Latest news with #NationalDonateLifeMonth
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What's Going Around: Biden's prostate diagnosis should be wake up call for men to get tested
WASHINGTON () — Former President Joe Biden's prostate cancer diagnosis has sparked an important discussion on screenings. It is a warning for men to get tested annually for the disease. According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. National Donate Life Month highlights need for organ donations Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, behind only lung cancer. 'I hope that all men will pay attention to prostate cancer screening. We talked about there is different guidelines,' Dr. Heather Chalfin, a urologist at Frederick Health, said. 'We have a newer early detection of prostate cancer guideline, and in fact they have lowered the age to initiate screening from before. Chalfin said men at average risk of developing prostate cancer would start around age 45. 'If there are men at elevated risk to develop prostate cancer, the age is 4,0 and things that elevate the risk to develop prostate cancer would be black ancestry, having a germ line genetic mutation, or really strong relevant family cancer history,' Chalfin said. Prostate cancer is highly treatable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said prostate cancers grow slowly, and most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die of it. However, the survival rate varies depending on the stage of the cancer and other factors. 'Prostate cancer when it is localized and has not spread outside of the prostate is extremely treatable and I tell my patients it is almost always curable with treatment and I also encourage them, even if it has spread outside the prostate, there are many excellent treatments and it is a favorable type of cancer to have,' Chalfin said. More younger people diagnosed with colorectal cancer According to the CDC, the most common risk factors for prostate cancer include age, genetics, family history, and race and ethnicity. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of experts that makes recommendations on services like screenings, noted that African American men have an increased lifetime risk of developing or dying from the cancer, at 4.2%. Hispanic men face a 2.9% lifetime risk, white men face a 2.3% lifetime risk, and Asian and Pacific Islander men face a 2.1% lifetime risk. The American Cancer Society noted that prostate cancer grows slowly, so screenings for men with no symptoms who have less than a 10-year life expectancy are not recommended because 'they aren't likely to benefit from it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Two US cities find loophole around Pride and Juneteenth flag bans. What to know
Two progressive U.S. cities in red states found a new way around state laws banning Pride and Juneteenth flags from being flown on government property. The cities simply incorporated the flags' designs into official city flags so the flags can legally be flown on city property. In Idaho, Boise's city council approved two new flags Tuesday, May 6, the Idaho Statesman reported. One of the flags is the rainbow LGBTQ+ Pride flag and the other is the National Donate Life Month banner. 'The Legislature earlier this year banned most flags from flying on government property, but left an exception for 'the official flag of a governmental entity,'' the outlet reported. Five council members voted in favor of the move 'saying that everyone was welcome and safe in Boise,' while one voted no, saying 'she felt the city had to uphold the law and that constituents didn't want the change,' the outlet reported. In Utah, Salt Lake City took a similar measure, adopting the LGBTQ+ Pride flag, the transgender pride flag and the Juneteenth flag as official city flags with the city's logo of a Sego Lily in the upper lefthand corner on the flags, KSTU reported. The unanimous move brings the city under code with the H.B. 77 flag bill, which went into effect Wednesday, May 7, KTVX reported. The law restricts certain flags from flying on government property besides the U.S. flag, the Utah state flag, 'flags of other countries, states, or cities,' college and university flags, military flags, Native American tribe flags, the National League of Families POW/MIA flag, Olympic flags and public school flags, the outlet reported. The official flags adopted by the city were named to reflect the causes behind them, the outlet reported. 'The Sego Celebration Flag, representing the history of Juneteenth and the City's Black and African American residents; The Sego Belonging Flag, representing the City's LGBTQIA residents and broader acceptance of this community; and The Sego Visibility Flag, representing the City's transgender residents and a commitment to seeing and celebrating their lives,' the outlet reported.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Boise adds two official flags in latest jab at Legislature's new law
The Boise City Council made the Pride flag a city flag Tuesday to get around a new state law. The Legislature earlier this year banned most flags from flying on government property, but left an exception for 'the official flag of a governmental entity.' Cheers, boos and expletives erupted from the crowd during the rowdy meeting. Five of Boise's council members voted yes on the resolution — saying that everyone was welcome and safe in Boise. Luci Willits, the lone no vote, said she felt the city had to uphold the law and that constituents didn't want the change. 'I know that people who identify with this flag want to be seen,' Willits told the waiting crowd inside the meeting. 'I want you to know that I see you, even if I disagree with having this be an official flag.' The city also designated a National Donate Life Month banner as an official flag, meaning Boise now has three official flags. The resolution itself says an official flag is any one the mayor declares as official. Some council members focused on the economic and emotional benefits of having a pro-LGBTQ+ city. Council President Colin Nash said he empathized with people who are afraid of being open to the world. 'There are so many folks that live lives of quiet desperation, every single day in our community, who carry with them a secret,' Nash said. 'I hope just once that the city of Boise's flag, that someone will see that and know that they are not alone.' As the officials spoke, audience members interrupted and argued among themselves, including complaints that the city didn't take public comment on the change. The resolution was on the consent agenda, which typically doesn't include time for comments. Over an hour before the meeting, dozens of protesters and observers were filling up the spaces between police barricades in front of City Hall. Garrett Richardson, who said he identifies as gay, came to the meeting to speak in opposition. He said he has voted Democrat but feels politically homeless right now, and he views the flag as signaling support for liberal causes more than the LGBTQ+ community. He said Boise should focus on concrete actions to help LGBTQ+ Boiseans, like expanding sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment services. 