Tag Archives: Family and Parenting

The Whole Child Triples Home Visiting Program for Children and Their Parents – Prenatal to Five Years

WHITTIER, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Whole Child is thrilled to announce the agency has been awarded the Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Program contract through the Department of Public Health that will triple their existing program. This contract will allow The Whole Child to increase client capacity by 300% as well as expand our geographic reach deeper into Los Angeles County Service Planning Area (SPA) 7 Southeast Los Angeles County and newly enter Service Planning Area (SPA) 3 San Gabriel Valley.

"The most exciting piece of this program expansion is the removal of barriers to enter the program for families to access these important services," explains Constanza Pachon, CEO of The Whole Child. "The challenges of parenthood do not discriminate; every new parent needs support."

Parents as Teachers curriculum (https://parentsasteachers.org) promotes optimal early development, learning and health for young children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers. This program is designed to help build a strong parent-child bond through practicing attachment activities and monthly socialization groups are held to help parents of young children feel more supported and less isolated. Developmental screenings are provided an opportunity for early detection and intervention, so children can enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Parent Educators identify and link families to additional community-based resources to address needs of the family outside of child development. Unique to The Whole Child, car seat safety workshops, infant massage and lactation consultation services are offered to our clients.

Becoming a new parent or caregiver can be overwhelming, challenging and defeating while at the same time be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. There are several reasons for these challenges. Our Parent Educators are trained to help each caregiver feel supported and confident in their ability to be their child's best first teacher.

Last year The Whole Child served more than 160 families through these prevention services. Our staff detected 17 developmental delays with valuable time to provide early intervention for each child to get the support they need to be kindergarten-ready. We distributed over 50 car seats through our monthly Car Seat Safety Workshop offered in English and Spanish on alternating months.

The Whole Child's Home Visiting program under Parent Enrichment services is a free and voluntary home-based visiting program for pregnant women, and caregivers with a child between 0 - 3 years of age.

For more information, please visit our website at https://www.thewholechild.org/. Families are now able to self-refer on our website by submitting the Get Help form and selecting Parent Enrichment.

About The Whole Child:

The Whole Child is a 62-year-old 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing mental health, family housing, parent enrichment and nutrition education services to some of the most vulnerable families in Los Angeles County. Our mission is to help families raise emotionally and physically healthy children and have a place to call home. To find out more, please visit us at https://www.thewholechild.org/.

Follow us on social at: @thewholechildca

Media Contact
Micki Charley
Communications & Community Engagement Manager
mcharley@thewholechild.org
(562) 692-0383 x265

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/sD_F68Dkyyc

The Whole Child is thrilled to announce the agency has been awarded the Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Program contract through the Department of Public Health that will triple their existing program. This contract will allow The Whole Child to increase client capacity by 300% as well as expand our geographic reach deeper into Los Angeles County Service Planning Area (SPA) 7 Southeast Los Angeles County and newly enter Service Planning Area (SPA) 3 San Gabriel Valley.

Related link: https://www.thewholechild.org/

Over 1,000 Summer Camp Scholarships Available to Local Children Through ActivityHero’s Camp and Class Marketplace

PALO ALTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- For the first time, families who struggle to make ends meet can apply for multiple summer camp scholarships with ActivityHero's simple online registration. Over 1,000 scholarships are available at 50 summer camps for as little as $20. Participating camps include BrainVyne (Palo Alto, CA and other Bay Area locations), Camp Perigee (Berkeley, CA), CD's Art Studio (San Jose, CA), Game Time Basketball (Henderson, NV), The Paintbrush (Chicago, IL) and many more.

While some summer camps already offer financial aid, each has its own application process and deadline. ActivityHero's scholarship program allows families to apply for multiple summer camps with one application, saving time and increasing the success of receiving a scholarship.

"We have an amazing variety of summer camps, extracurricular activities and sports on ActivityHero," said Peggy Chang, Co-Founder and CEO of ActivityHero. "We want all children to have access to high-quality summer experiences and social and learning benefits."

In particular, summertime poses challenges for working parents to fill in the 11-12 weeks that school is out. "If there is a gap in childcare coverage, mothers are usually the ones that stay home with the kids, which can impact their career," Chang said. "By providing an easy way to find camps, and connecting them with scholarships, we want to help mothers reach their full potential in the workplace while their kids gain new experiences at camp."

This is the first time that many of the participating camps are offering financial aid. "I've always wanted to offer scholarships but I didn't know how to start," said CD Hullinger of CD's Art Studio. "ActivityHero's scholarship program makes it easy to offer a few spots without the administrative work."

Families can apply for a scholarship at ActivityHero.com. Scholarships are available for children ages 5-17. Household income and family size will determine scholarship eligibility. Cash contributions from local families help more children attend summer camp.

Apply at: https://www.activityhero.com/biz/summer-camp-scholarship/camp-scholarship-application

About ActivityHero:

ActivityHero is the leading online marketplace for kids camps, activities and after school classes. Families book local activities with one easy registration. Activity providers can claim and customize their listing and use online tools to get new customers. ActivityHero also sponsors an annual $10,000 grant contest for providers of kids camps and classes. Founded by Silicon Valley female engineers, ActivityHero is backed by investors from Inventus Capital, 500 Startups, Google, Facebook and LinkedIn. For more information, visit https://www.ActivityHero.com.

Media Contact:
Peggy Chang
ActivityHero
info@activityhero.com

or the first time, families who struggle to make ends meet can apply for multiple summer camp scholarships with ActivityHero's simple online registration. Over 1,000 scholarships are available at 50 summer camps for as little as $20.

Related link: https://www.ActivityHero.com/

Nayah Solutions, Inc. announces the launch of a free calendar for STEAM events for kids

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Nayah Solutions, Inc., an educational training company, announces the launch of Nayah STEAM for Kids, a free calendar that lists science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) events in the San Francisco Bay area.

With Nayah STEAM for Kids, parents can find awesome events where they can spend quality time with their children as they learn STEAM concepts. The calendar lets parents search STEAM events by keyword and date, and filter events with different views, such as by month, as a list, and more.

"We are elated to provide this free service for parents in the Bay Area," said BeLinda Nichols, founder and chief of Nayah STEAM for Kids. "According to the New York Times, over a million tech jobs will be available over the next decade, but not enough people will be qualified to fill these roles. We believe more kids would be interested in these careers if parents introduced them to STEAM at an early age. Attending STEAM events as a fun, family experience encourages kids to study and excel in STEAM subjects, and eventually land rewarding STEAM careers."

Ray Mays, Jr., Director at Teach for America in Oakland, California, believes the calendar "promotes events where students engage in hands-on, rigorous, and engaging activities that foster a strong passion for STEAM. Encouraging our earliest learners to have a love and passion for STEAM gives them the skill sets to thrive in an ever-changing technological world."

About Nayah STEAM for Kids:

Nayah STEAM for Kids, a subsidiary of Nayah Solutions, Inc., is a free calendar that provides a comprehensive list of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) events in the San Francisco Bay area. Learn more at https://nayahsteamforkids.com or follow us on Twitter @nayahsteam.

Nayah Solutions, Inc., an educational training company, announces the launch of Nayah STEAM for Kids, a free calendar that lists science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) events in the San Francisco Bay area.

Related link: https://nayahsteamforkids.com/

The Junior Women’s Association Is Hosting Their 5th Annual Derby Dash 5K

TULSA, Okla /ScoopCloud/ -- Join us Friday, May 10 at River West Festival Park as the Junior Women's Association of the Tulsa Boys' Home will be hosting their first ever 5k night race with food, music and fun after! The 5k walk/run is sure to be entertaining for the whole family, including your fury loved ones. Proceeds from the event will help pay for food, clothing, and other day-to-day living expenses for the young boys residing at Tulsa Boys' Home in their pursuit of a better life.

Registration options include a 5k and a 1 mile Fun Run. The 5k will be $30 ($25 for 12 and under) and the fun run will be $15 ($10 for 12 and under). Registration may be completed online or in person before races begin. All registrations completed within a reasonable timeframe before the event will be guaranteed an event shirt.

To register for this year's Tulsa Boys' Home 5K Derby Dash, please visit: http://tbhjuniorwomen.com/fundraisers/tbh-5k/ or contact jwaderbydash@gmail.com

Tulsa Boys' Home helps 11 to 18-year-old boys with emotional, behavioral, and substance abuse problems, and houses 64 boys a day, 365 days a year. TBH is a Tulsa Area United Way Partner Agency located in west Tulsa County on 160 acres at 2727 S. 137th W. Avenue in Sand Springs. For more information about Tulsa Boys' Home or to schedule a tour, visit their website at https://www.tulsaboyshome.org/.

The Junior Women Association was formed in 1938, for the purpose of contributing to the mental and physical well-being of the boys. They have given of their love, time, talents, and resources for many years.

In the 1950s, they organized a Christmas card sales program that continues today. Through fundraisers, the Junior Women contribute in a variety of significant ways, providing food and clothing, organizing holiday parties, and hand-picking gifts for TBH boys, visiting the lodges once a month for special activities and/or outings, and more. Some of the activities include pumpkin carving, holiday decorating, sporting events, bowling, and many other activities. The Junior Women's Association of the Tulsa Boys' Home hosted the first Derby Dash (5K) in 2015. The run took place on beautiful morning at Turkey Mountain. The turnout was beyond amazing - so we've decided to continue the tradition For more information about the Junior Women's Association, please see their website - http://tbhjuniorwomen.com/ - or visit their Facebook page.

Join us Friday, May 10 at River West Festival Park as the Junior Women's Association of the Tulsa Boys' Home will be hosting their first ever 5k night race with food, music and fun after! The 5k walk/run is sure to be entertaining for the whole family, including your fury loved ones.

Related link: https://www.tulsaboyshome.org/

New Research Sheds Light on Potential Role of Febrile Seizures and Other Risk Factors in Sudden Deaths in Children

ROSELAND, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The SUDC Foundation highlights newly-published research from the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) that identifies an increased rate of febrile seizures among children who die suddenly, both with and without explanation. The authors of the article report the need for more research to identify febrile seizure patients at higher risk, as well as other potential risk factors of sudden death in children.

The published research, entitled "Sudden Deaths in Children: Potential Role of Febrile Seizures and Other Risk Factors," examined 391 cases of both Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and sudden, explained deaths in children between the ages of 1 and 6 years from 2001-2017. Among those studied, 28.8 percent of SUDC cases and 22.1 percent of sudden, explained cases also had a reported history of febrile seizures. In comparison, two to five percent of the general population experience febrile seizures. These findings mark the first time a significant increase in febrile seizures was found among sudden, explained child deaths.

"Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood remains a tragic disorder that claims far too many lives and has been the subject of far too little research and public awareness," said Orrin Devinsky, M.D., of New York University Langone Health.

"This study has brought us closer to understanding the causes of some SUDC cases," said Daniel Friedman, M.D., of New York University Langone Health. "In the past decade, there have significant advances in understanding the mechanisms of seizure-related sudden death in people with epilepsy through animal models. This study provides the rational for extending these models to help identify risk biomarkers and preventative strategies for SUDC as well."

"I hope our analysis provides some reassurance to families who lost children to SUDC in that we did not identify a single case of unexplained sibling death," said Laura Gould Crandall, lead author and Executive Director and Co-founder of the SUDC Foundation. "To improve our understanding of SUDC, we need population-based studies where we examine cases that better reflect the general population and are informed by standardized investigations with additional testing, including genetic testing."

SUDC is a category of death in children over the age of one year which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation and autopsy. Most often, SUDC occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep. At least 400 children are lost to SUDC in the United States every year.

The research also indicated the children in the study were over four times more likely to die during sleep in the SUDC cases as opposed to the sudden, explained cases. And none of the children studied had a sibling who also died prematurely from SUDC.

The full article will be available at 11 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 26, 2019.

To learn more about SUDC and the SUDC Foundation, please visit https://sudc.org/.

Additional information on "Sudden Deaths in Children: Potential Role of Febrile Seizures and Other Risk Factors": Data for this study was collected from 622 family members of children who died suddenly and unexpectedly and voluntarily registered with the SUDC Foundation. The family members provided the data evaluated through a comprehensive interview on medical and social histories and circumstances of death and forensic evaluations revealed an explained or unexplained cause of death (SUDC). Over 59 percent were male and the average age at death was 24.9 months.

About the SUDC Foundation:
The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families.

The SUDC Foundation highlights newly-published research from the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) that identifies an increased rate of febrile seizures among children who die suddenly, both with and without explanation. The authors of the article report the need for more research.

Related link: https://sudc.org/

ChildFirst Behavior Therapy to sponsor upcoming autism walk on Chicago’s North Shore

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- ChildFirst Behavior Therapy, a local provider of progressive ABA therapy for children affected by autism, announced today that it has sponsored the upcoming Autism Speaks Walk on Chicago's North Shore on April 28, 2019.

