health

Randolph Police Raises $1,000 for Sgt. Chesna Family Fund During 2nd Annual Fitness Cup Challenge

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Randolph Police Department
William Pace, Police Chief
41 South Main St.
Randolph, MA 02368

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

Randolph Police Raises $1,000 for Sgt. Chesna Family Fund During 2nd Annual Fitness Cup Challenge

From left: Detective Paul Smyth, Officer Duong Tran, Officer Kinnon Ryan, Lt. Anthony Marag, Officer Steven Ayers and Sgt. Jason Fisher.
(Courtesy Photo Randolph Police Department)

RANDOLPH — Chief William Pace is pleased to share that the Randolph Police Department recently raised $1,000 for the Sgt. Chesna Family Fund during the 2nd Annual Fitness Cup Challenge.

The Fitness Cup Challenge is part of a larger health and wellness initiative at the Randolph Police Department supported by Chief Pace. The 90 day challenge began in February and ended in April, and includes separate fitness and weight loss competitions. Many of the 37 members of the department competed in both the fitness and weight loss challenges.

The fitness test included a bench press, squat, one mile run and 500 meter row.

“This challenge gives us a concentrated period of time to really focus on health and fitness, which lays the groundwork to keep up healthy habits,” Chief Pace said. “In police work, fitness, health and wellness are all incredibly important, and I think prioritizing these values makes us a better department in the long run. We also had the opportunity to raise money through this initiative for Sgt. Chesna’s family, which is something we all felt strongly about and were happy to be able to do.”

Officer Trevor Clark won the fitness portion of the event and Sgt. Jason Fisher won the weight loss component of the competition.

The Fitness Cup Challenge was sponsored by Hanley Law Realty of Weymouth and Precision Fitness Equipment.

The Sgt. Chesna Family Fund was created by the Weymouth Police Department following the death of Sgt. Michael Chesna, who was killed in the line of duty in July 2018. The fund raises money for Sgt. Chesna’s family.

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Bedford Police and Fire Departments Offer Guidance on CBD Products

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For Immediate Release

Monday, Feb. 25, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police and Fire Departments Offer Guidance on CBD Products

BEDFORD — As CBD products become more readily available across Massachusetts, Police Chief Robert Bongiorno and Fire Chief David Grunes are urging residents to be cautious, research items before buying, and remember that the drug’s legality at the federal level remains murky.

While many CBD products claim to cure physical pains, benefit mental health, and even cure some illnesses, these benefits are largely unsubstantiated by science. Only one CBD drug has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug administration after it was studied closely. The drug treats seizures associated with severe epilepsy.

CBD products, because of a lack of regulation, can be dangerous to consumers. In December 2017 and January 2018, a group of approximately 50 people in Utah were sickened by a synthetic cannabinoid they were sold that was marketed as CBD. Some of their symptoms included an altered mental status, seizures, confusion, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), CBD, also known as cannabidiol, does not cause a high because it effects a different part of the nervous system than THC, an active chemical compound in marijuana.

CBD can be derived from both marijuana and hemp. Hemp-derived CBD can contain as much as 0.3 percent THC, and marijuana-derived CBD can contain more.

Marijuana-derived CBD remains illegal federally, as a cannabis byproduct. Hemp, however, was legalized nationally in December 2018.

The Bedford Police and Fire Departments are urging parents, guardians, and caregivers to be vigilant that children do not become exposed to CBD products that are often sold in candy form. There are many gummy candy CBD products, which can be attractive to young children.

CBD products, ranging to edible treats to oils to lotions, can be bought online and in retail stores in Massachusetts.

“We urge residents to do their research and use caution when handling any marijuana or hemp-derived product,” Chief Robert Bongiorno said. “Parents in particular should note that CBD is often sold as a candy product, which can appeal to children and teens. Research is still being done to better understand the side effects of CBD, but the truth is, we simply don’t know what this substance is capable of yet.”

Finding reliable information on CBD is also challenging, as much of the information available online is created by pro-CBD and marijuana companies. As a result, the Bedford Police and Fire Departments encourage residents to carefully assess the reliability and accuracy of the sources they use to gather information regarding CBD.

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Photos: Greater Lowell Tech Holds Go Red For Women Event

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Greater Lowell Technical High School
Superintendent Joseph Mastrocola
250 Pawtucket Boulevard,
Tyngsborough, MA 01879

For Immediate Release

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Greater Lowell Tech Holds Go Red For Women Event

TYNGSBOROUGH — To recognize women’s heart health, Greater Lowell Tech, in conjunction with the American Heart Association, held a Go Red For Women event on Friday focused on promoting healthy living and heart health wellness.

On Friday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., students, often dressed in red, set up informational booths to educate their peers and guests — including GLTHS Lowell School Committee member George W. O’Hare, state Rep. Sheila Harrington and Dunstable Selectman Leah D. Basbanes — about the importance of heart health, especially for women. This is the second year GLTHS has held a Go Red For Women event.