'I was born and raised here and I experienced a ton of homophobia in school,' Richardson said. 'I don't think any flag could ever fix that.' Other people came to the event to show support for LGTBQ+ children. At least one other city in Idaho is trying to potentially find a way around the new law, which also allows for displaying the U.S. flag, flags of any state, flags of any U.S. military branches and units, the POW/MIA flag, flags of Indian tribes and flags of Idaho public schools, colleges and universities. An hour after Boise's city council meeting started, Bonners Ferry councilors gathered to discuss their longtime display of the Canadian flag. The flag is a 'sign of friendship' and a recognition of Canadian tourism's impact on the economy, Bonners Ferry City Attorney Andrakay Pluid wrote in a memo. Once the law was in place, the Idaho Attorney General's Office contacted Bonners Ferry asking the city to take down the Canadian flag, according to the online council agenda. The Attorney General's Office declined to comment. Pluid presented three options to the council: The two simplest options were to keep flying the flag and risk a lawsuit or stop flying it. However, the city also could use part of the law allowing flags to commemorate special occasions and declare a year-round 'special occasion' recognizing the relationship with Canada, the city attorney said. 'It's an untested issue,' Pluid wrote in a memo to the council. It was unclear at the time of publication what action Bonners Ferry would take. Cities have been grappling with the law since it went into effect April 3, in part because it has no enforcement mechanism. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador also sent a letter to the city of Boise warning of potential consequences. Recently, the city announced several lawyers had volunteered to represent the city pro bono if there's legal action about the flags. Thad Butterworth, chairman of the Ada County Republicans, told the Statesman he thought the bill was 'reasonable' in its attempt to eliminate partisanship from government entities. However, Butterworth said he was concerned that legislators hadn't included a way to enforce the law. Several Ada County Republicans were planning to attend the meeting unofficially, he said. Even as the council members moved on to more mundane business, protesters kept arguing outside. A local right-wing provocateur tried to burn a Pride flag on a cross, but ultimately left. People hurled insults as the police started taking down the barricades. Eventually the crowd dispersed. All that was left were chalk messages, reading 'Rainbows are 4 everyone' and 'love wins.' Earlier, Becky Prew had sat among the sidewalk designs, wearing a pride shirt. She came to support her LGBTQ+ son, who had moved away from Idaho because of homophobia. During the Legislative session, photographs given to legislators on the House floor included the Pride flags at Boise City Hall. 'I think it's unfortunate. I mean I don't think we're a city that should be so divided. We were never like this,' Prew said. 'I don't understand why (LGBTQ+ people) are the target of this.' Boise-area sheriff criticizes a new Idaho law he says police can't enforce Boise is still flying Pride flag. Citing new law, Idaho AG sends warning letter
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Lifted spirits with his signature wave': Fond du Lac community mourns loss of beloved crossing guard
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (WFRV) – The Fond du Lac Police Department and community members are in mourning after the death of a beloved local icon. Jerome 'Jerry' A. Boehlen Sr. stood at the corner of Park and Merrill for two decades, helping children cross the street safely while greeting every passerby with a smile and wave. Emplify Health celebrates life-saving efforts of donors during 'National Donate Life Month' Jerry passed away on Monday, the Fond du Lac Police Department said. 'Rain or shine, Jerry was there — a steady presence, a friendly face, and a local icon whose kindness touched generations,' the Fond du Lac Police Department said. ' Brown County officials provide updates on closures during repaving of Fox River State Trail While Jerry retired three years ago, many will continue to recognize Park and Merril as 'Jerry's Corner.' 'Thank you, Jerry, for the decades of dedication, laughter and love,' the Fond du Lac Police Department said. 'You will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial wall in Appleton honors 1,249 Vietnam veterans who never made it home
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – A permanent memorial wall honoring Wisconsin natives who died during the Vietnam War was officially dedicated Tuesday, marking 50 years to the day since the war ended on April 30, 1975. The Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Wall, located behind the Vets and Friends Coffee House on North Richmond Street, features the names and photographs of all 1,249 Wisconsin service members who died in the conflict. Emplify Health celebrates life-saving efforts of donors during 'National Donate Life Month' The outdoor exhibit, made up of 17 aluminum panels, is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free to visit. 'It's called a face to every name,' said Jack Voight, the Vietnam veteran who led the effort to build the wall. 'It sends another message of it being unbelievable what that person went through.' Voight, who served in Vietnam and Cambodia with the U.S. Army in 1969 and 1970, said he wanted to create something more personal and accessible than the national memorial in Washington, D.C. Unlike the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall, the Appleton wall features full names, faces, and county-by-county biographical details of each fallen service member. 'Every county in this state, 72 counties, had a veteran, except for one,' Voight said. 'That was Iron County, which had a veteran who died in Vietnam.' The wall is organized by county and includes a locator panel to help visitors find names. Standing seven feet tall and over 50 feet long, the memorial also features flags, eagle statues, and a fallen soldier marker with the inscription 'All Gave Some. Some Gave All.' The wall's total cost was about $70,000, funded entirely by donations, including a $25,000 contribution from Appleton's VFW Post 2778. The dedication ceremony included speeches from local veterans, officials from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, and a 21-gun salute. For many Vietnam veterans in attendance, the wall provided a long-overdue tribute. 'I've never met some of these people now living in the state of Wisconsin, but I do recognize some of the names from neighboring counties,' said Wayne Martin, a Vietnam veteran in the Third Marine Division. 'Lifted spirits with his signature wave': Fond du Lac community mourns loss of beloved crossing guard He also hinted at expanding services at the site, including free meals for veterans and their families, which the nonprofit Vets and Friends already provides monthly. 'Please remember, if you see a veteran in the store or gas station, just shake his hand and say thank you. That's going to make that veteran's day,' Martin said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
