Idle Free Tallahassee

In Tallahassee's carbon footprint, mobile sources (vehicles) account for a significant portion of greenhouse gases (GHG). The unnecessary idling of vehicles contributes to greenhouse gases and results in excessive emissions, negative health impacts, wasted fuel and reduced engine performance. Reducing unnecessary idling of vehicles is one way to reduce our carbon footprint and preserve our environment.


Idle Free Tallahassee - Leon is a partnership of state and local government agencies, universities, community college, and local businesses and individuals that are committed to reducing unnecessary idling through actions like No Idling Policies, Employee/Community Education, No Idling Zones, and a Community Pledge Campaign. Together, we can all make a difference. Partner with us to eliminate unnecessary idling. For more information please visit: http://www.talgov.com/eper/idlefreepledge.cfm

Florida County Health Rankings

To find out how your county ranks visit: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/florida

Alert -- Help us stop Medication Switching!

Medication switching occurs when a prescription is changed from what the physician has written on the prescription form, to a different medication being dispensed at the pharmacy without your knowledge.  Many health plans are now asking physicians to change your medication from what was prescribed to a therapeutic alternative, which is a different chemical compound. 

If this has happened to you, please share your story by emailing Community Health Charities of Florida at info@healthcharitiesfla.org.  We would like to act proactively to stop this practice but we need your stories to get this grassroots movement going!  Stories may be posted on our site and/or forwarded to parties working to stop this practice.  By sending your story to info@healthcharitiesfla.org you are agreeing to the release of your story for publication.  Stories should be no more than 150 to 200 words, and include your full name, address and telephone number for verification purposes; only names will be published, unless requested otherwise. We may condense stories and edit for grammar and clarity.  Feel free to include a picture with your story.  The more faces we put on this unfortunate practice the better message we will send to those who can stop it! 

For more information about medication switching please read this article entitled Not All Drugs Are The Same After All, from the New York Times.

Keep track of your medications with this Consumer Alert card.

MDA Volunteer Vance Taylor Provides Help, Hope and Knowledge – A Video Podcast
An accomplished public speaker and a long-time volunteer for MDA, Vance Taylor co-hosts the regional broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Labor Day Telethon for the Washington, DC area. Vance is all to familiar with the many challenging aspects of living with a neuromuscular disorder and understands that where to turn for credible information can be a major obstacle for many. Through its Health Matters at Work^® program, Community Health Charities has partnered with MDA’s Vance Taylor in this video podcast to provide help, hope and knowledge for patients and their families who are affected by a neuromuscular disease. Click here to view this important video podcast.

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Learn more about our local member charities by visiting our charity spotlight page.

Epilepsy Foundation of Florida helps to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; and will prevent, control and support a cure for epilepsy through services, research support, education, and advocacy.

  

Family Diagnosis

It is Sunday, October 18, 1992 in Bristol, Rhode Island at Colt State Park. There are thousands milling around the area awaiting the start signal for ADA's 10K. I am amongst the throng. I have raised my 975 dollars, which will be allocated to print some 20 thousand diabetes at risk quizzes distributed in major companies' paychecks to identify the 25 thousand undiagnosed Rhode Islanders. My friends and co-workers are with me and ready to run too.

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It is Sunday, October 18, 1992 in Bristol, Rhode Island at Colt State Park. There are thousands milling around the area awaiting the start signal for ADA's 10K. I am amongst the throng. I have raised my 975 dollars, which will be allocated to print some 20 thousand diabetes at risk quizzes distributed in major companies' paychecks to identify the 25 thousand undiagnosed Rhode Islanders. My friends and co-workers are with me and ready to run too. Looking back, did I really even know what diabetes was and what the American Diabetes Association did for those afflicted with the disease?

Fast forward the clock some 11 years. I am in Florida, married with two sons, sitting in a hospital with my second born, who just received the diagnosis of juvenile diabetes at the tender age of four. Three years later, the year is 2006, I am bringing my first born child to the hospital already recognizing he has juvenile diabetes, too. What is the American Diabetes Association to me? My extended family and link to other families who live the diabetes lifestyle. ADA was the first call I made to get my family support; a "Wizdom Kit" introducing them to their disease in a child friendly way, support groups, and activities for us to participate in. I have made valuable friendships with other mothers and staff members. We are all a team going out in the world advocating diabetes rights and awareness. I am not alone when school issues arise, as blood is considered a "weapon" and diabetic youth are not allowed to test their sugars in the classroom. The American Diabetes Association has lobbyists, litigators and activists in our corner. My sons are not alone when they attend Camp JADA with 100 other children with diabetes.

After their first year at camp, my five year old told me, "Mom, you have NO idea how much fun it is to have diabetes." Our history with North Florida's ADA staff is one that surpasses the realm of business, as they are there for us on a personal level. Whether it is Sheri, Paige, Mandy, or Kimberly; over the years they have seen my tears, shared my pain. My children are growing up believing ADA is their own personal support agency. I recall an ADA October Bash, held as outdoor fair each fall, when I met another mom who had two sons with diabetes. This connection for me was huge. Now, I know what the American Diabetes Association is and means to those who have diabetes, and I am very grateful. Thank you!

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