Media Releases

Keweenaw Trails Alliance, Portage Health and Cross Country Sports are once again hosting a free local junior mountain bike clinic this summer. The clinic features eight weekly rides ranging from Houghton to Copper Harbor and everywhere in between.

“This is the best way to introduce your kids to mountain biking,” said Lori Hauswirth, who will lead most of the rides. “We’ll guide kids through our local trail systems, while providing a safe and fun atmosphere. Our goal is to get kids active, outside and to develop a love for mountain biking that they can carry forward into future years.”

The first ride is scheduled for June 18, and continues every Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 6. Rides will be held at Swedetown Trails, Michigan Tech Trails, Churning Rapids, Nara Trails and Copper Harbor Trail System.

“The inactivity of children today is contributing greatly to the obesity and health issues we are seeing in our youth at much earlier ages,” said Kevin Store, director of marketing and communications at Portage Health. “This is a great way to get kids active and outdoors in a safe, supervised activity.”

Kids will learn the basics of mountain biking and work with experienced riders to improve their skillset. A geared mountain bike, helmet, closed-toe shoes and water bottle is required from all participants. Kids must be at least 8 years old. Younger kids may be welcome based on skill level and parent participation in riding sessions.

For more information call (906) 487-6635 or e-mail Hauswirth at lori@copperharbortrails.org.

Dates and Locations
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Portage Health – Hancock, June 18 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Swedetown Trails – June 25 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Michigan Tech Trails – July 2 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Churning Rapids – July 9 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Swedetown Trails – July 16 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Nara Trails – July 23 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Copper Harbor Trail System – July 30 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Kid’s Mountain Biking at Swedetown Trails – Aug. 6 – 6:30 p.m.
 

This summer Portage Health is offering a unique opportunity for area kids to learn healthy lifelong habits during a free four-week program called Jump Start For Kids. Kids will spend 12 hours a week with health care professionals focusing on three key areas that affect the health and development of children: nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices.

“Portage Health is committed to curbing childhood obesity in our area,” said Angela Luskin, community health coordinator. “This program will utilize hands-on activities and engaging presentations to provide great building blocks for the participants’ future.”

The program is designed from children ages 8 to 11. It will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon at Dee Stadium. There are three four-week sessions scheduled with the first beginning June 10, the second on July 8 and the third on Aug. 5.

“We’re focused on encouraging kids to make their own healthy decisions by providing a fun and non-intimidating environment,” Luskin said.

Interested families should complete an application to be considered for Jump Start For Kids. Space is limited. Please contact Luskin at (906) 483-1153 or aluskin@portagehealth.org to apply or learn more about the program.

A newly planted cancer survivor tree will be dedicated on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. during Portage Health Cancer Care’s inaugural Cancer Survivor Ceremony.

The ceremony will take place at Portage Health’s main campus during the Health and Safety Fair. During the ceremony balloons of all different colors will be released representing the different kinds of cancer. All attendees are invited to join survivors in a coffee and cake social following the ceremony.

The newly planted tree is a silver maple, and represents the hundreds of Copper Country residents who have won their fight with cancer.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony.

The American Cancer Society, Copper Country Relay for Life and Portage Health are hosting an information session about the Cancer Prevention Study-3 on Tuesday, June 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Portage Health’s main campus in Hancock.

CPS-3 is a grassroots effort where local communities from across the country can support cancer research not just through fundraising efforts, but also by participating actively in this historic research study. At this year’s Copper Country Relay For Life on June 28 there will be a four-hour enrollment session.

“This is quite an honor, and a great opportunity to be part of the research that will lead to a cancer-free tomorrow,” said Laurie Stark, who is in charge of the local enrollment efforts. “Each of the first two studies the ACS did led to monumental changes in the way we treat cancer.”

Stark will be leading the information session on June 4, and is the contact person for the local enrollment session.

“We need people to understand what this study is, and how important it is to the future of what the American Cancer Society does,” Stark said.

Learn more about the study by going to cancer.org/cps3. For additional information about the local enrollment session contact Stark at cps3.houghton@gmail.com.

First session focused on runners

The Portage Health Rehab department is beginning a series of lectures aimed to help the community gain knowledge to live a healthier and safer life. The series will feature rehab professionals speaking on a variety of topics.

“Our rehab staff will utilize the most current research in medicine and wellness to help direct people in self management and prevention of muscoskeletal impairments,” said Mark Randell, director of rehab.

The first event will be held on Wednesday, June 5 at the Portage Health Rehab office in Calumet.

The first 45-minute session will begin at 6 p.m. with “Run for Your Life: An Introduction to Running.” The second will begin at 6:50 with a focus on seasoned runners, “Improving the Economy of Running: Information for the Experienced Runner.”

“We are excited to be able to offer the first lecture series for local runners as this population of fitness has significantly increased in our region in recent years,” said Randell. “We will be presenting tips for injury prevention and sport performance to beginner and experienced runners.”

Mallory Rojewski, DPT, will lead both sessions, which are free and open to the public. After the initial discussion there will be a short question-and-answer session and time for free individual consultations.

“We’re really excited about this lecture series,” Randell said. “Each session will focus on issues that people deal with on a daily basis.”

Additional information on the first lectures is available at portageghealth.org/rehablectures. The website will also feature information on future lectures as it becomes available.

Portage Health is hosting its fifth annual Health and Safety Fair on Saturday, June 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its main location in Hancock. The annual event is free to the public with health screenings, giveaways, tours of the facility, healthy snacks and much, much more.

“We hope you and your family will take time out of your busy schedule to join us this year, and take advantage of these free screenings and activities,” said Jim Bogan, president/CEO of Portage Health.

This year’s free screenings include total cholesterol, blood glucose, bone density, hearing, heart rate, pulse oximetry, pediatric breathing problems, body mass index, waist circumference and vision.

Back by popular demand is the car seat clinic, where parents work with experts to ensure their car seat is as safe as possible for their children. One hundred lucky kids will also leave with a free professionally fit bike helmet.

New for 2013 are health presentations by medical staff, including pediatrician Dr. Anas Jaber, and physical therapists Mark Kargela and Mallory Rojewski.

There is no preregistration for the event, and the entire community is invited. Visit portagehealth.org/fair, or call (906) 483-1153 for more information.

Preregistration is now open for the Camp 911 Emergency Preparedness Camp on Aug. 6-7 at Mercy EMS Facility on Airport Road. The camp is free to students who are completing or entering sixth grade in a Houghton or Keweenaw County school.

Aspirus Keweenaw, Portage Health and Mercy EMS put on the two-day camp. Preregistration is due by July 1. Space is limited and the camp traditionally fills with a waiting list, so interested participants are asked to preregister as soon as possible.

“This camp is put on by an incredible group of volunteers from our community and has evolved into an invaluable, multifaceted learning experience for our area youth,” ,” said event organizer Ann Clancy-Klemme, RN, EMT-P. “The lessons learned at this camp will benefit the campers, and their community, today and throughout their lifetime.”

The camp focuses on hands-on fun that will help the kids learn what to do if they’re the first one on the scene of an emergency. It also focuses on how to avoid high-risk behaviors so that campers don’t become the person needing the help.

Campers will receive free beverages, snacks, lunch, a bystander care kid, a Camp 911 t-shirt and a certificate of completion on the final day. For more information on the camp, and to preregister online, visit portagehealth.org/camp911.