Kidney Disease

tarar@herald-mail.com The number of people seeking flu shots this year is down by half when compared to last year, prompting the Washington County Health Department to add another immunization clinic for early December. Health Officer William Christoffel said this week about 3,500 people got flu shots provided by the department this year, down from the 7,000 who got them last year. The department purchased 8,000 doses for this year. The department has held five flu and pneumonia immunization clinics in Washington County already, and a sixth was added for Tuesday at the Elks Club Lodge 378 at 11603 Robinwood Drive from 3 to 7 p.m. Christoffel said he didn't know why fewer people have sought the shots this year, but he said some could have been immunized elsewhere.

From staff reports When two Washington County church youth groups learned of the plight of a local youngster with a rare kidney disease, they decided to do something about it. Members of the Hagerstown Presbyterian Church Sunday Night Live group and the First Baptist Church youth group have pooled their resources to organize a pork and sauerkraut dinner on Dec. 7. The dinner will be at the Presbyterian Church from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are...

Last week, we discussed the possible benefits of using "superfood" supplements. This week, I want to talk with you about another supplement that might be of use to you in your fitness quest. As you should know by now, building and keeping lean muscle mass is a key part of fitness and health. Amino acids are a part of the foundation of building lean muscle. Branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs for short, account for one-third of the skeletal muscle in our bodies. BCAAs are essential for many functions including preventing muscle protein breakdown during exercise.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff writer, Waynesboro WAYNESBORO, Pa. - When Pearl Sherrah died Saturday night, her survivors included three biological children and one foster son, State Sen. Terry Punt, R-Pa., of Waynesboro. Sherrah, who suffered from kidney disease, died in the emergency room at Washington County Hospital. She lived most of her married life on Phillips Avenue in Waynesboro's west end with her husband, Raymond E. Sherrah, who died in 1981, her two sons, David and Kenneth, and her daughter Donna.

Research shows that eating less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium (about 1 teaspoon of salt) per day may reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Hypertension or high blood pressure is sometimes called the "silent killer" because people can't feel high blood pressure. Although there are some signs or symptoms of hypertension, they are easily overlooked. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that Americans reduce their daily sodium consumption to less than 2,300 milligrams.

Mail Call for 8/31 "Congratulations to the responsible landlord, Mr. Smith, who is helping to improve the city of Hagerstown by reporting code violations. To all the renters who are walking up unsafe steps or have unsafe conditions or filthy conditions in their apartments, you can invite the city inspectors into your apartment and the landlord will be responsible to improve the unsafe conditions. " "Happy Birthday, Breezy. " "I am a senior living within the city limits and I am calling to say how much I appreciate these curbside pickups.

Keith Wayne Maletzky, of Hagerstown, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 6, 2011. He was 50 years old. Keith fought a 38-year battle with arthritis, diabetes, kidney and many other health problems. He was given a kidney by his sister in 1990 and had a second transplant of kidney and pancreas in 2000. He is the son of William (Bill) and Dolores Maletzky. He leaves a daughter, Jessica. Keith graduated from North Hagerstown High School in 1978. He was a student at the (then) Vocational Tech School in the refrigeration/air conditioning field.

By JULIE E. GREENE Staff Writer Lisa Jenkins was overwhelmed Saturday with the response from the community as an estimated 200 people attended a benefit dinner to raise funds for her 2-year-old daughter Brittany's medical bills. "I don't know what to say ... thank you is not enough," Jenkins said at the Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown at 20 S. Prospect St. "You never know, until you're in this position, what the community will do. " Brittany Jenkins has been on the national emergency transplant list awaiting a kidney for about seven weeks, said her mother.

Can you help make my child's dream come true? To the editor: I am writing on behalf of my 4-year-old daughter, Alexis Maryanne Fischer. On March 6, Alexis won first runner-up at the Sunburst Beauty Pageant at the Valley Mall. The director of the pageant is Pat Welsh. I am looking for someone or some group to sponsor Alexis' $95 program book fee or to purchase an ad in the program book. Ads range from $25 to $125. Alexis already has one sponsor - Fanfair Hair Stylists, which purchased a $25 ad. Alexis must have $150 or more in advertisements.

shappell@herald-mail.com The beginning of the 2003-04 flu season has been a rough one, based on the number of cases reported to the Washington County Health Department. A department spokesman said reported cases early in the season increased by more than 700 percent over the same period last year. But while increased cases of influenza appear to have affected bed availability at Washington County Hospital in recent weeks, school officials say attendance has not been hurt more than previous years.