"As the parent of a child with autism, I know how important it is to support other families facing the same challenges," said Ashley Musial, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and founder of ChildFirst Behavior Therapy. "We're proud to be a part of the Illinois autism community and we know that together, we can bring each other hope for what's ahead."

The Autism Speaks Walk is the world's largest fundraising event dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with autism. Families and supporters will travel 2-3 miles around New Trier High School with the goal of raising $195,000 to increase awareness and support for children affected by autism. ChildFirst will meet new families during the event at a sponsored tent marked by green and white ChildFirst balloons.

For Musial, supporting Autism Speaks is a natural extension of ChildFirst's community outreach, which also includes speaking engagements for parent groups.

"Every time we interact with another family like ours, we have a chance to make a difference in their lives," Musial said. "Our entire practice is excited to help make an impact."

To learn more about ChildFirst, visit: https://www.childfirstbehaviortherapy.com/.

About ChildFirst Behavior Therapy:

ChildFirst Behavior Therapy is a provider of progressive ABA therapy in Virginia and in the Chicagoland area. The practice offers therapy that is responsive, respectful and tailored to each child's needs, treating patients from birth up to age 26. ChildFirst's goal is to bring hope to families affected by autism and other behavioral challenges, creating a supportive environment that involves parents and siblings in the healing process.

ChildFirst Behavior Therapy, a local provider of progressive ABA therapy for children affected by autism, announced today that it has sponsored the upcoming Autism Speaks Walk on Chicago's North Shore on April 28, 2019.

Nirmala Narine’s YA Historical Fantasy Novel with Diverse Characters, Lays the Foundation for a Whole New Crop of Environmentalists

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Vanadala Publishing (www.nirmalanarine.com), a division of NNGL, announces the publication of "Ellishiva Cinnamon and The Sixth Element" (ISBN: 978-0996207126, paperback), a novel of environmental stewardship, by best-selling author, social responsible entrepreneur, humanitarian and global lifestyle television host, Nirmala Narine.

"Ellishiva honors the lives of millennials and Gen Z of all backgrounds," says Narine, "bringing awareness to a catastrophic Earth they might one day inherit, through the lens of Mother Nature, humanized in the novel as the Va'Nature race."

New York City - 1600 CE - The island of Manhattan is a dense unpolluted jungle. Known only by the ancient Lenape name of Mannahatta, this lush and wild jungle holds an impossible secret hidden from human eyes.

A world where the Va'Natures, endangered and extinct animals, and fantastic beasts now have a voice and are elevated above their current status; alien species serve as analogies to human affairs and magically becomes a metaphor for responsible understanding and management of the Earth's resources and fragile eco-system.

"My new female superhero! Yummy plant-based recipes, unique martial arts, yoga - I can easily unearth Elli's magical world into mine," says Nectarios Rodriguez, age 13, New Paltz Middle School, N.Y.

AS WAR, GREED, POLLUTION AND DEVASTATION drag the natural world to the edge of massive extinction; the Va'Nature Supreme Being brings a child to life: Ellishiva Cinnamon. Deep in the colony of Mannahatta and under the tutelage of her guardian Rajah, twelve-year-old Ellishiva spends her days nurturing saplings for human sustenance and maladies. Relatable to any child today, Ellishiva must deal with her pain-in-the-butt brother Hektor, her clingy little sister Amber, and her well-meaning caretaker, Lady Malinia - the world's biggest nag.

But Ellishiva's protected ecosystem of endangered species shatters one day when the wrath of an ancient evil enters her world, ambushes her, and speaks a cryptic prophecy. Worst of all, no one will believe her story, not even her best friend, Samara. As the evil gains strength and threatens to destroy all she holds dear, Ellishiva must grapple with fear, trust and the dangerous task of discovering organic magic to sustain Earth's ecosystem-or stand by and watch everyone she loves, and the Earth itself, perish. Through it all, Ellishiva struggles with bullying, self-esteem, peer pressure and the knowledge that she was born of duty, not love.

"For centuries, our ancestors shared time-honored values across generations and kinship with their environment. Ellishiva is a cultural injection - inspiration for climate-change naysayers -enchanting botany and biology back-story - a role model to empower girls and helps to erode the crumbling tropes that science is for the opposite gender," says Narine.

About Author Nirmala Narine:

Nirmala scribbled her first words on mango trees, as well as the side of her unpainted childhood home in Guyana, South America. When Nirmala was ten years old, she and her family left her densely jungled village for another jungle: New York City. There, Nirmala traded mango trees for keyboards, and never looked back.

Nirmala has traveled to more than 167 countries, is a sought-after global trends expert, and is the founder of Nirmala Narine Global Living, revealing a mindful path to healthy eating habits, global foods, beauty secrets, and the environment. She is the author of multiple best-selling travel-memoir cookbooks, television host of Nirmala's Spice World, and the founder of Nirmala's Farmstead, a foundation dedicated to empowering sexually abused orphans and cultivating future generations of agricultural leaders.

"Ellishiva Cinnamon" is her debut novel series. For more information visit: http://www.ellishivacinnamon.com.

BOOK SUMMARY:
Title: "Ellishiva Cinnamon and The Sixth Element Author: Nirmala Narine"
Publisher: Vanadala Publishing (ISBN: 978-0996207126)
Available in paperback, hardcover and Epub, sold through Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble and through https://www.nirmalanarine.com/.

Review copies and interviews arranged on request.

YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH1sl66KqjXvvu1jklBCgcQ

Twitter: @NirmalaNarine #EllishivaCinnamon #VaNatures #NirmalaNarine #GirlsInStem #PlantBased #1SpiceInfinitePossibilities

Vanadala Publishing, a division of NNGL, announces the publication of "Ellishiva Cinnamon and The Sixth Element" (ISBN: 978-0996207126, paperback), a novel of environmental stewardship, by best-selling author, social responsible entrepreneur, humanitarian and global lifestyle television host, Nirmala Narine.

Related link: https://www.nirmalanarine.com/

SUDC Foundation Applauds Reintroduction of Federal Bill to Address Unexpected Child, Infant Deaths

ROSELAND, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The SUDC Foundation is pleased to support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, legislation reintroduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Doug Jones (D-AL) and U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Tom Cole (OK-04) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) to combat sudden, unexpected infant and child deaths. The legislation was introduced in honor of Scarlett Pauley, who was lost to SUDC in January 2017 when she was just 16 months old.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is a category of death in children over the age of one year which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation and autopsy. Most often, SUDC occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep. Approximately 400 children are lost to SUDC in the United States every year.

"This legislation is named 'Scarlett's Sunshine' after a little girl who was lost to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood," said Senator Casey. "I wanted to honor Scarlett's memory and make sure that the federal government is taking all possible steps to ensure that no family will have to suffer the death of a child, without knowing why. It's appalling that approximately 400 children ages 1-18 and over 3,600 infants each year are dying from these unexplained causes. I urge my colleagues to join us in this bipartisan, bicameral effort."

"I'm honored to join my colleagues in reintroducing this important bill in memory of Scarlett Lillian Pauley and to help prevent the unexpected deaths of any more beautiful children in our community. No one deserves the heartache of losing a child. Not knowing the cause only compounds this awful pain. This issue hits close to home for me as my own state, Wisconsin, struggles with high infant mortality rates among African Americans. And to be clear, SUID/SIDS/SUDC is not a parenting issue. Parents, regardless of background or economic status should not have to live with this uncertainly and fear of losing their precious children and babies, and we're teaming up to do something about it," Congresswoman Moore said.

"While it is the fifth leading category of death among children ages 1 to 4, SUDC has not been directly addressed in our federal policy in regard to surveillance, research or prevention strategies," said Laura Gould Crandall, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the SUDC Foundation. "We can and we must do better. We applaud Senator Casey's and Congresswoman Moore's leadership on behalf of SUDC families worldwide and look forward to working with them to achieve our mission of a future free of SUDC."

"On January 8th, 2017, our lives were shattered when our beautiful, healthy, thriving daughter, Scarlett Lillian Pauley, went to sleep and never woke up. And we do not know why," said Stephanie Zarecky and Ryan Pauley. "Losing a child is the single greatest pain we could ever imagine and living without answers magnifies the tragedy exponentially. We try every day to spread Scarlett's Sunshine, allowing her memory to shine on and bring light to SUDC, the medical mystery that took her from us. We thank Senator Casey and Congresswoman Moore for their leadership on Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act in honor of Scarlett and all of the other children who are deeply loved and missed."

If passed into law, Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act would supply grants to help states, municipalities and nonprofits improve data collection and death scene investigations related to unexpected infant and child deaths, promote safe sleep practices and ensure death reviews are completed for 100 percent of infant and child fatalities. Currently, there are no nationwide standards for investigating and collecting data following an infant or child death. This makes it often impossible to determine the causes of these deaths, and what strategies our country can implement to prevent these tragedies.

This bill has been cosponsored by Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Susan K. DelBene (D-WA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Peter King (R-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Matt Cartwright (D-PA) in the House of Representatives. It has also been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, March of Dimes, Children's Hospital Association, Cribs for Kids, First Candle, KID: Fighting for Product Safety and the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild of Seattle Children's Hospital.

To learn more and support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, please visit: https://sudc.org/advocacy/scarletts-sunshine-act

About the SUDC Foundation:

The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families. Learn more: https://sudc.org.

The SUDC Foundation is pleased to support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, legislation reintroduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Doug Jones (D-AL) and U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Tom Cole (OK-04) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) to combat sudden, unexpected infant and child deaths.

Related link: https://sudc.org/

Teens at Highest Risk for Fatal Allergic Reactions: Teen Offers Life Saving Strategies in New Book

SYRACUSE, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Teens with food allergies are at the greatest risk of suffering a fatal reaction. Fifteen-year-old Olivier Deldicque is on a mission to change that. His new book, "When Every Bite Matters: One Teen's Journey with Food Allergies" (ISBN: 978-0578418537; Pop Fly Publishing) outlines life saving tips and advice for teens coping with food allergies.

Living with life-threatening food allergies himself, Deldicque's goal is to make his book available to all food allergic teens, especially the newly diagnosed.

"I wrote the book I wish someone had given me," Deldicque stated. "It's hard enough being a teenager but having life threatening food allergies complicates life even more. My story reminds other teens they aren't alone. I want to decrease anxiety among teens and their families and show that it's possible to lead a "normal" life while managing allergies. I have allergies but I still go to parties, play sports, eat out and travel."

An estimated 32 million Americans have food allergies including 5.6 million under the age of 18. Incidents of food allergies are on the rise. A Centers for Disease Control study found food allergies in children rose 50 percent between 1997-2011. The teenage demographic presents unique risks.

"Many factors converge during the teenage years that make it more dangerous for allergic reactions. Teens are becoming more independent and start to manage their allergies themselves rather than always having a parent around watching out for them. Teens are also more likely to engage in risky behavior. At the same time, they don't want to draw attention to themselves by talking about their allergies or carrying their medication. This can be deadly," Deldicque warns.

"When Every Bite Matters" includes information on how food allergic teens can navigate social activities, dining out, traveling, deciphering food labels and finding the support they need.

While written with food allergic teens in mind, Deldicque says his target audience is broader: "My book is important for anyone who has a friend or family member with food allergies. The more people understand and the more information we share about food allergies will save lives and hopefully bring us closer to more treatments and a possible cure."

"When Every Bite Matters" is currently available at Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578418533/.

For more information visit: https://wheneverybitematters.com/ and https://popflypublishing.com/.

Follow on Twitter at: @allergicteen1 - https://twitter.com/allergicteen1

Teens with food allergies are at the greatest risk of suffering a fatal reaction. Fifteen-year-old Olivier Deldicque is on a mission to change that. His new book, "When Every Bite Matters: One Teen's Journey with Food Allergies" (ISBN: 978-0578418537; Pop Fly Publishing) outlines life saving tips and advice for teens coping with food allergies.

Related link: https://popflypublishing.com/

New Toy Library and Family Meetup Designed to Inspire Minds and Build Community

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Funbee Toys is a one-of-a-kind toy library in the greater Sacramento area that also serves as a meetup for families with babies to preschoolers.

Diana Mau, Funbee Toys' founder, says that, "What makes Funbee Toys unique is not only the 1,500 plus collection of eco-friendly toys by world-renowned brands such as Haba, Plan Toys, and Hape, and its mission to make these toys accessible to all, but also its meetups that encourage families to build friendships, create fun memories, and support each other during their journey as parents with little ones."

Toy pick-ups are set to begin in April at the following locations: Davis Food Co-op, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, and Origin Coffee & Tea in Rocklin. More locations will be added in the future, depending on demand, to serve the community and instill their meaningful mission.

