Staff, volunteers, and community members gathered to celebrate the item donations and explain the importance of this collaboration. There was even an online shoutout by the Bombas sock company afterwards!
Facebook post courtesy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office
Get involved!
The In It Together Volunteer Group is looking for newly purchased gifts to distribute to local seniors during the holiday season. The program runs October 1 to December 1.
Items can be dropped off at the front of the Shrewsbury Senior Center, located at 98 Maple Ave. There are designated bins for items. Remember, all items must be new with tags on.
They are looking for:
holiday cards (handmade or bought)
non-skid socks
sugar-free candy
diet and regular ginger ale
adult coloring books
colored pencils
granola bars
cookies
cereal
peanut butter
crackers
Spam
large print crosswords
word search books
lotion
deodorant
toothbrushes and toothpaste
soap
coin purse
flashlight
stuffed animal
water
blankets
mittens
combs and brushes
toilet paper
paper towels
tissues
hand sanitizer
masks
Questions? Email Paula at inittogether01545@gmail.com
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is observed
every September in the United States by health experts and
advocates, and individuals concerned with men’s prostate health.
Designating a month for the disease serves the purpose of
increasing public awareness of the importance of prostate health
and screenings, educating about risk factors and symptoms, and
advocating for further research on prostate health issues.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors associated with prostate cancer,
including family history, race, and diet, but the most common
factor is age. Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men. About
six in ten cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is
rare before age 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is
about 66.
Who is most at risk at being diagnosed?
The average age of a prostate cancer diagnosis is 66, according to
the ACS, and it’s rare to be diagnosed with prostate cancer before
the age of 40. This is why testing isn’t usually suggested until you
are at least 45.
The men most affected by prostate cancer are older than 50. Your
chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer increases with
age, too. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the
following is a list of a man’s chances of developing prostate cancer
at different age ranges: Before 50: 1 in 403
Between 50 and 59: 1 in 58
Between 60 and 69: 1 in 21
Between 70 and 79: 1 in 14
The chances of being diagnosed with the disease continue to rise
after 80.
Prostate Cancer Prevention
As we’ve seen with high diagnosis rates in men in their 80s and
90s, prostate cancer is almost inevitable if you live long enough.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take all the steps we can to try
and prevent the cancer cells from triggering and metastasizing.
Here are some steps you can take that may help push back
a diagnosis: Healthy Diet:
Eating certain foods like vegetables, fruits, and fish (which is high
in omega-3 fatty acids, which are good fats) is recommended
because it takes away from eating fatty foods, like pork, fried food,
and cheese, which play a role in weight gain. People with higher
body mass indexes (above 30) have been shown to have an
increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Exercise:
Related to healthy food helping maintain weight, exercising can be
beneficial in terms of maintaining a healthy BMI. An increase in
exercise, paired with a healthier diet, can help you drop weight
quickly and get to proper BMI levels.
Reduce stress:
Stress has been shown to aid the progression of active cancer cells
in your prostate. It also negatively affects your immune system,
which is constantly fighting cancer cells when they’re present.
These preventative steps are also recommended for other types of
cancers and diseases. While they may not explicitly reduce your
risk of getting prostate cancer, following these steps won’t
increase your chances of developing the disease.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding a prostate cancer
diagnosis—or think you may have the disease—contact your
doctor immediately.
A Note From the Sutton Senior Center/Sutton Food Pantry
It’s important for senior citizens to know and trust anyone they accept assistance from during this difficult time. People with wonderful intentions are offering to volunteer and assist others with shopping and other errands. Unfortunately, scammers often prey on people during their most vulnerable times. Coronavirus-related scams targeting the elderly have been reported throughout the country. Some scammers claim to be from medical organizations with a COVID-19 vaccination and require over-the-phone payments to reserve a dose. Currently, there is no vaccine for the virus. Do not click on pop-ups or links from any sources you don’t recognize. Additionally, avoid charity scams or investment schemes involving research.
As the Director of your Senior Center, I’m looking out for your safety by urging you to not accept help from anyone you don’t know. Local volunteers, not associated with the Senior Center, are offering to assist with banking, shopping, prescription pick-ups and in-home assistance.
DO NOT provide your banking or prescription information to anyone you don’t personally know, and don’t let them in your home. If you’re approached by such a volunteer, politely say “thank you for thinking of me, however, the Sutton Senior Center has provided assistance for those of us in need.”
All Sutton Senior Center volunteers are CORI checked and provide credible references. If you’re concerned about a local senior, are a senior in need, or would like to volunteer, please call us at 508-234-0703. The building is closed to the public but our services remain available.
