Northwest Colorado Health will host the Rubber Ducky Race for Hospice Aug. 26. Tickets are $10.

The race will start at 11 a.m. at the Ranney Street Bridge where Craig firefighters will dump the ducks into the Yampa River. The finish line and a post-race celebration will be at Loudy Simpson Park. There will be kids’ games, face painting, food vendors, live music and tours of a Craig Fire Rescue Truck and Classic Air Medical Helicopter. Ticket holders of the first 10 ducks that cross the finish line receive cash prizes totally $1,000. The grand prize is $500. Proceeds from ticket sales support Northwest Colorado Health’s Hospice and Palliative Care program and patients and families who benefit from end-of-life care in Moffat County. Tickets are available online at northwestcoloradohealth.org/rubber ducky or on the day of the race starting at 9 a.m. at the Ranney Street Bridge. For more information, call at 970-871-7609.

Immunization Awareness Month

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National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has made August National Immunization Awareness Month. Before vaccines, many children died from diseases such as whooping cough and polio—diseases that vaccines are now able to prevent. But there’s been a resurgence of some vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States in recent years. For example, since 2010, there have been between 10,000 and 50,000 cases of whooping cough in the U.S. each year, with cases reported in every state.

Children who receive care from complementary health practitioners are less likely to get recommended immunizations and more likely to get vaccine-preventable diseases, a study in Washington State showed.

Children who receive care from complementary health practitioners are less likely to get recommended immunizations and more likely to get vaccine-preventable diseases, a study in Washington State showed. The national center’s director, Dr. Josephine Briggs, urges parents to safeguard their children by getting them properly vaccinated. She also calls on all health care provider organizations—including complementary health organizations—to raise awareness of the importance of vaccines among their members and to enlist their help in ensuring that children get the vaccines they need.

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Choose When Helps pay for LARCS

Assistance is now available for women who would like long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCS). If you want the most effective form of birth control but can’t afford it, Choose When can help. Choose When is a community funded project that is helping women in our area get IUDs and hormonal implants at low or no cost. IUDs and implants are long-acting, reversible and safe. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Northwest Colorado Health at 970-824-8233.

Northwest Colorado Health is seeking new board members

Northwest Colorado Health, a nonprofit organization based in Routt and Moffat counties, is accepting applications for new board members. Northwest Colorado Health delivers health and wellness services to residents through three program areas: Primary care (including dental and behavioral health services), public health and home health and hospice. The organization also operates The Haven Assisted Living Center in Hayden. Northwest Colorado Health serves all residents, regardless of their ability to pay. Board members attend one, two-hour meeting per month and choose to serve on at least one committee. Individuals with experience in finance, human resources, community outreach, policy development or quality assurance are encouraged to apply. For more information, contact Lisa Brown, CEO, at 970-871-7620.

8 foot care tips for diabetes

Walking, gardening, dancing, and even playing with your grandchildren are all activities you can enjoy thanks to your feet. As you enjoy your summer activities, make sure you know how to protect your feet so that they can take you anywhere you want to go.

The National Diabetes Education Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers 8 tips for people with diabetes.

• Set aside time to look at your bare feet for calluses, cuts, sores, blisters, red spots, or swelling. Use a mirror to check the bottom of your feet if you have trouble seeing them.

• Never go barefoot.

• Wash your feet every day with warm water (not too hot) and make sure to dry your feet well.

• Do not soak your feet.

• Keep your blood sugar at a healthy level.

• Ask your primary care provider to check your feet at every visit.

• Have a podiatrist (foot doctor) examine your feet at least once a year.

• Ask your podiatrist to share your test results with other members of your health care team after every visit.

Visit the CDC’s National Diabetes Education Program website to learn how diabetes can harm your feet and what you can do to keep them healthy. For more tips on foot care, also check out Take Care of Your Feet for a Lifetime booklet.