The Funbee Toys Events meetup is the RSVP site for toy pick-ups as well as other community events such as potluck picnics, outings to child-centered locations and dining fundraisers for the Free Toy Membership Fund. All parents/guardians with children under 4 are welcome to join the events.

The toy pick-up events are for Funbee Toys members only.

Upcoming Events:

Those who wish to experience Funbee Toys first-hand are invited to attend the free "Come Play with Funbee Toys" scheduled for Saturday, March 16, 2019 from 10:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Origin Coffee (reserved window room) in Rocklin; or on Sunday, March 17 from 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at the Stephen's Library (Blanchard Room) in Davis.

There is also a "Meet and Greet" at the Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op (upstairs dining tables) on Saturday, March 23 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. as well as meetups posted for Bertha Henschel Park (March 19), Universal Playground (March 30), and the Davis Arboretum (March 31).

About Funbee Toys:

Years ago, Funbee Toys founder Diana Mau enjoyed visiting the Davis Toy Closet, a small toy library, with her children. Today, her kids are older, but she continues to enjoy her time with little ones while working as a professional nanny. She recently learned that the toy closet no longer existed, so she decided it was time to start her own - one that offered a greater selection of high-quality, eco-friendly, and educational toys as well as a rewarding social experience for local families.

Registration for toy pickups is currently open at: https://www.funbeetoys.com/ and sign-up and other information about meetups can be found here: https://www.meetup.com/Funbee-Toys-Events/

Email questions and comments to: info@funbeetoys.com.

Funbee Toys is a one-of-a-kind toy library in the greater Sacramento area that also serves as a meetup for families with babies to preschoolers. The Funbee Toys Events meetup is the RSVP site for toy pick-ups as well as other community events such as potluck picnics, and outings to child-centered locations.

Related link: https://www.funbeetoys.com/

Award-winning Galileo Camps Coming to Wicker Park, Illinois, Summer 2019

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- Galileo Camps (Galileo Learning, LLC), one of the most renowned summer day camp providers in the country, will be putting down community roots in Wicker Park this summer at Pritzker Elementary School on July 8, 2019.

Galileo's mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. This work is more important today than ever before. There are two primary programs-Camp Galileo (preK-5th grade) and Galileo Summer Quest (5th-8th grade). In a whimsical, one-of-a-kind, joyful summer setting, kids and staff learn what it means to be a true innovator. Through imaginative themes and majors, they learn to apply a comprehensive yet straightforward framework called The Galileo Innovation Approach(R), which has been proven by a Stanford study to have lasting impact.

Founded by CEO Glen Tripp in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2002, Galileo first expanded to Chicagoland in 2016. After three years in the region, camps here have grown to serving 11 communities.

"As a Chicago native and parent, it has been so fulfilling to bring Galileo's fun and magic to the families who are closest to my heart. This program really does help kids develop 21st century learning skills, while improving their confidence to be bold-thinking changemakers at a time when the world needs it the most," says Tajalli Horvat, Senior VP of Midwest Operations.

Learn more: https://galileo-camps.com/our-camps/locations/cg-chicago-pritzker-elementary-school/

About Galileo:

Galileo operates 100+ summer camps throughout California and Illinois where more than 35,000 kids and over 2,500 staff will invent, design, create and play in summer 2019. Galileo's mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. Founded in 2002 by Glen Tripp, Galileo is a certified B Corp, a Real Leaders' 2019 Top Impact Company, and was also named one of Forbes' Best Small Companies in 2017. Information: https://galileo-camps.com/

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/QW1DTyeI5NM

Galileo Camps (Galileo Learning, LLC), one of the most renowned summer day camp providers in the country, will be putting down community roots in Wicker Park this summer at Pritzker Elementary School on July 8, 2019.

Related link: https://galileo-camps.com/

Award-winning Galileo Camps Coming to Thousand Oaks, Calif. Summer 2019

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Galileo Camps (Galileo Learning, LLC), one of the most renowned summer day camp providers in the country, will be putting down community roots in Thousand Oaks this summer at St. Paschal Baylon School on June 24, 2019.

Galileo's mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. This work is more important today than ever before. There are two primary programs-Camp Galileo (preK-5th grade) and Galileo Summer Quest (5th-8th grade). In a whimsical, one-of-a-kind, joyful summer setting, kids and staff learn what it means to be a true innovator.

Through imaginative themes and majors, they learn to apply a comprehensive yet straightforward framework called The Galileo Innovation Approach(r), which has been proven by a Stanford study to have lasting impact. Information on study: https://galileo-camps.com/why-galileo/stanford-study/.

Founded by CEO Glen Tripp in the Bay Area in 2002, Galileo first expanded to Southern California in 2015. After three years in the region, SoCal camps have grown to serve 26 communities.

"As a SoCal native and parent, it has been so fulfilling to bring Galileo magic to the families who are closest to my heart. This program really does teach kids how to be hopeful, bold-thinking changemakers at a time when the world needs it most," says Sarah McDonald, VP of Southern California Operations.

Learn more: https://galileo-camps.com/our-camps/locations/cg-thousand-oaks-st-paschal-baylon-school/

About Galileo:
Galileo operates 100+ summer camps throughout California and Illinois where more than 35,000 kids and over 2,500 staff will invent, design, create and play in summer 2019. Galileo's mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. Founded in 2002 by Glen Tripp, Galileo is a certified B Corp, a Real Leaders' 2019 Top Impact Company, and was also named one of Forbes' Best Small Companies in 2017.

Learn more about Galileo Camps: https://galileo-camps.com/

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/QW1DTyeI5NM

Media Contact:
Viva Asmelash
(510) 595-7293 ext 2
viva@galileo-learning.com

Galileo Camps (Galileo Learning, LLC), one of the most renowned summer day camp providers in the country, will be putting down community roots in Thousand Oaks this summer at St. Paschal Baylon School on June 24, 2019.

Related link: https://galileo-camps.com/

Galileo Camps Coming to Arcadia, California Summer 2019

ARCADIA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Galileo Camps (Galileo Learning, LLC), one of the most renowned summer day camp providers in the country, will be putting down community roots this summer at Barnhart School on June 17, 2019.

Galileo's mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. This work is more important today than ever before. There are two primary programs-Camp Galileo (preK-5th grade) and Galileo Summer Quest (5th-8th grade). In a whimsical, one-of-a-kind, joyful summer setting, kids and staff learn what it means to be a true innovator.

Through imaginative themes and majors, they learn to apply a comprehensive yet straightforward framework called The Galileo Innovation Approach(R), which has been proven by a Stanford study to have lasting impact.

Founded by CEO Glen Tripp in the Bay Area in 2002, Galileo first expanded to Southern California in 2015. After three years in the region, SoCal camps have grown to serve 26 communities. "As a SoCal native and parent, it has been so fulfilling to bring Galileo magic to the families who are closest to my heart.

"This program really does teach kids how to be hopeful, bold-thinking changemakers at a time when the world needs it most," says Sarah McDonald, VP of Southern California Operations.

Learn more at: https://galileo-camps.com/our-camps/locations/cg-arcadia-barnhart-school/

About Galileo:
Galileo operates 100+ summer camps throughout California and Illinois where more than 35,000 kids and over 2,500 staff will invent, design, create and play in summer 2019. Galileo's mission is to develop innovators who envision and create a better world. Founded in 2002 by Glen Tripp, Galileo is a certified B Corp, a Real Leaders' 2019 Top Impact Company, and was also named one of Forbes' Best Small Companies in 2017. Learn more at: https://galileo-camps.com/

VIDEO (YouTube): https://youtu.be/QW1DTyeI5NM

Galileo Camps (Galileo Learning, LLC), one of the most renowned summer day camp providers in the country, will be putting down community roots this summer at Barnhart School on June 17, 2019.

Related link: https://galileo-camps.com/

Papa Announces Appointment of Industry Veteran Chuck Hector to Executive Team

MIAMI, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Papa, Inc., the nation's first human companionship platform for seniors, today announced the appointment of healthcare benefit industry veteran Chuck Hector as Chief Growth Officer. Mr. Hector will play an instrumental role in leading the company's expansion of its "Grandkids On-Demand" service to address the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness in our nation's senior segment.

He will be responsible for Papa's product and revenue strategies, sales and client success, as well as strategic alliances to drive distribution to seniors.

"Papa has quickly become central to the conversation around the social determinants of health for seniors," explains Andrew Parker, Papa Founder and CEO. "Chuck brings 20 years of experience bringing new and innovative solutions to market, and will surely accelerate our growth and expansion, partake in the evolution of our vision and help establish new benchmarks for addressing senior isolation. He is a key addition to our executive leadership team," said Parker.

Before joining Papa, Inc., Mr. Hector was Chief Revenue Officer of MDLIVE, Inc., a telehealth industry leader, where he managed sales, implementation and client success for 8 years, guiding the membership growth to 35M members. He also spent 4 years with IncentOne, the online platform for incentive-based activity tracking, and 3 years with Chicago based ComPsych, the national leader in employee assistance and work-life benefits.

"I couldn't be more excited to join Papa at a stage when they are gaining national attention for their work," says Hector. "I know the subject of senior loneliness hits very close to home for me, and many of friends who have aging parents. Papa will go a long way to stem the tide of this epidemic and the associated expense to health plans and employers."

Hector graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Illinois and earned his MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, with a concentration in healthcare administration. He will continue to reside in Deerfield, Ill. with his wife Kari, and their four children. He will assume his duties on March 4, 2019.

About Papa, Inc.:

Based in Miami Florida, Papa, Inc. is the first and only end to end companionship platform targeting seniors that allows the member to self-direct the experience, while gathering helpful information to improve the members interaction with their insurer. Through the "Grandkids On-Demand" product line, Medicare, Medicaid and Duals members receive access to college enrolled students for companionship, light house work and transportation. Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian is the notable seed investor and will guide the Y Combinator graduated company through Series A funding.

For more information, visit: https://www.joinpapa.com/

Papa, Inc., the nation's first human companionship platform for seniors, today announced the appointment of healthcare benefit industry veteran Chuck Hector as Chief Growth Officer. Mr. Hector will play an instrumental role in leading the company's expansion of its "Grandkids On-Demand" service to address the epidemic of social isolation and loneliness in our nation's senior segment.

Related link: https://www.joinpapa.com/

Twenty States Proclaim March SUDC Awareness Month for Unexplained Childhood Deaths

ROSELAND, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation is pleased to announce 20 states, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and West Virginia have made statewide proclamations declaring March 2019 SUDC Awareness Month.

These are the first states to join a nationwide effort led by the SUDC Foundation to raise awareness of one of the most under-recognized medical tragedies of our time, marking the beginning of a month-long campaign all over the world.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is a category of death in children over the age of 1 year which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation and autopsy. Most often, SUDC occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep. Approximately 400 children are lost to SUDC in the United States every year.

"We want every family who loses a child to SUDC to be able to find the SUDC Foundation to get support as soon they need us," said Laura Gould Crandall, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the SUDC Foundation. "These families too often feel lost and alone in their grief, without information, resources or knowledge that other families exist with a similar loss. Raising awareness of SUDC is essential to our work to support those affected by SUDC and advocate for research that will help us create a world without SUDC."

The SUDC Foundation will once again honor SUDC Awareness Month by hosting weekly activities for every SUDC supporter to raise awareness of SUDC and remember the children gone far too soon.

To learn more, please visit: https://sudc.org/advocacy/sudc-awareness-month.

The SUDC Foundation is advocating for SUDC Awareness Month proclamations in all 50 U.S. states this March. In 2018, 43 U.S. states participated. This nationwide effort began in 2016, inspired by Drew Joseph Boswell and the Boswell family. The Boswell family successfully advocated for the first statewide proclamation declaring March 2015 as SUDC Awareness Month in the State of Louisiana.

To see a full list of previous efforts as well as additional states who have joined, please visit: https://sudc.org/advocacy/legislative-policy-and-advocacy/us-state-proclamations

About the SUDC Foundation:
The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families. Learn more: https://sudc.org/.

The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation is pleased to announce 20 states, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and West Virginia have made statewide proclamations declaring March 2019 SUDC Awareness Month.

Related link: https://sudc.org/

Caminar Announces Mark Cloutier as New CEO

SAN MATEO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Board of Directors of Caminar has announced the appointment of Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH, as Chief Executive Officer of the $39M nonprofit behavioral health organization. Dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals and families with complex needs to move toward resilience, wellness and independence, Caminar serves more than 20,000 people each year in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.

