Press Releases
Year
Jesse White to Present Certificate of Support
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2015
Contact
Organ/Tissue Donor Program
(217) 827-5945 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Jesse White to Present Certificate of Support
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Recognized for Organ/Tissue Donation Support
Champaign, IL – Illinois Secretary of State, Jesse White, will present a Certificate of Support to the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) for their support of the Organ /Tissue Donor program on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. The event will be held in the main conference room at CUPHD, 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign, at 10:00 AM.
April is National Donate Life® Month. According to Life Goes On, there are currently more than 5.7 million people registered to become organ/tissue donors in Illinois; however, more than 5,000 are on the waiting list and about 300 people die each year waiting for an organ transplant. More than 25 people can benefit from single donor.
Anyone can be a potential donor regardless of age or health and medical history. Family consent is not necessary for those 18 years of age and older. The Organ/Tissue program lists the following to be considered for donation: organs include the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas and intestines; tissues include skin, bone, corneas, tendons, heart valves, saphenous veins, blood and bone marrow.
On-site donor registration will be available at the event.
For more information or to register to be an organ and tissue donor, go to www.lifegoeson.com.
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Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2015
Contact
(217) 531-2932 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinics
Join the Champaign County Medical Reserve Corp and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District for a Fun and Educational Event
Champaign, IL – The Champaign County Medical Reserve Corps (CCMRC),
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD), and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians have teamed up to host two low-cost rabies vaccination clinics and education event on Sunday, April 26, 2015. The event will be held at the ChampaignUrbana Public Health District located at 201 W. Kenyon Road in Champaign and the Rantoul Community Service Center located at 520 E. Wabash in Rantoul from 1:00 – 3:00 PM.
This event offers an opportunity for dog and cat owners who may not otherwise be able to provide vet care a more affordable option. The cost of the rabies vaccination plus the county registration fee ranges from $15 - $26. Up to 75 pre-registered individuals are guaranteed a spot. Walk-ins are welcome and will be seen after those who are registered.
The clinic will also provide education on diseases that pets can spread to humans. CCMRC provides outreach regarding such diseases, practices intake and vaccinations, and implements low-cost vaccination clinics to assist with community preparedness and resiliency.
To register for the clinic, go to: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S2RRBPZ.
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Groundwater is a Vital Resource
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2015
Contact
Michael Flanagan Environmental Health Specialist II
(217) 531-2908 /
Amy Roberts, Public Relations
(217) 531-4264 /
Groundwater is a Vital Resource
Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Promotes National Groundwater Awareness Week
CHAMPAIGN, IL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) promotes
National Groundwater Awareness Week, March 8-14, 2015. According to the National Ground Water Association®, groundwater is essential to the health and well-being of humanity and the environment. Groundwater is the water that soaks into the soil from rain or other precipitation and moves downward to fill cracks and other openings in beds of rocks and sand. This week’s purpose is to educate the public about the importance of groundwater and water well stewardship.
More than 90 percent of all public drinking water systems rely on groundwater to supply the population with drinking water and millions of Americans rely on groundwater from aquifers to supply their private wells, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
CUPHD encourages residents of Champaign County with private wells to test their water annually for contaminants. Private water wells should be tested every year for evidence of coliform bacteria and nitrates, and should be tested more frequently if there are recurrent incidents of gastrointestinal illness or there are changes in taste, odor or appearance.
“Private well water safety is often overlooked by the general public,” said Michael Flanagan, Environmental Health Specialist II at CUPHD. “The water from a homeowner’s private well is not checked by any agency. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to ensure that their drinking water is free of contaminants.”
Private well water test kits are available for $20 each (within Champaign-Urbana city limits) or $49 each (elsewhere in Champaign County) at the Environmental Health Division of CUPHD located at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign from 8:00 AM – Noon and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Monday through Friday. The kit fee includes sample bottles, instructions and lab testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates. Testing for coliform bacteria will reveal whether your water supply may be contaminated with infectious organisms. Nitrates found in ground water may be produced by agricultural fertilizers, livestock wastes or septic systems.
To ensure a safe water supply, residents are also encouraged to use the following simple guidelines:
- Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides and motor oil far away from the well.
- Maintain a proper separation (at least 50 feet) between the well and private septic systems, kennels, livestock operations and chemical storage areas.
- Seal abandoned water wells.
- Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing to ensure it is in good repair and securely attached. This seal should keep out insects and rodents.
There should be no openings into the cap, except for a factory-installed vent.
- Keep your well records in a safe place. These include construction reports, annual water well system maintenance and water testing results.
For more information on private water wells, please contact CUPHD at (217) 373-7900 or visit CUPHD on the web at www.c-uphd.org.