member Jo Easton; Aide to County Commissioner Lesley “Les” Miller, Alphanette Jenkins; UACDC CEO and Executive Director, Sarah Combs; David Whitwam of Whitwam Organics; Kelly Lowery Machonis of Westchase Rotary Club; Founder of Florida Medical Clinic Foundation of Caring, Sheri Schwab; and UACDC Board Mem- ber, Darlene Stanko.
For more information on upcoming classes and events at the Harvest Hope Center,
or for details on the various services and programs avail- able through the University
Area Community Develop- ment Corporation, contact the UACDC at 813.558.5212.
Colon Cancer Screening Study About To End
The Increasing Access to Colorectal Cancer Testing study, also known as I-ACT, at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, will stop enrolling par- ticipants in April 2015.
The goal of I-ACT remains: to increase colon cancer screening in the Black commu- nity throughout the Tampa Bay area. So ACT NOW to beat the final countdown to join the I-ACT study.
About two years ago, the Florida Sentinel ran the first article about the I- ACT Study. At that time there were only 59 people enrolled in the study, and today there are about 320 people. This increase in
enrollment is thanks to readers like you, who read the article and got in- volved! This is great news, but there is still work to be done.
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colon cancer is the second most com- monly diagnosed and the sec- ond leading cause of cancer death in the Black community. However, it is one of the most curable cancers if caught early. For the best chance of early de- tection, people should have regular colorectal cancer screenings beginning at age 50.
Dr. Clement Gwede and his team are still enrolling men
and women from the Tampa Bay area to participate in the study before enrollment closes in April.
“This study offers an oppor- tunity for you to take charge of your own health and to help re- duce the burden of colorectal cancer in the black commu- nity,” Dr. Gwede said. “Those who qualify to take part in this study will receive a free col- orectal cancer test that is sim- ple and convenient to use in the privacy of your own home. You still have time to enroll! Do your part; Take the next step. See if you qualify.”
This is a free study for those who are Black/African Ameri- can, between the ages of 50 and 75, who are not up to date with their colon cancer screen- ing. It’s convenient and there is no travel required in order to participate!
If you don’t qualify for the I- ACT study, remember to spread the word and get your family and friends involved in protecting their health!
ACT now! Call now! (813) 745-6502 to see if you qualify. For more information and to watch a video about the study, please visit the website, www.iacttampabay.org or the Facebook page, www.face- book.com/iacttampabay.
* This study is made possible through funding from the American Cancer Society.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015