Cloutier has dedicated his career to increasing access to quality health and supportive services and improving communities' overall health and well-being. With Master's degrees in public policy and public health, Cloutier has held leadership roles in health and behavioral health services organizations and foundations, including Horizons Services, San Francisco Foundation, the Center for Youth Wellness, Kaiser Family Foundation and San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

"In addition to top caliber leadership experience, we sought a CEO who has vision for and commitment to the work of Caminar," says Suzan Getchell-Wallace, President of the Board of Directors of Caminar. "Mark believes strongly in the comprehensive services we offer and the importance of offering optimal care to the communities we serve."

Founded in 1964 in San Mateo County, Caminar has grown significantly over the last two years in response to the growing complexity of behavioral health needs affecting the communities it serves. With a five-county service area encompassing San Mateo, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Solano and Butte counties, the organization delivers programmatic innovations and solution-focused services that address fundamental issues affecting the health of individuals and families, including mental wellness, addiction recovery, family violence and homelessness.

"Improving the health of communities begins with understanding the role of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and social determinants of health in predisposing individuals, families and communities to poor mental health and physical health outcomes," says Mark Cloutier, CEO of Caminar. "Caminar is in a unique position to address the comprehensive needs of individuals, families and communities though our trauma informed, evidence based clinical services and our collaborations with government, nonprofit and community institutions to focus on and remedy root causes."

In order to best serve the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families, Caminar has been evolving toward a whole person care approach, in which the essential factors underlying a person's health, from physical and mental wellness through housing and employment, are addressed holistically.

Recent mergers have advanced this aim by adding complementary programs and expertise to Caminar. Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley, based in Santa Clara County, brought expertise in adult substance use treatment, family violence prevention, school-based counseling programs, adolescent mental health services, and programs for LGBTQ communities. The addition of Healthy Partnerships, based in Solano County, enhanced the organization's continuum of care in the county by expanding mental health services and adding adolescent and adult substance use treatment services. Project Ninety, based in San Mateo County, expanded the organization's substance use treatment and recovery services capacity in the region.

Cloutier started in the role of CEO on January 31, 2019.

About Caminar:

Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar serves more than 20,000 individuals annually in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California. The nonprofit organization's portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. The continuum of prevention, treatment and recovery services includes residential and outpatient mental health and substance use treatment services, youth development, supportive housing, vocational rehabilitation and supported education.

More information about the organization is available at: https://www.caminar.org/

The Board of Directors of Caminar has announced the appointment of Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH, as Chief Executive Officer of the $39M nonprofit behavioral health organization. Dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals and families with complex needs to move toward resilience, wellness and independence, Caminar serves more than 20,000 people each year in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern California.

Related link: https://www.caminar.org/

Cursive is Cool Handwriting Contest Launches in USA and Canada on National Handwriting Day 2019

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The annual Cursive is Cool(R) contests for 2019, under the auspices of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, will launch on National Handwriting Day, celebrated around the world on Jan. 23 each year. Cursive writing continues to enjoy increased appreciation in the United States and around the world. Scientific studies reveal the benefits of writing by hand to positively impact motor skills, cognitive development and improved learning outcomes such as better recall and retention for young learners.

The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation organizes the annual Campaign for Cursive(R) contest in the USA and Canada. January 23 is the date associated with the birth of John Hancock. Legend has it that Hancock, known for his large and showy signature on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, purposely enlarged his signature so "King George can see it without his spectacles."

Campaign for Cursive(R) offers three contests: one in the USA and two in Canada (one for English writers, one for French). Grade 1-6 students have the chance to test their cursive skills as well as their creativity in answering one of the posed questions.

The deadline for all the contests this year is March 8, 2019.

A page with Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) has been placed on the website to help parents and students as they get ready to write their entries. Entries for each contest are submitted in different ways and full information can be found on the Cursive is Cool(R) website.

Winners of the contests will receive medals, certificates, fun new writing instruments, and accessories. Supporters of the contest include the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, Amsterdam Printing, CursiveLogic, Fahrney's Pens, Laywine's, New American Cursive Penmanship, Pelikan, PEN World, Retro51, Sakura, and Staedtler. The contest has two new supporters this year: Bittner Pens and Monkey Magnets.

Contest judges are handwriting specialists, handwriting analysts and educators. Entries will be scored for neatness, legibility, consistency and creativity. Winners will be notified 3 to 5 weeks after the close of the contest and posted to the organization's website and social media channels.

"We're anticipating more entries this year and have 18 handwriting specialists lined up to judge from coast to coast," stated Gayna Scott, Chair of the Campaign for Cursive(R) committee. "The quality of the writing continues to improve which is very positive. We love the enthusiasm from teachers and parents encouraging participation."

For more information, please contact Gayna Scott, Chair of Campaign for Cursive(R) at gayna@comcast.net.

More information: https://www.campaignforcursive.com/.

https://www.campaignforcursive.com/2019-cursive-contest-forms.html

Twitter: @AHAFpr @Campaign4Cursiv #cursiveiscool #NationalHandwritingDay

About the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation:

The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation is a 501-(c)6 non-profit business organization, chartered and incorporated in California. Dedicated to the advancement of the handwriting sciences, AHAF promotes education for handwriting examiners at all levels of expertise and from all schools of thought. Information: https://www.ahafhandwriting.org/.

The annual Cursive is Cool(R) contests for 2019, under the auspices of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, will launch on National Handwriting Day, celebrated around the world on Jan. 23 each year. Cursive writing continues to enjoy increased appreciation in the United States and around the world. Scientific studies reveal the benefits of writing by hand to positively impact motor skills, cognitive development and improved learning outcomes such as better recall and retention for young learners.

Related link: https://www.ahafhandwriting.org/

Brainy Camps Association Launches ‘Be Gluten Free Family Camp’ for Youth with Celiac Disease

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, announced that it will be launching a family camp for youth with celiac disease in summer 2019. Adding to its consortium of 12 condition-specific camps, Be Gluten Free Family Camp, or BG Free for short, was founded in conjunction with the Gastroenterology Department of Children's National Health System.

Registration has officially opened for the 3-day, 2-night program, as well as for Brainy Camps' other summer programs. The camp is scheduled to run July 12 to July 14, 2019.

BG Free will provide opportunities for children and their families to learn about celiac disease in an environment that is supportive, safe, fun, and of course, gluten-free. Brainy Camps, which works in partnership with departments at Children's National, is a subsidiary of the Washington D.C.-based pediatric hospital.

"Camp Be Gluten-Free represents an opportunity for kids with celiac disease and their families to build a support system by connecting with other children and families living a gluten-free lifestyle," said Vanessa Weisbrod, gluten-free diet education director at Children's National. "We plan to offer activities to benefit the entire family, including cooking classes, support groups and social outlets like bonfires with gluten-free s'mores and a family talent show. We hope to build camaraderie and a truly celiac strong community."

Susan Mehlman, assistant director of Brainy Camps, said: "Brainy Camps is excited to add a thirteenth camp to our consortium of medically managed, residential camps serving children with chronic health conditions. Be Gluten Free Family Camp will allow kids to meet others like themselves and their families to gain support from one another as they learn about the condition from experts in the field. We welcome the gastroenterology team from Children's National as they guide the families through their first summer with Brainy Camps."

The campsite is located in Saint George, Va.

About Brainy Camps:

Brainy Camps Association, a 501(c)(3) charity and subsidiary of Children's National Health System, is a consortium of residential and family camps, retreats and services for children with chronic health conditions. With the help of over 150 volunteers, the organization serves more than 500 children each year. Brainy Camps' mission is to help youth with chronic health conditions live well and reach their potential.

Through week-long condition-specific camps and support and leadership programs, Brainy Camps offers children the opportunity to meet peers, mentors and counselors with the same conditions and to learn skills in medical self-management. Since its founding in 1994, Brainy Camps has expanded to host condition-specific camps for children with a range of health conditions, including neurofibromatosis, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, heart disease, Down syndrome, hemiplegic/diplegic cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, high functioning autism spectrum disorder, celiac disease, Tourette syndrome and childhood obesity, as well as a program for youth transitioning to adulthood.

To learn more about Brainy Camps visit: https://www.brainycamps.com/.

Twitter: @BrainyCamps @childrenshealth

Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, announced that it will be launching a family camp for youth with celiac disease in summer 2019. Adding to its consortium of 12 condition-specific camps, Be Gluten Free Family Camp, or BG Free for short, was founded in conjunction with the Gastroenterology Department of Children's National Health System.

Related link: https://www.brainycamps.com/

Arts Detroit Launches Spectra, a Theatre Program for Students on the Autism Spectrum

PLYMOUTH, Mich. /ScoopCloud/ -- A new theatre education program will be offered by Arts Detroit for students on the Autism Spectrum and with Aspergers inside of their performing arts studio at PARC - Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex. Spectra will be a course to help students on the Autism Spectrum learn theatre techniques that can help them develop life skills as well.

The course will be taught by a local professional actor and arts educator, Taylor Morrow Johnson, who has been working on theatre for people with specials needs for more than five and half years. She will focus the class on the processes of character development, memorization, repetition, and creative thinking, which will help students begin to make connections between performing and self-awareness. The class will focus on using preexisting plays and characters to enhance their stage presence and help develop personal characteristics.

Ms. Johnson says she is excited for Spectra because she "has seen first-hand how influential theatre can be on people, regardless of age or ability, and theatre consistently fosters an environment of creativity, thoughtfulness, and fun." She further believes that students who participate in Spectra will "be a part of an ensemble that will work as a team and gain a support system within each other."

Arts Detroit Executive Director, Adriane Galea, says creating a program for students with special needs has been on her radar for quite some time. "Creating theatre is a powerful tool for developing empathy, encourages out-of-the-box thinking, and creates a real sense of belonging. I have heard from parents and other folks who work with students on the Spectrum that these kids often want to get involved with theatre but don't have traditional access to it, so I'm very proud that Arts Detroit can provide an outlet for students of all abilities."

While Arts Detroit is currently only offering Spectra classes at their location in Plymouth, there are plans to expand programming to their Allen Park location as well as to open it up to other avenues of the performing arts.

Spectra will be offered for students ages 14 and up on Thursdays from 4-4:45 p.m. and students ages 11-14 on Thursdays from 4:45-5:30 p.m. a part of their normal programming, and for students ages 4-6 on Fridays from 11:15am-noon through Plymouth PEP, a joint programming effort between tenants at PARC and the Plymouth YMCA.

The PARC family is also excited to bring this type of programming into their building. Gail Grieger, the PARC Executive Director, said, "We are delighted that Arts Detroit will be offering the Spectra Theatre Program at our facility. This program makes a great addition to the other opportunities already provided by the performing arts and educational organizations located at PARC and will be a great resource for the entire community."

Students interested in studying with Arts Detroit but cannot afford tuition are encouraged to contact info@artsdetroit.com for scholarship information.

To learn more, visit: https://www.artsdetroit.org/spectra

About Arts Detroit:

Arts Detroit was founded in 2010 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation under the umbrella of Center Stage Studios. In 2015, the studio expanded into a storefront location in Allen Park and opened a second studio in Plymouth in 2018. Arts Detroit is proud of their current students and alumni, who have excelled in all areas of the arts. Students have gone on to study Music/Theatre in some of the top programs in the country and are in or working toward professional careers in the arts.

Many of our students have been recipients of the North American Invitational Championship awards in both Broadway and Classical Voice, American Guild of Music All Around winners, received ratings of 1 (the highest ranking) at Michigan Solo and Ensemble and Michigan Thespian Festival competitions, and have won more than one thousand competitive awards and trophies collectively. Arts Detroit is involved in giving back to the community as often as possible and strives to create a fun, dynamic environment in which to learn and that others can enjoy. Learn more at: https://www.artsdetroit.org/.

A new theatre education program will be offered by Arts Detroit for students on the Autism Spectrum and with Aspergers inside of their performing arts studio at PARC-Plymouth Arts and Recreation Complex. Spectra will be a course to help students on the Autism Spectrum learn theatre techniques that can help them develop life skills as well.

Related link: https://www.artsdetroit.org/

New study by UNC-CH researchers finds that walking while listening to Walking Classroom podcasts improves student learning, retention, and mood

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Walking Classroom Institute (TheWalkingClassroom.org) has released results of a research study conducted in spring 2018 by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and funded by the Oak Foundation, confirming that walking while listening to The Walking Classroom podcasts improves student learning as well as retention of information, student mood, and attitudes toward learning.

The study, which tested 319 4th and 5th grade students over a three-month period, had the students complete a series of measures over four testing periods to assess learning, mood, cognitive performance, and attitudes toward learning. The findings were overwhelmingly positive for The Walking Classroom program methodology.

Walking Improves Student Learning and Retention:

Students who walked and listened to The Walking Classroom's educational podcasts demonstrated significantly higher levels of learning than students who sat while listening to the podcasts. This result was demonstrated both in short-term and long-term retention as measured by performance on a 10-question comprehension quiz on podcast content administered immediately after the walk as well as one week later.

