Photo submitted to Times Observer
Magician Cris Johnson performed his A Cat and A Hat program March 20 to preschoolers at the Warren Public Library. Throughout the program, he called on willing volunteers to come up and help with his wacky stunts. This interactive experience had children and adults laughing, pointing, and cheering. Throughout the show, Mr. Johnson refers to Dr. Seuss books and encourages reading. Read Across America and celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday takes place throughout our country at the end of February and the beginning of March, so be sure to stop by the Children’s Department at the library to check out some whimsical Seuss books. Johnson will return to the library this summer to perform his space-themed show.

Together with Warren General Hospital and Associated Clinical Laboratories, Kiwanis Club of Warren is organizing its 41st Annual Spring Blood Screening.

A simple blood screening at any age is the easiest and most important thing you can do today to monitor your health and prevent serious issues tomorrow. Knowing your numbers can help your physician catch issues before they turn into heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or others. Kiwanis is proud to offer a low-cost screening to Warren County and surrounding areas. A Pennsylvania address is not required if you’re willing to take a drive.

This year’s event will be from 6 to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, April 27, at Saint Joseph’s Educational Center in Warren.

Signups are available now at www.kiwanisofwarrenpa.org, and you have the option to sign up in person or over the phone if you prefer. Those signup sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on March 23 at Hampton Inn & Suites (3291 Market St. Ext.), March 30 at Tops (74 Market St.), and April 6 at the Warren Public Library (205 Market St.). Phone signups will be held every Thursday in March from 10 a.m. to noon at (814) 406-9072.

If your employer asks you to take biometric screenings, we recommend following their direction, but Kiwanis offers a robust set of tests. Kiwanis’ base $35 screening includes a complete blood count (detects infection in your blood or leukemia), electrolytes testing (sodium, potassium, chloride to detect water balance), blood glucose (diabetes detection), kidney function, and liver function.

Also available is the optional PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test for $25, recommended for men between the ages of 40 and 70 to help detect prostate cancer. An A1C test is available for $10 to test a person’s average levels of blood sugar. This is used primarily for diabetes management and research.

Relatively new tests include a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) test for $10, Cardio C-Reactive Protein (CRP) for $25, Hepatitis C for $30, and Vitamin D for $25.

Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland, part of the endocrine system, malfunctions either because it produces too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) thyroid hormone. If left untreated, health problems can occur ranging from issues with metabolism, cardiac and nervous system function, sleep disturbances, changes in mood, increased irritability, constipation, fatigue, and muscle weakness.

Your body produces C-reactive protein (CRP) when something is starting to become inflamed. If a doctor finds CRP in your blood, he/she will know there’s inflammation happening somewhere in your body. If your arteries are inflamed, you have a greater risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a one-time screening for all baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964). Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer and the leading cause of the need for liver transplants.

For information, call or text message to (814) 406-9072, or email at info@kiwanisofwarrenpa.org. RSVP to the Facebook event to stay updated with any changes.

Class breakfast

The men of the Warren High School class of 1951 will meet for breakfast at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Perkins.

Reunion meeting

The Youngsville High School Class of 1969 will hold a class meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Youngsville American Legion to work on the 50th class reunion. All classmates are welcome. Contact Sandy at 664-9445 for information.

WGH Auxiliary fundraiser

The Warren General Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring a “Collective Goods” fundraiser in the WGH Outpatient Lobby March 4, 7 a.m.

Photo submitted to Times Observer
Year One students in the Health & Medical Assistant Program at the Warren County Career Center enjoyed a recent visit from Ike, pet therapy dog for Hospice of Warren County. Ike’s handler Julie Hitchcock, and volunteer coordinator Barbara Zingone, presented information to the students, including the mission and vision of Hospice of Warren County, services available, misconceptions about hospice care, the importance of volunteer work, benefits of pet therapy, and training requirements for therapy pets. According to Kylie Harris, Year One instructor in the HMA Program, “While our healthcare careers program does center upon a rigorous curriculum to lay a foundation for our students’ future academic pursuits, it really is so much more than that. Part of our job within the program is to instill in our students a commitment to service and a belief in the greater good. We are truly blessed to have such unique, compassionate nonprofit organization that forms the backbone of our incredible community, and it is important for our students to be aware of those resources and potential future employers.” Students, from left, in front, are Madison Howard, Alexandra Pascuzzi, Raegon Beaver (handling Ike) Jesse Taylor, and Mia Johnson and, in back, Julie Hitchcock (Hospice of Warren County), Destiny Upton, Abagaile Powell, Shelbia Crisman, Riley Eastman, and Barbi Zingone (Hospice of Warren County).

Cash, credit card, and WGH payroll deduction are all accepted for payment.

Proceeds enable the Auxiliary to continue to support its many programs and projects such as the valet service, the scholarship program, and hospital department needs.