Health & Wellness 67th by d-mars.com

– Freedom, Family & Health –

2025 Houston World Sickle Cell Day Juneteenth Jubilee Summit, Health Fair & Blood Drive Brings Celebration and Empowerment to Acres Homes

By Dr. Tomia Austin News Provider

n honor of World Sickle Cell Day and Juneteenth, the As One Foundation, in collaboration with a coalition of community organizations, proudly presents the 2025 Houston World Sickle Cell Day Juneteenth Jubilee Therapeutics Summit, Health Fair & Blood Drive – a vibrant, family-friendly celebration uniting culture, care, and community.

Set for Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 11 AM to 3 PM at the Acres Home Multi-Service Center, this annual event uplifts the spirit of Juneteenth while advocating for those living with sickle cell disease and trait. With a Kid Zone, gift giveaways, door prizes for adults, free food, and an expo-style community celebration, it’s a day the entire family can enjoy while making a lasting impact.

A DOUBLE CELEBRATION ROOTED IN HERITAGE AND HEALTH

Juneteenth, commemorating the liberation of enslaved people in Texas in 1865, and World Sickle Cell Day, established by the United Nations in 2008, both fall on June 19th – a powerful intersection of history and health. Together, they serve as a reminder of the unique struggles Black Americans face and the progress still needed in areas like healthcare equity.

Houston, home to the world’s largest medical center, still sees sickle cell warriors struggle to access consistent, quality care. This event addresses that gap with a mix of education, health screenings, blood donation opportunities, and the latest updates on therapeutics and clinical trials.

SOFT LAUNCH OF ECON

HEALTH

CONNECT:

BRIDGING HEALTH & FINANCIAL FREEDOM

New this year is the soft launch of ECON HEALTH CONNECT – an innovative As One Foundation initiative focused on bridging financial stability and healthcare access. Through workshops and expert-led discussions, attendees will learn strategies for financial literacy that empower them to navigate the healthcare system and gain access to life-changing treatments.

This groundbreaking effort aims to uplift sickle cell families and underserved communities through actionable knowledge and economic empowerment.

JOIN THE MOVEMENT – BE A SPONSOR, BE A PARTNER

By becoming a sponsor, your organization can play a direct role in addressing healthcare disparities and supporting the empowerment of families impacted by sickle cell. Sponsorship levels range from $2,500 to $20,000, with benefits including brand visibility, speaking opportunities, and

community engagement. Your support helps deliver yearround resources, financial literacy education, and awareness campaigns that drive systemic change.

FAMILY, FUN, AND ADVOCACY –TOGETHER AS ONE

Whether you're living with sickle cell, caring for someone who is, or simply want to honor Juneteenth meaningfully, this event offers something for everyone:

• Therapeutic Education & Clinical Trial Info

• Kid Zone & Family Activities

• Door Prizes & Gifts for Adults

• Food, Music, and Cultural Vibes

• Blood Drive & Marrow Registry Opportunities

• Community Resources & Health Screenings

Community partners include the Sickle Cell Community Consortium, Black Heritage Society, Houston Health Department, Houston Sickle Cell Collaborative, Chris “CJ” Johnson Foundation, Potter’s Smile, Sickle Cell Research & Support Foundation, and Supporting Our Sickle Cell Survivors (SOS) Parent & Guardian Support Group.

RSVP TODAY

Make plans to attend and bring the whole family! Saturday, June 21, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Acres Home Multi-Service Center 6719 W Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77091

ELEV8 HEALTH & THE 2025 HOUSTON THRIVE TOUR ADDRESS MATERNAL MORTALITY

By Kayla Adams News Provider

Elev8 Health, Inc. made a stop in Houston on April 19 as part of its 2025 THRIVE Maternal Health Tour and Community Baby Showers. The event, in partnership with Harris County Public Health and Walmart, as part of the Maternal Child Health Conference, was hosted at Finnigan Park Community Center Gym and provided an opportunity for families and expecting parents to access mental health professionals, medical providers, birthing workers, and more. The event was free and open to the public.

The THRIVE Tour is Elev8 Health's dynamic, community-centered initiative dedicated to improving maternal health outcomes, particularly among African American and American Indian/Alaska Native women— communities disproportionately affected by high maternal mortality and morbidity rates. The THRIVE Tour is led by Dr. Que English, president and chief executive officer, Elev8 Health, Inc.

According to the CDC, Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. However, over 80% of these deaths were determined to be preventable. Recognizing the early warning signs, getting an accurate and timely diagnosis, and having access to quality care can save lives. Additionally, a recent study found that, overall, maternal mortality increased from 25.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018 to 32.6 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 — an age-adjusted increase of about 27%, calling the issue “an urgent public health priority.”