In addition to improvements in learning the material presented in the podcast, walking had a significant positive impact on cognitive test performance. Students were given a 3-minute multiplication test both after walking and after sitting, and the resulting math test scores were significantly higher for the groups that had walked prior to taking the test.

Walking Improves Student Mood and Attitudes Toward Learning:

The study also tested the effects of walking on student mood and attitudes toward learning and found that walking (versus sitting) had similar improvements in those areas. All positive-affect markers (e.g., students describing themselves as strong, happy, alert, excited, and enthusiastic) increased after walking and listening to podcasts and decreased after sitting and listening to podcasts. Similarly, negative-affect markers (e.g., students describing themselves as irritable, nervous, upset, mad, and sad) all decreased after walking, demonstrating a strong positive influence of the Walk, Listen, and Learn program on student mood and attitudes toward learning.

Laura Fenn, CEO and founder of The Walking Classroom said, "We've had teachers reporting similar results with their students in our annual surveys for years, but seeing the results confirmed in this study is thrilling. Knowing that The Walking Classroom is actually helping students learn more and retain more information, while also helping them feel happier and more excited about learning, is very rewarding."

The study was conducted by Erianne Weight, Ph.D. and a team of researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Its purpose was to test the impact of learning during physical activity on student short-term and long-term learning retention, cognitive performance, mood, and attitudes toward learning. Baseline data was gathered one week prior to listening to the podcasts. Additional results were gathered immediately after walking and listening to podcasts, immediately after sitting and listening to podcasts, and one week after the podcasts were delivered.

For more details or to read the full study, please visit https://thewalkingclassroom.org/research/.

Additional press resources: https://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/walking-classroom-press-kit/

To schedule interviews with The Walking Classroom founder and CEO Laura Fenn, contact her directly at: laura@thewalkingclassroom.org.

About The Walking Classroom:

A national award-winning education program, The Walking Classroom provides students with an innovative way to get exercise without sacrificing instructional time. The Walking Classroom Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded by CEO/Creator Laura Fenn, a former 5th grade teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience. Laura developed The Walking Classroom program as a way to add exercise to the school day without sacrificing instructional time. While all students benefit from the increased activity and educational content of The Walking Classroom, children with low academic achievement and childhood obesity stand to benefit the most. Students with alternative learning styles such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism also benefit from the program. The Walking Classroom program is now used by tens of thousands of students in all 50 states.

Learn more at TheWalkingClassroom.org.

Photo credit: Laura Fenn.

VIDEO (YouTube):
https://youtu.be/baKysvehpyY

The Walking Classroom Institute has released results of a research study conducted in spring 2018 by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and funded by the Oak Foundation, confirming that walking while listening to The Walking Classroom podcasts improves student learning as well as retention of information, student mood, and attitudes toward learning.

Related link: https://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/

Brainy Camps Association Announces Race for Every Child Team to Support Programs for Children with Chronic Conditions

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, has announced its participation in the Race for Every Child fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The annual event, scheduled for Oct. 20, 2018, is sponsored by Children's National Health System and helps to raise funds for the pediatric hospital's many departments and causes.

Brainy Camps, a subsidiary of Children's National, has participated in the fundraiser for the past two years. The non-profit organization successfully raised more than $17,000 through the fundraiser last year and has set its goal at $25,000 this year. Donations made to the Brainy Camps Team will support camper scholarships, programming and future growth.

A schedule for the day's events includes pre-race activities, a 5K walk/run and a 100-yard kids dash. The event will be held at Freedom Plaza, several blocks from the White House.

"The Race For Every Child follows on the heels of our camp season, making it the first fundraiser of the new camp year," said Susan Mehlman, assistant director of Brainy Camps. "Many of our counselors and camp families join us at the event, making it a mini reunion for all those who are already counting down the days to next summer's camp.

"It is a fun way for us to raise money for camper scholarships while allowing us to spend quality time with our Brainy Camps friends, families and supporters. And for all those who give-big and small - it is a wonderful way of showing how important the camps are in the lives of the children we serve."

About Brainy Camps:

Brainy Camps Association, a 501(c)(3) charity, is a consortium of residential and family camps, retreats and services for children with chronic health conditions. With the help of over 150 volunteers, the organization serves more than 500 children each year. Brainy Camps' mission is to help youth with chronic health conditions live well and reach their potential.

Through week-long condition-specific camps and support and leadership programs, Brainy Camps offers children the opportunity to meet peers, mentors and counselors with the same conditions and to learn skills in medical self-management.

Since its founding in 1994, Brainy Camps has expanded to host condition-specific camps for children with a range of health conditions, including neurofibromatosis, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, heart disease, Down syndrome, hemiplegic/diplegic cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, high functioning autism spectrum disorder, Tourette syndrome and childhood obesity, as well as a program for youth transitioning to adulthood.

To support the Race for Every Child team visit https://giving.childrensnational.org/site/TR/FundraisingTR/Race2018?team_id=2381&pg=team&fr_id=1200

To learn more about Brainy Camps visit: https://www.brainycamps.com/.

EVENT DETAILS:
Where: Freedom Plaza, 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004
When: October 20, 2018
7:00 a.m. Pre-Race Activities
8:45 a.m. 5K Run/Walk
10:15 a.m. Kids Dash

Twitter: @BrainyCamps @childrenshealth #RaceForEveryChild

Brainy Camps Association, which provides camps for children with chronic health conditions, has announced its participation in the Race for Every Child fundraiser in Washington, D.C. The annual event, scheduled for Oct. 20, 2018, is sponsored by Children's National Health System and helps to raise funds for the pediatric hospital's many departments and causes.

Related link: https://www.brainycamps.com/

SUDC Foundation Applauds Introduction of Federal Bill to Address Unexpected Child, Infant Deaths

CEDAR GROVE, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The SUDC Foundation is pleased to support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Tom Cole (OK-04) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) to combat Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). The legislation was introduced in honor of Scarlett Pauley, who was lost to SUDC in January 2017 when she was just 16 months old.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is a category of death in children over the age of one year which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation and autopsy. Most often, SUDC occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep. At least 400 children are lost to SUDC in the United States every year.

"This legislation is named 'Scarlett's Sunshine' after a little girl who was lost to Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood," said Senator Casey. "I wanted to honor Scarlett's memory and make sure that the federal government is taking all possible steps to ensure that no family will have to suffer the death of a child, without knowing why. It's appalling that over 400 children ages 1-4 and over 3,600 infants each year are dying from these unexplained causes. I urge my colleagues to join us in this bipartisan, bicameral effort."

"Wisconsin has the highest rate of Black infant mortality in the nation. Our babies die at rates comparable to war-torn countries like Syria," said Representative Moore. "This doesn't have anything to do with good or bad parenting. But because there are no nationwide standards for investigations and data collection, parents are often left wondering what went wrong and what they could have done to prevent their baby from dying. No mother, no matter her background, should have to with live with this uncertainty, thinking it was their fault. That's why this bipartisan and bicameral bill to fund critical data collection is a game changer. We need to know the root of the problem to solve it."

"While it is the fifth leading category of death among children ages 1 to 4, SUDC has not been directly addressed in our federal policy in regards to surveillance, research or prevention strategies," said Laura Gould Crandall, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the SUDC Foundation. "We can and we must do better. We applaud Senator Casey's and Congresswoman Moore's leadership on behalf of SUDC families worldwide and look forward to working with them to achieve our mission of a future free of SUDC."

"On January 8th, 2017, our lives were shattered when our beautiful, healthy, thriving daughter, Scarlett Lillian Pauley, went to sleep and never woke up. And we do not know why," said Stephanie Zarecky and Ryan Pauley. "Losing a child is the single greatest pain we could ever imagine and living without answers magnifies the tragedy exponentially. We try every day to spread Scarlett's Sunshine, allowing her memory to shine on and bring light to SUDC, the medical mystery that took her from us. We thank Senator Casey and Congresswoman Moore for their leadership on Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act in honor of Scarlett and all of the other children who are deeply loved and missed."

If passed into law, Scarlett's Sunshine Act it will authorize over $49 million in new federal funding to strengthen efforts to better track, understand and prevent SUDC and SUID. Specifically, it would supply grants to help states and municipalities to improve data collection and death scene investigations related to unexpected infant and child deaths and ensure death reviews are completed for 100 percent of infant and child fatalities. Currently, there are no nationwide standards for investigating and collecting data following an infant or child death. This makes it nearly impossible to determine the causes of these deaths and what strategies our country can implement to prevent these tragedies.

This bill has also been endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Association, Cribs for Kids, First Candle, March of Dimes, Kids in Danger, Within Our Reach and the Aaron Matthew SIDS Guild of Seattle Children's Hospital.

To learn more and support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, please visit: https://sudc.org/advocacy/scarletts-sunshine-act

About the SUDC Foundation:
The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families. Learn more: https://sudc.org.

The SUDC Foundation is pleased to support Scarlett's Sunshine on Sudden Unexpected Death Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Tom Cole (OK-04) and Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) to combat Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

Related link: https://sudc.org/

New Billboard Campaign in FIVE U.S. Cities Honoring Healthy 2-Year Old Who Died Last Year Just Days After Vaccines

SYRACUSE, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- This week, the non-profit Learn The Risk launched five billboards on the East Coast, including New York and Boston, honoring Nicholas Catone, a healthy 20-month old boy who lost his life to vaccines.

On September 8, 2018 Nicholas Catone should have been celebrating his 3rd birthday -- but he didn't. Nicholas, the little boy pictured in the billboard, died just days after receiving his routine childhood vaccines. His death, like thousands of others every year, was labeled Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The five-city billboard campaign aims to raise awareness of vaccine side effects, including death, as listed on vaccine product inserts and as shown in scientific reports published in leading medical journals (*Note 1). When multiple vaccines are given at one time, the risk of serious side effects increases and the campaign aims to help parents make educated choices for their families.

"You get angry because his death could have been prevented. Nobody ever mentioned any of this to us," said Nick Catone, Nicholas's father in an interview with News12, New Jersey (*Note 2).

The Health & Human Services (HHS) branch of the U.S. Government has received more than 7,000 reports of deaths linked to vaccinations, and more than 580,000 reports of serious side effects, according to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (*Note 3). An HHS report on VAERS done by Harvard Medical School found that "fewer than 1 percent of vaccine adverse events are reported." (*Note 4)

Given this estimate, vaccine-related deaths could be closer to 700,000, while serious side effects would be in the millions. Yet many parents are not told about side effects of vaccines until it's too late.

Many of these deaths occur in children under one year old after receiving one of the 35 childhood vaccines on the U.S. schedule given to infants. Most deaths are labeled SIDs, which is purely a label for deaths with an unknown reason. More than 23,000 U.S. children die in the U.S. before their first birthday, with most deaths being labeled as unknown cause or SIDS (*Note 5).

Learn more at: https://www.learntherisk.org/

About Learn The Risk:

Learn The Risk, a grassroots educational 501(c)(3) non-profit, has an important mission: to create a healthier world. Learn The Risk educates people on the very real side effects and dangers of pharmaceutical drugs and treatments, including vaccines. The organization was founded by former pharmaceutical (Merck) insider Brandy Vaughan, after she learned too much about the real dangers of pharmaceutical drugs and treatments while working on the inside.

Brandy left Merck, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, disturbed by what she saw with the infamous drug VIOXX, which she sold for the company. She now speaks internationally about our broken healthcare system, and has made it her life mission to create a healthier world - one person at a time.

"After working inside the pharmaceutical industry, I realized that just because something is on the market and your doctor gives it to you, does NOT guarantee that it's safe. In fact, pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. People deserve this information," Brandy states (*Note 6).

Learn The Risk reaches MILLIONS of people each month through powerful advertising & social media campaigns, and is the leading website resource for those researching pharmaceutical and vaccine dangers as well as a healthier lifestyle.

Learn more at: https://www.learntherisk.org/.

References:
1. https://www.learntherisk.org/death
2. New Jersey Channel 12 news: http://newjersey.news12.com/story/38999281/former-professional-fighter-says-vaccines-are-to-blame-for-sons-death
3. Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: https://wonder.cdc.gov/vaers.html
4. Health and Human Services website: https://healthit.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/docs/publication/r18hs017045-lazarus-final-report-2011.pdf
5. CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm
6. Report by Harvard University: https://ethics.harvard.edu/blog/new-prescription-drugs-major-health-risk-few-offsetting-advantages

Billboard locations:
1. Brick, NJ: Southside Route 88, just before Van Zile road
2. New Haven, CT: On South main street, north of Ward street, facing south
3. Kansas City, MO: On Blue Parkway, east of Hardestry, facing west
4. Syracuse, NY: On Highway 103 Westbound, near State Fair, facing west
5. Boston, MA: On highway 99 Northbound, Route 1 near Bryson Rd, facing north.

