Freshstart Quit Smoking Program August 3, 2004 Catawba Valley Medical Center Offers One-Day Freshstart Quit Smoking Program

It is a scientific fact that quitting smoking does decrease the risk of smoking-related diseases and improve health. On Saturday, Aug. 14, Catawba Valley Medical Center's HealthFirst Center at Valley Hills Mall will offer a one-day, crash course in Freshstart, the American Cancer Society's quit smoking program. Designed for the adult smoker, the Freshstart program will be held from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. This no-charge program will be taught by Ellie Husvar and Peggy Messick, RN, certified smoking cessation instructors. Ms. Husvar is coordinator of the hospital's Seniority program and Ms. Messick is the coordinator of the Cancer Screening Program. Freshstart emphasizes that smoking is a two-part process of (1) stopping and (2) staying stopped. Quitting cold turkey, use of the nicotine patch, fighting urges to smoke, addressing physical symptoms of withdrawal from smoking and all of the benefits of not smoking are discussed. Freshstart will also give participants concrete ways to handle two major obstacles for many ex-smokers: weight control and stress management. Those participating will receive a Freshstart kit with materials to review, use at the meeting and at home. Preregistration is requested by Tuesday, August 10. For more information or to register, call the HealthFirst Center at 828-485-2300. The HealthFirst Center at Valley Hills Mall is a service of Catawba Valley Medical Center, a not-for-profit healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public. The Center serves as a convenient location for health education and wellness services. CVMC was designated in 2001as the thirty-second Magnet facility in the nation and the second in the Carolinas.