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s campaign for females that aims to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women throughout the world.

The American Heart Association reports that cardiovascular diseases continue to be women’s greatest health threat, with nearly 80 percent of cardiac events able to be prevented.

“So many women aren’t as aware of the signs of a heart attack and heart health,” said American Heart Association representative Jamie Aspenson. “Go Red For Women is a way to promote heart health throughout February. I can’t say enough about how great of an event this is for the entire greater Lowell community.”

At one station, Culinary Arts juniors Olivia Reis and Jordan Cruz, both of Lowell, were giving out zucchini oat walnut chocolate chip cookies, comparing the nutrition level to that of a Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie. The latter contained more calories, sugar and saturated fat, while the zucchini cookie added more than double the amount of fiber.

“Walnuts and oats, they’re really good for your heart health because they help lower your cholesterol,” Culinary Arts instructor Janice Musko said. “Our goal with this project was to not only have students learn about nutrition, but to create something that was just as tasty as the Tollhouse cookie, and I think they did a great job of accomplishing that.”

At another booth, Medical Assisting students were demonstrating how to properly administer CPR in the event that someone with heart disease, a respiratory illness, or who experienced trauma lost consciousness.

“It’s such an important skill to be able to do to increase the chances of survival,” said junior Delaney Griffin, of Tyngsborough. “With healthy choices the hope is that you can prevent being in a situation, like cardiac arrest, where you need CPR.”

Programming and Web Development students demonstrated how to use BMI and blood pressure tracking apps, while Cosmetology students provided tips for stress relief while offering hand massages and Paraffin wax treatment. Attendees could also receive a yoga lesson, gain information about the opioid reversal drug Narcan by Trinity EMS and learn about services available through the CVS MinuteClinic.

“We’re excited to partner with the American Heart Association on this important initiative to ensure that both men and women understand the importance of cardiovascular health,” Superintendent Mastrocola said. “This was another great event and students did a great job presenting to their peers and guests on their topic.”

The event featured a collaboration with a number of industry representatives, showcasing the strong array of partnerships developed between GLTHS and private industry.

Internally, several students in different concentration areas were involved in the effort, including culinary students working with hospitality students to distribute healthy, portioned snacks in the cafeteria and health assisting students working with medical assisting students on presentations. SkillsUSA students were also working to welcome guests as they arrived.

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GLTS Partners with Greater Lawrence Family Health Center for Reggies on the Move Program

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Greater Lawrence Technical School
Superintendent John Lavoie
57 River Rd, Andover,
MA 01810

For Immediate Release

Friday, Dec. 21, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

GLTS Partners with Greater Lawrence Family Health Center for Reggies on the Move Program

Members of GLTS’ Reggies on the Move embrace health and fitness during the after school program. (Courtesy Photo GLTS)

LAWRENCE — GLTS students are embracing health and fitness through the school’s Reggies on the Move program.

Facilitated by staff from the school-based Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and GLTS staff, the after school club works by getting participants moving while connecting with their bodies.

“What’s great about Reggies on the Move is that students and their friends can come and hang out with each other while engaging in healthy activities,” said GLFHC nurse practitioner Lisa Howe. “We often see kids branching out and making friends they wouldn’t have otherwise, which is so great.”

The program is designed after former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign, which works to set children up with healthy futures. GLTS and GLFHC first launched its program in 2009, focusing on offering a space for students not involved in traditional sports to come after school and engage in healthy activities.

Reggies on the Move is set up to run in conjunction with regularly scheduled sports programs, so three sessions are offered throughout the year. Participants meet after school on Tuesday through Thursday from 2:30-5:30 p.m. and complete activities that incorporate nutrition, wellness and exercise.

Now in its winter session, Reggies on the Move starts with students setting a goal they hope to reach by the end of the term. The program is capped at 30 students each session and is regularly at capacity.

Junior Jacob McConniel, of Lawrence, has been involved in the club since he was a freshman, and has served the last two years as a leader of Reggies on the Move. In this position, he assists volunteers and GLTS with facilitating activities and leading students while outside on the trails.

“If you want to set any type of health or wellness goal in your life and work to achieve it, Reggies on the Move is a great place to do it,” McConniel said. “It’s like a family here — we all get along and there’s no judgment.”

Students begin each meeting with a healthy snack and then proceed with a warm up walk outside on the trail in the woods adjacent to the school or around the building — with participants aiming to increase the distance they complete each time — that is followed by a presentation on nutrition and wellness.

From 4:15-5 p.m., members then head to the wellness and/or weight room to participate in group activities. The evening ends with a 25-minute stretch and cool down activity before students catch the 5:30 p.m. after school bus.

The program is run by GLTS faculty Treacy Shields, Kerri Domahowski and paraprofessional Kathy Mulry along with GLFHC nurse practitioners Howe and Elane Lee, social worker Jessie Gadd, medical assistant Leticia Batista and nutritionist Kathie Stanton.

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