Media Contact:
Brandy Vaughan
Executive Director of the educational non-profit Learn The Risk
Phone: 415-987-9412
Email: info@LearnTheRisk.org

*PHOTO link for media:
https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/18-0920s2p-nicholas-billboard-300dpi.jpg

TWITTER: @learntherisk #flyhighnicholas

This week, the non-profit Learn The Risk launched five billboards on the East Coast, including New York and Boston, honoring Nicholas Catone, a healthy 20-month old boy who lost his life to vaccines. The five-city billboard campaign aims to raise awareness of vaccine side effects, including death.

Related link: https://www.learntherisk.org/

Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation to Host Annual Fundraiser 2018

NEWBURY, Ohio /ScoopCloud/ -- The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation is proud to announce that its 2018 Backpack Bivouac fundraising event will take place at the Helmsley Pavilion at Camp Ho Mita Koda on Saturday, September 29, 2018, beginning at 6 p.m. This year's theme, "A Night to Light the Future," will raise critical dollars to help Camp Ho Mita Koda host children with diabetes as campers well into the future.

As Camp's largest fundraising annual event, Bivouac is critically important as we work to continue the mission and vision set forth in 1929 by Dr. Henry and Betty John at the nation's first camp for children with juvenile diabetes. The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation was able to host over 150 children with diabetes for the 2018 camp season and we look forward to hosting even more campers in 2019.

A "bivouac" is a French term for a temporary encampment, shelter or lodging. These shelters are frequently out under the stars, like Camp Ho Mita Koda, which is set on 72 beautiful acres in Geauga County. Campers sleep in cabins organized by age group, enjoying camp fires at night and traditional camp activities each day including swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, and more.

Campers receive around the clock medical care provided by our community's leading hospitals systems including the Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, and University Hospitals.

Camp Ho Mita Koda relies on contributions to operate. This summer, overnight camp was offered at $650 per week for each camper. This is a 50 percent discount to the roughly $1300 per week that it costs the Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation to provide camp to each camper. Camperships are also available, as the cost of managing juvenile diabetes is very high and a struggle for many families. The Camp Ho Kita Koda Foundation's goal is that any interested camper be able to participate, regardless of family income, with help from our campership program.

This year's event promises to be the best yet with a silent auction, great food, and a growing, robust camp community. Come join us as we celebrate our successes and look forward to the future!

If you would like to sponsor this event, donate an auction item, or attend, please visit https://www.camphomitakoda.org/bivouac/.

About Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation:

The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) that was formed in 2017 to save and operate Camp Ho Mita Koda in Newbury, Ohio. Each summer, over 150 campers come to our 72-acre camp to make friends, have fun, and learn how to manage their disease. For more information about Camp Ho Mita Koda, please visit https://www.camphomitakoda.org/.

For the latest news on Camp Ho Mita Koda, follow us on:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CampHoMitaKoda/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CampHoMitaKoda
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camphmk/

NEWBURY, Ohio, Aug. 27, 2018 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- The Camp Ho Mita Koda Foundation is proud to announce that its 2018 Backpack Bivouac fundraising event will take place at the Helmsley Pavilion at Camp Ho Mita Koda on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, beginning at 6 p.m. This year's theme, "A Night to Light the Future," will raise critical dollars to help Camp Ho Mita Koda host children with diabetes as campers well into the future.

Related link: https://www.camphomitakoda.org/

Oklahoma Children’s Theatre announce 2018-2019 Season

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Oklahoma Children's Theatre, the first and largest Theatre for Young Audiences in the state, is proud to announce their 31st Season! We will kick off our season in October, 2018, with a limited run of "Night of the Living Dead."

The 1968 black and white, B-movie horror classic brought to life (figuratively speaking)! Full of thrills, chills, and dark satire. A co-production with our Young Company, NofLD performances are Fridays and Saturday night October 19 - 27, 2018. This production is not suitable for children under 10 years of age.

Junie B. Jones, first-Grader, is super-excited to be returning for her 6th year at OCT, November 26 - December 16 in "Junie B Jones in Jingle Bells Batman Smells." Too bad tattletale May will be there to ruin all her fun. So when Junie B. draws May's name for Secret Santa, she comes up with the perfect plan to teach her nemesis a lesson! But will the Christmas spirit of peace and goodwill interfere before she can give you-know-who what she deserves?

The time-honored story of a little duck that just doesn't fit in, "The Ugly Duckling," learns through a series of adventures to appreciate his uniqueness and finally views himself as a very special duck. Appropriate for age 3 and above February 15 - March 1.

March 21 through April 4 a traditional storyteller reading from his all too well-known book of "Sleeping Beauty" is quickly usurped by the story's feisty villain, the evil Griselda. With a magical spell, she literally turns back the hands of time to show what really happened. Appropriate for ages 5 and above.

More fairy tale disruption is on its way April 19 thru May 3 with "The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales." In this adaptation of Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith's quintessential children's book of fractured fairy tales, everything from "Chicken Little" to "The Gingerbread Man" gets a complete makeover. Appropriate for 5 and above.

These great shows will be followed closely by our summertime co-productions with our Young Company. Titles and dates to be announced.

Tickets to all of the shows are available on our website https://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/ or by calling our box office at 405-951-0011, Tuesday - Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Ticket prices are $11 for Adults, $9 for Children & Students. Group rate are available. Or purchase our annual pass a "membership" - $135 for 4 admissions to all shows for a calendar year.

Oklahoma Children's Theatre is located on the east side of the Oklahoma City University campus at NW 25th and Blackwelder. For more information please call the box office or our business office at 405-606-7003.

Learn more about the Oklahoma Children's Theatre 2018-19 season at: https://www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/content/2018-2019-season.

Oklahoma Children's Theatre, the first and largest Theatre for Young Audiences in the state, is proud to announce their 31st Season! We will kick off our season in October, 2018, with a limited run of 'Night of the Living Dead.'

Related link: https://oklahomachildrenstheatre.org/

Parkland School Survivor and Guardian Angels Medical Service Dog Recipient to return to first day of school with Service Dog Escort

PARKLAND, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, located in Williston, Fla. In June of this year, we paired Parkland School Shooting survivor, Haylee Shepherd with a Medical Service Dog, to cope with the PTSD developed after last year's shooting.

Haylee's mom, Andrea, said: "Haylee unfortunately was in the 1200 building at MSD on, February 14th, the day of one of the largest mass school shootings. On the day of love, she heard and witnessed 17 friends and staff members shot and killed before her eyes.

"Since then she has been suffering with anxiety attacks, terrifying nightmares, and the fear of being alone. However, {Service Dog} Spree instantly put the smile back on her face, the ability to sleep soundly, and to know she's never alone. Spree is giving her the strength to move forward, one day at a time, with the same determination and confidence she had prior to this horrific day.

"We are forever grateful to all the hard workers at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs that made this even possible. From the moment we stepped on the farm we were treated with nothing but love and support. With all the hate we see around the world these days, it's amazing to feel the love!"

Guardian Angels is proud to have built a strong, private online community for our recipients, where they can share and learn from each other's experiences, no matter where they are located.

So moved were our recipients by Haylee's story, that several of our Florida recipients will be joining her to escort her to her first day back at school on August 15, 2018. A Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs staff trainer will also join Haylee.

At this time, three of our more experienced Service Dog teams are planning on attending. They are: Rudy and his Service Dog, Rocket; Robert and his Service Dog, Sirius, Sarah and her Service Dog, Hero; and Jim and his Service Dog, Nina. A Guardian Angels trainer will also accompany Haylee on her first day back with Spree.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs would like to take this opportunity to wish Haylee, and all the students returning to Marjorie Stoneman Douglas HS a peaceful first day back to class.

About Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs:
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Williston, Florida and has grown into a nation-wide Service Dog Organization. We rescue, raise, train and donate individually trained medical service dogs to veterans, first responders and others who suffer from disabilities including PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, seizure disorders, mobility issues and more.

Guardian Angels receives up to 40 inquiries each day for one of their medical Service Dogs. There is no state or federal funding available for this critical life-saving program. Since their inception in 2010, Guardian Angels has paired nearly 300 individually trained medical service dogs with those in need; and with your help, they can do even more.

For more information on our program, visit: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/ and please consider joining us, as we Unleash the Power to Heal.

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc. is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, located in Williston, Fla. In June of this year, we paired Parkland School Shooting survivor, Haylee Shepherd with a Medical Service Dog, to cope with the PTSD developed after last year's shooting.

Related link: http://www.medicalservicedogs.org/

David Copperfield Performing Special Benefit Show for Kids of Courage

LAS VEGAS, Nev. /ScoopCloud/ -- Kids of Courage, a medically-supervised travel program for seriously sick children and young adults, is currently in Las Vegas for their annual summer adventure. The unique non-for-profit program provides adaptive activities and events for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and serious disabilities. The current group consists of 120 medically-fragile campers from all over North America, accompanied by volunteer physicians, nurses, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and caretaker counselors.

World-renowned illusionist David Copperfield, in partnership with the MGM Grand, is conducting a benefit performance, completely free of charge, for the visiting group on Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 4 p.m. PDT at The David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand Hotel and Casino.

Mr. Copperfield has a long history of supporting organizations that improve the lives of children and young adults with disabilities. The ground-breaking performer founded Project Magic, an innovative program that uses magic as a form of therapy for people with physical, psychological, and social disabilities.

Kids of Courage participants have a wide variety of serious illnesses and disabilities, including childhood cancers; muscular dystrophy; childhood strokes; pre- and post-heart, -liver, and -lung transplants; brain tumors; quadriplegia with ventilator dependence; spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

Many of the so-called "Couragers" are struggling with life-threatening situations. Participation in the program gives them unique skill sets for independence and leaves their parents at home to recover from the daily stresses of their care.

About Kids of Courage:

Kids of Courage, based in New York, is a true non-profit 501(c)(3). There is no charge to any participants or their families. Funds are used strictly for programming and caring for the children. The organization was created in 2008 when the co-founders saw a need for year-round trips and events, including adaptive programs such as skiing and water sports in weeklong travel adventures. Learn more at: https://www.kidsoc.org/.

Twitter: @KidsOfCourage @D_Copperfield #KidsofCourage #volunteerphysicians

Kids of Courage, a medically-supervised travel program for seriously sick children and young adults, is currently in Las Vegas for their annual summer adventure. The unique non-profit program provides adaptive activities and events for individuals with life-threatening illnesses and serious disabilities.

Related link: https://www.kidsoc.org/

First Annual Regional Missing Children Awareness Day – Saturday, August 4, 2018

SPRINGFIELD, Va. /ScoopCloud/ -- On Saturday, August 4, 2018, all around the Washington D.C. metropolitan region, local law enforcement will gather along with Not a Runaway, NCMEC, families of other missing children and related vendors and sponsors in a collaborative effort to host the first region-wide Jholie Moussa REMEMBER... Missing Children's Awareness Event.

Named after 16-year old Jholie Moussa who went missing earlier this year and was found murdered 2 weeks later, this special day will serve as an annual reminder to renew regional efforts in reuniting missing children with their families, honor those who are still missing and make child safety a top priority.

Not a Runaway, Inc., (NAR) a non-profit organization dedicated to the recovery of missing children is hosting this collaboration with Fairfax County Police, Fairfax County Sheriff's Office, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Alexandria County Police, Prince William County Police and Metropolitan Police to present this First Annual Missing Children's Awareness event.

The various law enforcement jurisdictions represented will be actively speaking with family members, the sheriff's office will be providing Child ID kits and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will be providing valuable information on child safety. In addition, numerous community organizations will be present to showcase the region's available resources.

This free community event will take place on Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room at Springfield Town Center in Springfield, Va.

We welcome all to attend; parents and guardians are especially encouraged to bring their teenage children and hear from panelists that have been directly affected by the devastating atrocity of abductions while also participating in hands-on demonstrations. The must-attend family event will also host an AMBER Alert community forum.

"With thousands of missing children cases reported to police last year within just our region alone, it is vitally important that we talk to and educate our children about safety and awareness without unduly frightening them. Keeping that dialogue going is even more critical and key to preventing the exploitation and disappearance of youth," said Veronica Eyenga, Director at Not a Runaway, Inc.

The Jholie Moussa REMEMBER... Missing Children's Awareness Event will be divided into 2 sessions with one serving as a community forum that will address every question the community has on the AMBER Alert and how it works, while the second session will be an expo providing the rich resources of the law enforcement community, as well as offering practical safety tips and resources for families in crisis and prevention tools.

About Not a Runaway, Inc.:

Not a Runaway, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help in the promotion, information dissemination and recovery of missing children that have been specifically labeled as "runaways" by fostering a Triangle of Trust among law enforcement, community and a missing child's family. The team also works to educate the general public on ways the community can work together to bring missing children home and protect all children.

