When Kyle Troupe, a senior at Alexander Central High School in Taylorsville, was assigned a senior class project, his choice was easy. Kyle’s mother, a breast cancer survivor, inspired him to choose breast cancer as his project topic. His project included creation and completion of an event called Bowl for a Breast Cancer Cure. Through his recent project event held at Colonial Lanes in Hickory, Kyle raised $1,640. Funds were raised by the $20 entry fee, raffles and donations. A professional bowler, the senior said he chose this fundraiser because he loves the sport. Kyle donated the money to the NC Foothills Affiliate for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Up to 75% of the funds will remain in the affiliate area. Twenty-five percent will go to breast cancer research. In the photo, Kyle presented the proceeds from his event to Peggy Messick, NC Foothills Affiliate Board President.

In celebration of National Safe Kids Week recognized from April 27 to May 2, Safe Kids Catawba County Coalition will host an interactive safety fair on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Health First Center at Valley Hills Mall, Hickory. With a theme of “Raising Safe Kids: One Stage At a Time,” the celebration will offer fun ways for families to learn that close supervision, proper safety devices and other simple prevention measures help children avoid injury. The fair will include safety games, information, door prizes, snacks and displays by Catawba Valley Medical Center as well as area agencies involved in the Safe Kids Catawba County coalition. The event, free and designed for families and children of all ages, includes activities aimed toward kids ages 10 to 13. Music and entertainment will be provided by DJ Superfly.

Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) received high scores on a survey performed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in collaboration with Battelle Centers for Public Health Research and Evaluation, according to Adina Andreu, Registered Nurse, Masters of Science in Nursing Administration, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Executive Advanced - Board Certified and CVMC’s administrator for Center for Women & Children. The study, titled the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) Survey, was performed in 2007 and focused on breastfeeding rates and duration of breastfeeding among women in all hospitals and birthing centers throughout the nation. CVMC achieved a total score of 59 which compared favorably to all hospitals nationally (39 points); to nationwide hospitals of similar size (35 points); and to North Carolina hospitals (39 points).

Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) recently recognized Jamie Mecimore, Registered Nurse in the Birthing Center, as the April CARE employee.

Following are remarks offered by fellow employees in nominating Ms. Mecimore: “Jamie is mentioned at least once a month in the patient comments. She goes way out of her way to make our patients feel special and to give them a wonderful birthing experience. Jamie is calm, soft-spoken and always smiling. She is a true asset to the Birthing Center.” “As a member of the Birthing Center since 2007, Jamie always brings a ray of sunshine when she walks in the door. Jamie is a fine example of what a CARE employee should be.”