For this year’s Great Marianas Smokeout, the Department of Health’s Community Guidance Center is offering free t-shirts to the first 100 individuals who turn in at least half a pack of cigarettes on Nov. 18 at Minatchom Atdao pavilion, starting at 4:30 p.m. A roadside waving featuring students in support of a tobacco-free CNMI, and health exhibits are also slated for that afternoon.
Quitting smoking is an important step toward a longer, healthier life, and reduced cancer risk.
Tobacco use accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths, and harms nearly every organ in the body. In addition to increasing risk for many forms of cancer, tobacco use increases risk for heart disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, blindness, and numerous other health complications.
More than 443,000 people die prematurely from smoking every year in the United States. Tobacco use is considered the most preventable cause of death in our society — which means we have the power to do something about it.
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but the good news is that it can be done.
To have the best chances of quitting smoking and staying quit, smokers are encouraged to know what they’re up against, what their options are, and where to go for help.
Small steps, like calling the Quitline at 323-QUIT (323-7848) for information about tobacco cessation, or finding a support buddy to quit smoking with, can help smokers quit and stay quit, and reduce their cancer risk.
In addition, for a wealth of information about quitting tobacco use, finding support, and helping loved ones quit, visit the American Cancer Society’s website at http://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/index .
Today, commit to quitting tobacco use, and living a healthier, tobacco-free life. Join the Great Marianas Smokeout!
For more information about the Great Marianas Smokeout, or the tobacco cessation program, contact Leiana Ogumoro at the Community Guidance Center at 323-6595.
NMC student wins LinC Logo Design Competition
(NMC) — Northern Marianas College business student Marlon Bokuku captured the top prize in the Learning in Communities, or LinC, logo design competition.
The competition was hosted by the NMC Learning in Communities program, which is a newly developed program that aims to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that promotes the highest educational, intellectual and social development of students by applying the “learning community” concept.
Bokuko’s design, created in Adobe Illustrator, was selected over 88 other logo submissions from students in business instructor Larry Lee’s desktop publishing and graphic design courses.
Bokuku received a $50 cash prize that was donated by NMC interim President Lorraine T. Cabrera, LinC program manager Geri Willis and Lee.
For more information, contact Geri Willis at 234-5498 ext 1028, or email NMCLinC@gmail.com. or geri@pticom.com.
New medical director on Marianas Agupa
(Marianas Agupa) — This Saturday, Nov. 20, Marianas Agupa will feature medical director Dr. Shirish Balachandra and Ed Diaz from the Department of Public Health. The show starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 10:30 a.m. on Magic 100.3 FM. Topic of discussion will be on the ongoing flu awareness campaign.
The Chamorro talk show program is hosted by Glenn H. Manglona and features a world report by former Rota Mayor Joseph S. Inos, a special report from Rota correspondent and commentator Thomas D. Mendiola and a report from Tinian correspondent and commentator former Sen. David M. Cing.
Garapan school PTA meeting
(GES) — Garapan Elementary School PTA meeting will be held today, Nov. 18, in the cafeteria at 6 p.m.
Be aware of what is going on at your child’s school. Take part in deciding where funding goes, accreditation issues, and how you as a parent or guardian can get professional development opportunities.
For more information e-mail David Attao, GES PTA president, at dattao@gmail.com.