Learn more about Not a Runaway, Inc. at http://www.notarunaway.org/.

On August 4, 2018, all around the Washington D.C. metro region, local law enforcement will gather along with Not a Runaway, NCMEC, families of other missing children and related vendors and sponsors in a collaborative effort to host the first region-wide 'Jholie Moussa REMEMBER... Missing Children's Awareness Event.'

Related link: http://www.notarunaway.org/

‘California punishes doctor for acting like a doctor,’ says Dr. Harte

CORTE MADERA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Dr. Don Harte, noted chiropractic activist and former Libertarian State Senate candidate, is "horrified and disgusted" by the California medical board's attack upon pro-vaccine freedom pediatrician, Dr. Bob Spears.

Dr. Harte relates, "According to the L.A. Times, Dr. Sears has just been sentenced to 35 months of probation for providing a two-year old boy with a vaccine exemption, after learning from his mother that "her son lost urinary function and went limp in response to previous immunizations."

"Dr. Sears did the right thing. He acted like a doctor, for the benefit of his patient, not for the profit of Big Pharma, nor for the power of the State." Harte goes on: "This case makes it crystal clear that the intent of the government of California is to force every child to be vaccinated with each and every presently and future mandated syringe of poison, no matter if that child had been damaged by previous vaccinations, or if the child is immune-compromised. Or, if a child's parents are intelligent enough to recognize the clear and present dangers of these vaccines."

According to Dr. Harte, "Dr. Sears is one of the heroes in the fight against medical Nazism in the state of California." Harte goes on: "As a medical doctor, in his practice, Dr. Sears can do more than I in this fight, as he has the authority to write vaccine exemptions for children, from the insanely harsh SB277, the 2015 legislation that stripped parents of any and all liberty to decide what is in the best health interests of their own children."

"The plight of Dr. Sears," says Dr. Harte, "is proof that that authority given to him to grant vaccine exemption was meant to be an illusion. The State of California really didn't expect doctors to use that authority. Now that they have, the State is exacting its revenge."

"A few medical and osteopathic doctors, a lot of chiropractors, and a good many parents stand with Dr. Sears," according to Dr. Harte, "against the anti-scientific, anti-patient, pro-Big Pharma onslaught of increasingly authoritarian use of vaccination mandates." He goes on, "This attack upon Dr. Sears, and, no doubt, others to come, is the result of what I refer to as the PMG, the Pharmaceutical-Medical-Governmental Complex. They expand their power and their riches, while our health disappears and our liberty shrinks."

Dr. Harte declares, "This whole vaccination thing is fake science at its most blatant. Check what I am saying here. Every vaccine is full of neuro and immunotoxins. Check that out! The process of vaccination short-circuits normal immune processes, often resulting in aberrant immune function. Check that out, too! You cannot screw up a child's immune function, load him or her up with various poisons, and expect health. This is quackery of the worst order!"

"Being this is the week of Independence Day," Dr. Harte advises us, even those who are wildly pro-vaccine, to reflect upon the words of Benjamin Rush, M.D., a signer of the Declaration of Independence: "Unless we put medical freedom into the Constitution, the time will come when medicine will organize into an undercover dictatorship to restrict the art of healing to one class of Men and deny equal privileges to others; the Constitution of the Republic should make a Special privilege for medical freedoms as well as religious freedom."

About Dr. Harte:

Dr. Don Harte, former medical student, is a principled, traditional chiropractor serving Marin and the Greater Bay Area since 1981. He is an activist in the struggle for free speech for chiropractors. Dr. Harte was named 2006 "Chiropractor of the Year" by the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). He has served on the Boards of the WCA and the Council on Chiropractic Practice. His articles have been published in OMNI magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Chiropractic Journal and Journal of the California Chiropractic Association.

More information: https://www.chirodrharte.com/

Follow Dr. Harte on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/harteofchiropractic

Dr. Don Harte, noted California chiropractic activist and former Libertarian State Senate candidate, is "horrified and disgusted" by the California medical board's attack upon pro-vaccine freedom pediatrician, Dr. Bob Spears.

Related link: https://www.chirodrharte.com/

‘WHOOPING COUGH UPTICK’ is Medical Fake News, Medical Scam, says Dr. Don Harte

CORTE MADERA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Dr. Don Harte, noted chiropractic activist and former Libertarian State Senate candidate, is disgusted but not surprised by the latest "medical scam/fake news." "This alleged 'uptick' in whooping cough cases," according to Dr. Harte, "is just its natural cycle, as it makes its appearance in many places in this country now."

Dr. Harte says: "This is fake news, a con job, crassly designed to sell more vaccines and more pediatrician visits. This 'uptick' is normal."

Dr. Harte was interviewed by Channel 7 ABC-TV news in San Francisco on June 19, stating, "This is medical failure. They're now asking to do more of something that doesn't work." Given more opportunity, he would have added "There are numerous instances, across the country, of not just pertussis but many other infectious diseases arising in fully immunized populations. Real-life proof that, often, vaccination doesn't work."

View the interview online at: https://abc7ne.ws/2yHfX91

"Why," Dr. Harte asks, "Does no one care when a vaccine or any other medical procedure clearly doesn't work? This is cult mentality on a society-wide scale."

"Dr. Harte observed, "Once I saw the whole news segment, the intent was obvious. The medical industry, its godfather, Big Pharma, and its henchmen, government 'health' agencies, are out to recommend and eventually mandate whooping cough vaccinations to older children, pregnant women and 'anyone around babies.' When these types of medical propaganda/news pieces appear, they are often followed by new vaccine mandates and/or new, far more authoritarian vaccine laws."

"This is not science. This is not public service," declares Dr. Harte. "This is nothing but crass marketing, of the lowest order. Lowest," he says, "because the medical industry, bathing in its position of trust and adoration by society, is creating a false sense of danger, while pushing a vaccine that is questionable in its effectiveness, and is certain in its danger."

"Danger?" asks Dr. Harte. The DTaP vaccine, which is for diphtheria and tetanus as well as pertussis or whooping cough, like other vaccines, is loaded with neuro and immunotoxins, and other substances bad for all of us, especially children. "On top of that," he adds, "the process of vaccination short-circuits normal immune processes. This is why, while the number and frequency of vaccinations have gone way up, the health of children has gone way down. Previously unknown to rare, very serious conditions such as autism, learning disabilities, life-threatening allergies, Type I diabetes and Crohn's Disease are now common amongst children."

Dr. Harte advises: "Forget this and other medical con jobs. Certainly, forget the fake, overly small sample, overly short time period research studies that boldly lie about the safety and efficacy of this and other vaccines. We cannot poison children into health. What can we do as parents? Feed them well, love them, and make sure that their nervous systems are free of interference by regular wellness visits to the chiropractor."

Dr. Harte finally warns, "The pediatrician is not the friend of children's health. Okay, they have their place in an emergency. Otherwise, they do not promote children's health. Societal acceptance is neither proof of actual science nor of clinical efficacy. Pediatricians do much to prevent health, and often do such that actually causes damage and disease, even death."

Dr. Don Harte, former medical student, is a principled, traditional chiropractor serving Marin and the Greater Bay Area since 1981. He is an activist in the struggle for free speech for chiropractors. Dr. Harte was named 2006 "Chiropractor of the Year" by the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA). He has served on the Boards of the WCA and the Council on Chiropractic Practice. His articles have been published in OMNI magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Chiropractic Journal and Journal of the California Chiropractic Association.

More information: https://www.chirodrharte.com/

Follow Dr. Harte on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/harteofchiropractic

References:
(1) Science Magazine - "Uptick in Whooping Cough Linked to Subpar Vaccines" by Arthur Allen: http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2013/05/uptick-whooping-cough-linked-subpar-vaccines

(2) ABC-7 TV San Francisco: "How to protect your family as whooping cough spikes in Marin County" by Kate Larsen (video): http://abc7news.com/health/how-to-protect-your-family-as-whooping-cough-spikes-in-marin-county/3625020/

Dr. Don Harte, noted chiropractic activist and former Libertarian State Senate candidate, is disgusted but not surprised by the latest "medical scam/fake news." According to Harte,"This alleged 'uptick' in whooping cough cases is just its natural cycle, as it makes its appearance in many places in this country now."

Related link: https://www.chirodrharte.com/

The Treasure Awaits: Children’s Picture Book Based on Real Life Grandfather and Grandson Adventures

TAMPA, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Who doesn't love a good buried treasure tale? And this one is even more intriguing because it's the combined effort of a grandfather and his grandson. Co-authored by Patrick Carberry and his sidekick, 7-year old Christian Patrick, "PaPa and Christian's Great Adventures: The Treasure Awaits" (ISBN: 978-1483480923), is written in a way that encourages kids to spend quality time with their grandparents.

It shows how different generations can have fun together, teaches valuable lessons about life and family, and sparks imaginations too.

"PaPa and Christian's Great Adventures: The Treasure Awaits" weaves a charming tale that is all at once endearing and engrossing.

"The rich and inviting illustrations guide children on an exciting journey that shows them how to set and complete goals while demonstrating how family and faith in God is more important than finding the treasure," Carberry says. "It's a message not only for children, but parents and grandparents as well."

Carberry says that the experience of writing this book with his grandson has been enlightening and rewarding.

"Every generation is important in shaping the life of a young child. We can all learn and grow from experiences and stories we share," Carberry adds.

Before writing the book, the two adventurers actually went on this treasure quest together.

"The experience has proven beneficial to us both," he says. "Not only has Christian learned a little about life along the way, but he's also learned real-life skills in helping me to edit, choose illustrations, and working with the publisher. He's learning about the value of work and money as well."

"PaPa and Christian's Great Adventures: The Treasure Awaits" is available at a 20 percent off discounted rate at LuLu Publishing, or as an ebook at the Apple iBooks store, Barnes & Noble, Amazon Kindle, Kobo and more.

For more information or to purchase the book, visit: http://www.lulu.com/shop/patrick-r-carberry-and-christian-patrick/papa-and-christians-great-adventures-the-treasure-awaits/paperback/product-23550486.html

About LuLu:
Since introducing its self-publishing solutions in 2002, Lulu.com has empowered creators in more than 225 countries and territories to produce nearly two million publications. Lulu.com is available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Italian and Dutch.

About the Authors:
Patrick Carberry has had many life experiences. Writing this book allowed him to pass on lessons learned to his grandson in a meaningful and practical way. Patrick is a U.S. Army veteran. He's also worked for Fortune 500 companies, and been an entrepreneur where he created and sold a software company. Christian and Patrick worked on this book during weekends, around Patrick's busy work schedule and in between Christian's first-grade homework assignments. This first book is just the beginning of many adventures to come.

Book Summary:
Title: PaPa and Christian's Great Adventures: The Treasure Awaits!
Authors: By Patrick R. Carberry & Christian Patrick
Published: March 6, 2018
ISBN: 978-1483480923
Language: English
Pages: 34
Binding: Perfect-bound Paperback
Interior Ink: Full color
Weight: 0.25 lbs.
Dimensions: (inches) 6 wide x 9 tall.

Who doesn't love a good buried treasure tale? And this one is even more intriguing because it's the combined effort of a grandfather and his grandson. Co-authored by Patrick Carberry and his sidekick, 7-year old Christian Patrick, "PaPa and Christian's Great Adventures: The Treasure Awaits" (ISBN: 978-1483480923), is written in a way that encourages kids to spend quality time with their grandparents.

SUDC Foundation Celebrates Launch of UK Affiliate, SUDC UK

CEDAR GROVE, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its affiliate in the United Kingdom, SUDC UK. The SUDC Foundation, which is based in the United States, serves over 800 families in 18 countries who have experienced the unique challenges and unanswered questions that follow a sudden, unexpected and unexplained loss of a child.

SUDC UK will build upon the SUDC Foundation's efforts in the U.K. to increase awareness of SUDC and raise funds for expanded research initiatives on one of the most under-recognized medical tragedies of our time.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is a category of death in children over the age of one year which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation and autopsy. Most often, SUDC occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 400 children in the United States are lost annually to SUDC. It is most common in young children and is the fifth leading category of death among children ages of 1 to 4 years. Comparably, the Office of National Statistics for England and Wales states 42 children were lost to SUDC in 2016, of which 25 were aged 1-4 years.

"We are so excited to announce the launch of SUDC UK," said Laura Gould Crandall, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the SUDC Foundation. "The SUDC Foundation is proud of its history of being the only worldwide organization devoted to supporting those who have been devastated by SUDC. SUDC UK will help us expand our outreach efforts to support more U.K. families and advocate for research that will further our understanding of SUDC and ways to prevent it."

