Craig health briefs for Nov. 28, 2015: National Day of Remembrance Thursday for drunk driving victims | CraigDailyPress.com
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Craig health briefs for Nov. 28, 2015: National Day of Remembrance Thursday for drunk driving victims

Craig Daily Press Staff Report

— Mothers Against Drunk Driving announced the first-ever National Day of Remembrance on Thursday to honor those who have been killed or injured in drunk driving crashes and their loved ones.

“Over 10,000 people every year are killed and another 290,000 are injured as a result of drunk driving,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church in a press release. Her 18-year-old son Dustin was killed in an underage drunk and drugged driving crash. “Countless loved ones are left behind to cope with these tragedies and rebuild their lives.”

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month and the deadliest month of the year for drunk driving crashes, according to the release, with New Year’s Day ranking as the deadliest single day of the year for drunk driving.



Leading up to the event, drunk and drugged driving victims are invited to post an image of their loved ones using the hashtag “#MADDremembers” on social media or on the MADD Facebook page. For more information about MADD’s National Day of Remembrance, or to find a local event, visit madd.org/dayofremembrance.

Yampa Valley Pregnancy and Family Center receives grant

Yampa Valley Pregnancy & Family Center received a 2015 Community Grant from Yampa Valley Community Foundation in Steamboat Springs. The funds will be used to upgrade the Earn While You Learn program modules, purchase clothing racks for the Practical Needs Store and to provide diapers, formula and other infant and toddler items to community members raising infants and toddlers and pregnant teens and women.



“We are so grateful and excited to receive this grant. We are using the funds to upgrade our Earn While You Learn modules, something we have wanted to do for three years,” said the center’s executive director, Vicki Van Couvering. “Thank you Yampa Valley Community Foundation.”

VNA will host Celebration of Light

Individuals and families who have lost loved ones are invited to the Celebration of Light, 5 to 7 p.m. December 8 at the Craig VNA, 745 Russell Street.

Each person will decorate an ornament in memory of their loved one and place it on a community tree. A small candlelight service with follow. Ornaments, supplies and refreshments will be provided. You are welcome to take your ornament home after the holidays.

For more information, call Sandy Beran, 970-871-7682.

Yellow fever vaccine shortage

The yellow fever vaccine, recommended or required for travel to some international destinations, is in short supply. Anyone planning travel to a yellow fever risk area should contact the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association’s travel clinic to verify the vaccine is available. If possible, travelers should do this at least one month prior to departure.

Contact the VNA’s travel clinic at 970-871-7336. A list of all Colorado clinics providing the yellow fever vaccine is available at colorado.gov/cdphe/international-travel.

Medicare counseling available for seniors

Open enrollment for Medicare drug plans, or Part D, ends Dec. 7. Medicare enrollees are encouraged to meet with a certified Medicare counselor to review their plan and ensure their prescription needs are being met.

Medicare clients have the opportunity to review and switch drug plans each year during the open enrollment period. If you feel you’re paying too much or your prescriptions aren’t covered by your current plan, there may be better options available.

To make an appointment to review your plan, contact Betsy Packer at 970-819-6401.

Help is available for insurance enrollment

Individuals who need health insurance or need to renew their plans must do so by Jan. 31, 2016. Be aware of the following important information:

 There are new plans and prices every year. Financial help is available to lower monthly costs.

 Free in-person assistance is available to help you find the right plan.

 If you’re already enrolled, you need to renew your plan to retain coverage. Be sure to review your options.

 There are tax fines for not having health insurance.

 You must enroll or renew your plan by:

  • December 15, 2015 for coverage beginning January 1, 2016
  • January 15, 2016 for coverage beginning February 1, 2016
  • January 31, 2016 for coverage beginning March 1, 2016

For assistance in enrolling in health insurance, contact a Health Coverage Guide at the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association at 970-871-7324.

Drop-in open enrollment assistance also is available 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and Jan. 14, 2016 at YampaCare Family Medicine, 595 Russell St.


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