More than 100,000 low-income women are receiving free multivitamins with folic acid in an effort to reduce birth defects thanks to the March of Dimes North Carolina Preconception Health Campaign. Last month, the campaign ordered 110,000 bottles of multivitamins and distributed them to health departments and community safety-net agencies participating in the Statewide Multivitamin Distribution Program.

Originally funded as a part of a bill passed by the N.C. General Assembly in 2009, the program distributes multivitamins with folic acid to low income, non-pregnant women of childbearing age through health departments and other safety-net providers. Since 2010, the North Carolina Division of Public Health Women’s Health Branch and the March of Dimes have worked together through a publicprivate partnership to ensure the continuation of this vital program. Since the program’s inception, more than 500,000 bottles of vitamins have been distributed statewide.

Cancer care in WNC to be the focus of new collaboration

Mission Health announces a collaboration with Hope Women's Cancer Centers (Hope), which has specialized in gynecologic and breast cancer treatment for women throughout the Southeast for more than 20 years. This new collaboration will enhance patients’ access to a broader network of specialized cancer care, while continuing the special caring tradition that Hope is known for with the region’s only fellowship trained, Board Certified Gynecologic Oncologists.

Centrally located in Western North Carolina, Hope provides a warm, comfortable state-of-the-art environment focused exclusively on women. Hope physicians also have significant expertise in breast cancer and high-risk breast disease, caring for women across the region while training future physicians for the region and beyond.

At the upcoming Tuesday, Jan. 22, Ladies Night Out Program, the topic will be “How Not To Be A Victim.” The guest speakers will be Chief David Adams and Officer Christy Evans of the Franklin Police Department.

Ladies Night Out is a partnership between Macon County Public Health and Angel Medical Center (AMC) to provide free monthly programs on a variety of health topics for women with an emphasis on the importance of regular health screenings. Local corporate sponsors provide snacks, door prizes and supplies each month.

Local businesses recently purchased and donated teddy bears to MedWest-Harris. The bears, which were sold as part of an Avon "Curly the Bear" fundraiser by local Avon salesperson Melissa Raynor, will be given out to new babies and children who are patients at MedWest-Harris.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the New Generations Family Birthing Center, a renovation project scheduled for 2013.