The researchers found that cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mental disorders were leading causes of late maternal deaths. The new study also provides more detail regarding state-level mortality and reaffirmed the prevalence of inequities by race. Rates of maternal mortality were 3.8 times higher in American Indian and Alaska Native women when compared to white women, and rates in Black women were 2.8 times higher.

Take on New Hobbies in Retirement

By d-mars.com

Retirement should be relaxing, not boring. In fact, taking on new hobbies can keep your mind sharp and body vital as you age. Here are five ways to stay active in your golden years:

JOIN A GYM

Joining a gym is one of the easiest ways to ensure you perform a mix of strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Doing both will help keep your bones and muscles strong and your heart and lungs fully functional. Don’t forget to add in yoga and stretching to promote balance and agility. If a gym is out of reach, see what other nearby opportu-

nities are available for working up a sweat. Many towns and cities offer free and budget-friendly, community-based exercise programming.

2. PLAY MUSIC

There are numerous cognitive and emotional benefits associated with playing music. Whether you’re a beginner just looking to pick up the basics or a seasoned musician with the hopes of performing in public, you can equip yourself to sound amazing with a high-quality instrument.

3. START A BOOK CLUB

It’s always more fun to read books when you can discuss them with friends. From tackling the classics, to diving into non-fiction works that will challenge your perspective, to enjoying some easy, breezy beach reads, it’s important that the other members of the group have the same reading goals as you. So do a little leg work in advance to ensure everyone is on the same page.

50 or Older?

P4.

NUMBER CRUNCH

You don’t have to be in school to take up math as a hobby. There are plenty of recreational mathematicians of all ages who enjoy crunching numbers to work puzzles, compete in games, and uncover patterns in the real world.

LEARN A LANGUAGE

Learning a new language not only creates new neural pathways in the brain, it can be just the motivational ticket you need to finally visit that bucket list destination you’ve been dreaming of. While formal lessons are great, you can help ensure your skills truly progress through conversation. Lean on services like Tandem to connect with a language partner. By taking on new hobbies and expanding your interests, you can carve out a retirement that is active, adventurous and good for your body, mind and soul.

Source: StatePoint (Edited by d-mars.com)

The Pneumococcal Pneumonia Vaccine is Recommended for You

By d-mars.com News Provider

neumococcal pneumonia is a potentially serious bacterial lung disease that can disrupt your life for weeks and even land you in the hospital. Medical experts want you to know that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of serious illness.

An important step is getting pneumococcal vaccination if it’s recommended for you. This vaccine helps protect against pneumococcal disease, including, pneumococcal pneumonia, bloodstream infection (bacteremia), and infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

In October 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its adult immunization schedules and now recommends pneumococcal vaccination for all adults 50 or older, even if you are healthy. The CDC maintains its recommendation of vaccination for adults 19-49 with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma, COPD, chronic heart disease, and diabetes.

“The immune system naturally weakens with age, so even if you’re healthy and active, being older puts you at greater risk of severe illness from pneumococcal pneumonia. The CDC’s updated guidelines are intended to keep more people healthy and safe,” says Albert A. Rizzo, MD, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association.

The American Lung Association maintains an ongoing educational program about pneumococcal pneumonia with Pfizer. As part of the program, they are sharing these fast facts:

• Anyone can get pneumococcal pneumonia and, unfortunately, it is a disease you can have more than one time. Certain populations are at higher risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and death. You can use American Lung Association resources to help you determine your risk.

• The symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or rapid breathing, and these symptoms can appear suddenly and without warning.

• Having the flu increases the likelihood of developing pneumonia, including pneumococcal pneumonia. You can reduce this risk by getting a flu shot every year to help prevent seasonal influenza. In addition, those at risk for pneumococcal disease can get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider about pneumococcal vaccination today.

For more information about pneumococcal pneumonia risk factors, symptoms and prevention, visit Lung.org/pneumococcal.

Thanks to the CDC’s recommendations, more Americans can take the step of vaccinating against pneumococcal pneumonia and reducing their risk of severe illness.

Source: StatePoint (Edited by d-mars.com)

WORSHIP WITH US!

THERE'S A PLACE FOR YOU AT THE ROCK CHURCH!

Why The R.O.C.K.?

At The ROCK Church, we’re passionate about transforming lives through the Kingdom message! Join us for dynamic worship, powerful teaching, and a community that feels like family. Come as you are – there’s a place for you here!

Transformational Kingdom Teaching