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Cherokee County testing athletes for concussions

Submitted by Donna Lowry, 11Alive Reporter
Wednesday, January 9th, 2013, 10:44am
Cherokee County testing athletes for concussions

WOODSTOCK, Ga. -- This week the U.S. government announced a probe into the rise in sports-related concussions in young people.

It comes amid concerns over the suicides and other tragedies involving professional athletes.

This school year, Cherokee County Schools has instituted a program used by the NCAA and professional sports teams called ImPACT, which stands for Immediate Post-concussive Assessment and Cognitive Testing.

It's sponsored by Northside Hospital-Cherokee, and it's a way to help doctors and coaches manage concussion cases.

Fifteen percent of all high school injuries involve concussions and a large portion of them are in kids that have already had a least one concussion.

"I've had one before. But nothing major," said Joey Payton, a wrestler and junior at Etowah High School. "It hurts your head; that's all I know."

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Hickory Flat ES receives donation from Northside Hospital

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Wednesday, October 10th, 2012, 9:42am
Hickory Flat ES receives donation from Northside Hospital

CANTON, Ga. -- Hickory Flat Elementary School recently received a special donation from Northside Hospital-Cherokee.

The hospital awarded the school with money to support its Math Superstar and Accelerated Reader student achievement programs. These programs give awards and prizes to high-achieving students.

Northside also provided the school with supplies for its clinic.

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16 Cherokee schools make SHAPE Honor Roll

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Thursday, September 13th, 2012, 9:38am
16 Cherokee schools make SHAPE Honor Roll

CANTON, Ga. -- Sixteen public schools in Cherokee County have been named to Governor Nathan Deal's first-ever SHAPE Honor Roll.

The SHAPE (Student Health and Physical Education) Honor Roll recognizes schools that make a commitment to fitness and nutrition for their students.

Only 5% of Georgia's public schools -- 112 elementary, middle and high schools -- made the cut. The awards are given at three levels: gold, silver and bronze.

Physical education teachers at the gold-winning schools will be honored during a pre-game ceremony at a future Atlanta Braves or Atlanta Falcons home game.

Cherokee County's SHAPE Honor Roll schools are:

Gold
Holly Springs ES STEM Academy
Mill Creek MS
River Ridge HS

Silver
Carmel ES
Free Home ES
Freedom MS
Hickory Flat ES
Indian Knoll ES
Johnston ES
Woodstock MS

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Protect Your Kids and Pets from Summer Heat

Submitted by traceychristensen on Saturday, June 23rd, 7:18 am
Protect Your Kids and Pets from Summer Heat

Summer in the south is officially here! With rising temperatures, it is important to take steps to protect those around us who might be vulnerable to the heat, like our children and pets.

Did you know that we lose heat by sweating? Water literally evaporates into the atmosphere and sucks the heat out of our bodies. Children produce even more heat than adults. This is because they have more body surface for their height. Children are also closer to the ground – and to hot pavement. They can easily become dehydrated or overheated.

Here are some tips to keep your children and pets safe in the heat.

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The ABCs of SPFs

Submitted by traceychristensen on Friday, June 22nd, 5:45 am
The ABCs of SPFs

ATLANTA -- Summer is officially here. Are you protecting your skin from the sun? Do you know what SPF (sun protection factor) to use? We spoke with Piedmont dermatologist Jodi Ganz, M.D., to find out what those SPF numbers really mean.

“The SPF number means it would take you that much longer to burn than you normally would without sunscreen,” says Dr. Ganz. “If it takes you 10 minutes to burn, then using an SPF5 means it would take you five times longer, or 50 minutes, to burn. An SPF10 means you could stay in the sun 10 times longer, or 100 minutes.”

But Dr. Ganz cautions that most sunscreens “break down” on average in two hours, meaning they lose their ability to protect you. So, you must reapply sunscreen every two hours.

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10 Ways to Prepare for an Emergency

Submitted by traceychristensen on Thursday, May 31st, 7:50 am
10 Ways to Prepare for an Emergency

The official start of the hurricane season is Friday. Whether it's severe weather, fire, a lengthy power outage, evacuation, would you know what to do in any type of emergency?

To stay safe in an emergency, it is crucial to have a solid communication plan in place for you and your family. Read more from HealthWatchMD, powered by Piedmont, for our top tips for communicating in an emergency.

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Belk raises $1M for Susan G. Komen

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012, 3:27pm
Belk raises $1M for Susan G. Komen

ATLANTA -- Belk, Inc. has raised more than $1 million for Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help win the fight against breast cancer.

The funds were raised through the company-wide "Pink is Our Passion" campaign held at the department stores in October.

"We want to thank our associates and customers for their generosity in supporting our breast cancer campaign, which has raised more than $2 million over the past two years for Susan G. Komen for the Cure," Tim Belk, chairman and CEO of Belk, Inc., said in a statement. "We're proud of our partnership with Komen and look forward to our continued efforts to raise more funds to fight this disease."

RELATED | 11Alive Buddy Check

Pink is Our Passion was part of a three-year movement to raise $3 million for Komen and its breast cancer initiatives.

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