"Nikki, Helen and I are proud to announce the birth of SUDC UK, an affiliate to the SUDC Foundation and a U.K. charity whose sole purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for more research and build a connected and compassionate SUDC community," said Camilla Gooden Co-Founder of SUDC UK. "SUDC UK is launched in memory of all our children and we hope we can make a difference by shining their light on SUDC. We are eternally thankful to the SUDC Foundation for supporting us on our journey to make this happen. We very much hope to see as many U.K. families as possible at our launch on 21st April."

SUDC UK will enhance the SUDC Foundation's efforts to support the needs of the SUDC community in the United Kingdom. While the SUDC Foundation will continue to provide bereavement support to SUDC families in the U.K., SUDC UK will spearhead a national public awareness campaign to raise awareness of SUDC in the U.K. as well as raise funds for expanded SUDC research initiatives. Through prior efforts, leadership of SUDC UK have raised over $228,000 (£184,500) in funding to support SUDC and bereaved families.

SUDC UK will celebrate its launch at an event on Saturday, April 21st at Chessington World of Adventures Resort supported by The Lullaby Trust. The event will honor families whose toddler or child died suddenly and unexpectedly as well as feature a presentation on the work of SUDC UK.

To learn more about SUDC and the SUDC Foundation, please visit https://sudc.org/.

To learn more about the SUDC UK, please visit: https://www.sudc.org/uk.

About the SUDC Foundation:

The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families.

About SUDC UK:

SUDC UK is dedicated to increasing awareness of sudden unexpected deaths in childhood and funding crucial research to better understand and prevent these tragedies. Co-founded by three SUDC bereaved mothers in memory of all SUDC children, they hope to make a difference by shining a light on SUDC.

The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its affiliate in the United Kingdom, SUDC UK. The SUDC Foundation, which is based in the United States, serves over 800 families in 18 countries who have experienced the unique challenges and unanswered questions that follow a sudden, unexpected and unexplained loss of a child.

Related link: https://sudc.org/

Ten States Proclaim March 2018 Awareness Month for Unexplained Childhood Deaths to Kick Off Month-Long Campaign

CEDAR GROVE, N.J. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation is pleased to announce nine states, Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah & Wisconsin, have made statewide proclamations declaring March 2018 SUDC Awareness Month. These are the first states to join a nationwide effort led by the SUDC Foundation to raise awareness of one of the most under-recognized medical tragedies of our time.

Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) is a category of death in children over the age of one year which remains unexplained after a thorough investigation and autopsy. Most often, SUDC occurs in otherwise healthy children during sleep. At least 400 children are lost to SUDC in the United States every year.

"Far too often, the first time people hear about SUDC is when they, or someone they know, has lost a child to it," said Laura Gould Crandall, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the SUDC Foundation. "SUDC families too often grieve in isolation, without information, resources or knowledge that other families exist with a similar loss. Raising awareness of SUDC is integral to the work of the SUDC Foundation so we can support those affected by SUDC and advocate for research that will further our understanding of the causes and ways to prevent SUDC."

The SUDC Foundation is advocating for SUDC Awareness Month proclamations in all 50 U.S. states this March. In 2017, 36 U.S. states participated. This nationwide effort began in 2016, inspired by Drew Joseph Boswell and the Boswell family. The Boswell family successfully advocated for the first statewide proclamation declaring March 2015 as SUDC Awareness Month in the State of Louisiana.

To see a full list of previous efforts as well as additional states who have joined, please visit: https://sudc.org/advocacy/legislative-policy-and-advocacy/us-state-proclamations

This year, the SUDC Foundation is expanding its awareness month campaign to host weekly activities for every SUDC supporter to raise awareness of SUDC and honor the children gone far too soon. To learn more, please visit: https://sudc.org/advocacy/sudc-awareness-month.

About the SUDC Foundation:

The SUDC Foundation is the only organization worldwide whose purpose is to promote awareness, advocate for research and support those affected by SUDC. The SUDC Foundation provides all services at no cost to families. To learn more about SUDC and the SUDC Foundation, please visit https://sudc.org/.

The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) Foundation is pleased to announce nine states, Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin, have made statewide proclamations declaring March 2018 SUDC Awareness Month. These are the first states to join a nationwide effort led by the SUDC Foundation to raise awareness of one of the most under-recognized medical tragedies of our time.

Related link: https://sudc.org/

Cursive is Cool Handwriting Contest Launches on 41st Anniversary of National Handwriting Day

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Cursive writing continues to enjoy increasing appreciation in the United States and around the world, and the annual Cursive is Cool(R) contests for 2018 are launching on the 41st anniversary of National Handwriting Day, celebrated around the world on Jan. 23 each year. Presented by the Campaign for Cursive(R), a committee of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, the date is associated with the birth of John Hancock.

Legend has it that Hancock, known for his large and showy signature on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, purposely enlarged his signature so "King George can see it without his spectacles."

Due to the increasing popularity of the cursive contests, a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page has been created to help parents and students as they get ready to write their entries. Entries for each contest are different: in the USA, entries must be emailed this year to make the process more efficient.

Campaign for Cursive(R) offers three contests: one in the U.S. and in two in Canada (one for English writers, one for French). Grade 1-6 students have the chance to test their cursive skills. Both contests have a deadline of March 4, 2018.

Winners of the contests will receive fun new writing instruments, workbooks, learning methods and accessories. Supporters of the contest include the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, Amsterdam Printing, Cursive Logic, Dixon Ticonderoga, Eeboo, Fahrney's Pens, Fundanoodle, Laywine's, New American Cursive Penmanship, Pelikan, PEN World, Sakura, Staedtler, and ThinkBoard. A new sponsor this year is specialty pen manufacturer Retro 51.

Contest judges are handwriting specialists and educators. Entries will be scored for legibility plus quality. Awards will be given for most creative answers as well. Winners will be notified in April and posted to the organization's social media channels.

"We love hearing from the kids about why they like to write in cursive, we get some amazingly creative entries," said Gayna Scott, Campaign for Cursive(R) chair. "Having our kids learn this lifelong skill is worth the 15 minutes a day to learn modern cursive. Research indicates that there are cognitive benefits for our children to learn cursive. Technology is important, too, one skill does not replace the other. So, have your kids enter the contest and tell us why they like to write in cursive, we think you will learn something too!"

For more information, please contact Gayna Scott, Chair of Campaign for Cursive(R) at gayna@comcast.net.

More information:
http://www.cursiveiscool.com/.

https://www.campaignforcursive.com/2018-cursive-contest-forms.html

About the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation:

The American Handwriting Analysis Foundation is a 501-(c)6 non-profit business organization, chartered and incorporated in California. Dedicated to the advancement of the handwriting sciences, AHAF promotes education for handwriting examiners at all levels of expertise and from all schools of thought. For more information, visit: https://www.ahafhandwriting.org/.

Cursive writing continues to enjoy increasing appreciation in the United States and around the world, and the annual Cursive is Cool contests for 2018 are launching on the 41st anniversary of National Handwriting Day, celebrated around the world on Jan. 23 each year. Presented by the Campaign for Cursive, a committee of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation, the date is associated with the birth of John Hancock.

Related link: https://www.ahafhandwriting.org/

Nation’s Best Track Stars Head to Semi-Finals of 44th Annual Colgate Women’s Games

BROOKLYN, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- From an initial field of thousands, some 445 girls and young women from elementary school through college and beyond, have scored points to earn a spot in the semi-finals of the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games Track and Field Series. From Georgia to Massachusetts, these gifted young competitors include some of the nation's top-ranked athletes in their events and divisions.

In the High School Division Friday:
- Sprint sensation Iantha Wright of Queen's Collegiate won the 55M, setting her own personal record in a fast 7.02.
- Hurdles champion Sophia Meyers of Queens High School of Teaching, finished undefeated with a win in 8.08, her fastest time of the series.
- In the 200M, Maya Cheatham of Queen's Young Women's Leadership School, won in 25.41. Chatham climbed all the way from 8th place at the first prelim to win with her personal best and the fastest time by anyone in the series so far.
- In the 400M, Jasmine Douglas Grant of Stroudsburg, PA crossed the tape in 58.37, with Brooklyn's Daniella Griffith of Medgar Evers College Prep, a close second in 58.75.
- New Jersey Junior Olympic Champion Athing Mu of Trenton High School scored another double win, with victories in the 800M (2:16.48) and the1500M (4:50.01).
- New York's Mariam Cisse of Promise Academy II, won the shot put with her season's best toss (11.79M).
- Brooklyn's My'Khiyah Williams of Benjamin Banneker cleared the high jump bar at 5'4" for the win.

In the Mid School Division Saturday:
- In the 55M and 200M, four-time record holder Avery Lewis of Wesstown School, PA finished another perfect season with another double win in (7.13) and (25.58).
- Hurdles champion Peyton Rollins of Andrews MS in Medford, MA finished undefeated with another personal best (8.25).
- In the 400M, Simone Kelly of Wissahickon MS in Ambler, PA remained undefeated with her win in 59.48, also a personal record. Eyota Bey of Cedarbrook MS in Wyncote, PA finished a close second in 59.68.
- In the 800M, New Jersey's Maameyaa Nyinah of Woodbridge MS scored an upset victory over last season's reigning champion Alina LaForest with a victory in 2:19.18. LaForest of Drexel Neumann Academy in Chester, PA finished a very close second in 2:19.41.
- Brooklyn's Rainn Sheppard of MS 313 heads to the semi-finals undefeated after her first place in 4:46.95.
- Rowan Houston of Rye Country Day School cleared the High Jump at 5'2"
- New Jersey's Melissa Aymil of Mendham, MS, remained undefeated in the shot put with a personal best toss of 11.34M.

Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint thanked all parents and coaches for their dedication, and encouragement throughout the preliminary meets. "We're so thankful to share in the privilege of helping your children discover and develop their abilities. To all those who are not semi-finalists, please know that each of you share in the success of our entire series, and we hope you've had a positive experience and will continue to pursue your academic and athletic goals," she said.

While the Colgate Women's Games have produced hundreds of national champions and boast 26 Olympians as alumnae, Toussaint says the Colgate Women's Games were founded to reach and impact the many thousands who don't draw the spotlight at the finish line.

"Countless participants who aren't making sports headlines are enjoying individual achievements that build self-esteem that will continue to have a positive impact throughout their lives," Toussaint said.

On Saturday, event officials paused to recognize one such special student that represents the thousands who are encouraged by a teacher, coach or parent to participate simply to learn to challenge themselves an atmosphere of friendly competition.

Eleven year-old Isabel Slippen of Pierre Van Cortlandt MS, Croton-on-the-Hudson, NY, first joined as an Elementary A competitor, and despite never earning points to move ahead to the semi-finals continued to return each week every year through mid school, where she still competes in the 800M and 1500M races. Officials noticed long ago how after her race, Isabel found her way to other competitors in her heats to offer congratulations with a handshake, high five or friendly hug and words of encouragement.

While many were brought to tears by the impromptu honor, Slippen herself seemed stunned. Toussaint said, "Isabel's kind spirit comes so naturally, and her friendly ritual is so genuine; her selfless encouragement and happiness for others' success is truly what we strive for at the Colgate Women's Games."

Saturday's emotional highlight was even more special with a surprise visit by founder Fred Thompson, who was pleased to watch his 44-year legacy still breeding this kind of success.

Results for all other divisions are available at colgategames.com, where a complete list of semi-finalists will appear on the home page on January 19, 2018.

Semi-finalist will compete on Saturday, January 27, 2018 to determine finalists who will compete at the New Balance Track and Field Center at the Armory, NYC on Saturday, February 10, 2018, where trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company are awarded to top place finishers in each grade division.

Coaches, recruiters, athletes and fans can follow scores each week at http://www.colgategames.com/. Tickets to the Armory finals are free by request at colgategames.com or via email colgategamestix@gmail.com

*PHOTO 1: Send2press.com/300dpi/ 18-0116s2p-Isabel-Maria-300dpi.jpg
Photo 1 Caption - Mid school student Isabel Slippen of Hudson, NY shown with her mom Maria, was recognized for exemplary sportsmanship as officials noticed a long standing friendly ritual of encouragement of others after each race since joining as an elementary A competitor, at the final preliminary meet of the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games held at Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY this weekend.

*PHOTO 2: Send2press.com/300dpi/18-0108s2p-wright-white-300dpi.jpg
Photo 2 Caption - Sprint champion Iantha Wright of Queens Collegiate wins the High School 55M In 7.02; her personal best; at the final preliminary meet of the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games this weekend at Pratt institute, Brooklyn, NY.

From an initial field of thousands, some 445 girls and young women from elementary school through college and beyond, have scored points to earn a spot in the semi-finals of the 44th annual Colgate Women's Games Track and Field Series. From Georgia to Massachusetts, these gifted young competitors include some of the nation's top-ranked athletes in their events and divisions.

Related link: http://www.colgategames.com/