Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) is joining forces with the American Diabetes Association’s African American Initiatives — known as Live EMPOWERED — to stop diabetes in the African American Community. The collaboration is driven by the reality that African Americans are greatly affected by diabetes; they are 1.8 times more likely to have type 2 diabetes than non-Latino whites.

To combat this epidemic, beginning in the spring of 2011, the AKAs will designate 10 undergraduate chapters at Historically Black Colleges and Universities to lead diabetes workshops and activities. Through this initiative, the Sorority hopes to spread the message about how to prevent diabetes and provide tools to assist those with diabetes to live a productive life with this disease. In announcing the partnership, AKA’s newly installed international president Attorney Carolyn House Stewart stated, “Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s goal is to help our community recognize the risks of this disease, its many complications and treatment options. We will host forums that will heighten awareness and offer prevention strategies to help eliminate this deadly disease that shortens lives and impacts the quality of life of many African Americans of all ages.”

AKA and the American Diabetes Association share common priorities and interests in reaching African Americans, students and other key constituents with important awareness messaging relating to diabetes, including risk factors, prevention strategies, warning signs, and management of the disease.

Both organizations have unique competencies to address these issues and believe that there will be a greater opportunity to promote mutual goals through multiple communications channels. This collaboration is especially significant, because African-American women are at a greater risk for the number one complication of diabetes: heart disease.

“By getting this powerful group of women to join us in our movement to Stop Diabetes, we have the potential to change many lives and communities,” said Earnestine Walker, Director of Community Outreach at the American Diabetes Association.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority:
Founded in 1908, on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC, Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women. AKA’s membership is comprised of 260,000 distinguished women in graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States and abroad who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and who are involved in the global community through advocacy and service. Attorney Carolyn House Stewart is the 28th International President and will serve from 2010 – 2014. Her administration’s theme is “Global Leadership Through Timeless Service.”

About the American Diabetes Association:
The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to stop diabetes and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, our mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit www.diabetes.org. Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

The Orangeburg Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. has continued to fulfill its historic service creed by tackling adult and childhood obesity with a community-wide weight-loss initiative.

Since January, the sorority has engaged individuals in Orangeburg and Calhoun counties in a weight-loss challenge that culminated with a final weigh-in March 25 at the Orangeburg Area Development Center.

First-, second- and third-place awards were given to the adult who lost the most weight and to those who had lost the most inches from their waists. Adults were able to get their children involved, as well, with all of them receiving awards for participating in working to make their lifestyles healthier.

“Delta Sigma Theta has done healthy lifestyle challenges, but what we wanted to do was make children a part of what we were doing,” said Tara Mack, chairwoman of the sorority’s wellness committee. “I think the youngest child we have is 6 years old, and the oldest is about 12 years old. We wanted to emphasize and look at child obesity because it’s a large problem happening all over America, especially in rural communities.

“We started with a January kickoff, and at that time, we had vendors to come out and provide information to the participants wanting to sign up. By signing up, they did the initial weigh-in and got their (body mass index) and waist measurements taken. We had the Regional Medical Center doing screenings, including blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and a few others out at the Orangeburg Area Development Center.”

Nutrition and exercise classes were also held. Carl Dickson, owner of New Image Personal Training and Fitness Center in Orangeburg, said he explained several tenets of healthy living, including how to balance meals and get in the right amount of daily exercise.

“I did explain about eating at least three meals and two snacks a day. Snacks in between meals prevents you from being so hungry when it’s time for meals. It also helps you to reach the calories that you need,” said Dickson, who urged attendees to choose low-fat as opposed to fried foods.

“You can eat fried food, just not as much, maybe once or twice a month,” he said. “Definitely increase the amount of vegetables and fruits that are eaten. It helps to give a person more fiber, which makes you more regular and makes your digestive system work a whole lot better.”

Dickson also stressed drinking more water and less tea and sugary sodas, as well as working out at least four days a week for 45 minutes to an hour.

“You can do cardio for at least 20 minutes with resistance training. I talked to them about working out, but not working out just to lose weight. Even at your desired weight, you need to exercise to stay healthy. When you stop, you get back to the same place you were,” Dickson said. “Look at the overall picture. Proper diet along with proper exercise is going to give you proper health. There’s no doubt about that. I got a really good response. The crowd was very receptive.”

Orangeburg resident Marsha Shields, 36, and her 12-year-old son, Naquan, were among the participants who have learned to change their eating and exercise habits. Shields said she has also changed her cooking habits.

“I used to add sugar to everything. I just had fried foods and cooked a lot of processed and frozen foods,” Shields said. “I’m cooking using more fresh vegetables. I used to cook late at night, too, and drank juice and soda. I don’t buy juice or soda anymore, but water and Crystal Light.

“There are no chips, no cookies — all we have is fruit. Instead of buying ice cream, I buy yogurt,” added Shields, whose son tipped the scales at 220 pounds at his heaviest.

Naquan, who is now down to 208 pounds, said he used to eat a lot of “sweets” and other high-calorie foods filled with sugar and salt.

“I learned how to eat right and exercise more. I learned that it helps the body,” said Naquan, who is also riding his bike, playing basketball and working out with his mother.

“I can’t play basketball well, but we play together,” Shields said. “His weight is coming off and so is mine. He really looks at everything he eats. We’re still going to keep up a lot of the things that we’ve learned. I try to make it something for the whole family, my husband included. I don’t single Naquan out.”

Mack said the program was launched not to emphasize pounds, but prevention, especially for children.

“We just wanted to offer them that chance and engage them in exercise and doing something,” she said.

Rosemary Hickman is president of the Orangeburg Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

“This is the second year that we have sponsored this particular program. We have focused on wellness in our chapter for several years now because it’s part of our national initiative on healthy lifestyles. This year we’re targeting the family and the children in an effort to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of lifestyle changes,” Hickman said.

“Diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure — all those illnesses are directly tied to obesity. If we can make a dent in that or make an impact on just one person’s life, then I think we could consider that the program has been successful.”

The members of Bowie/Mitchellville (MD) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated are celebrating six years of existence and services rendered to supporting programs of community service, social welfare and scholastic achievement. The chapter will be holding a walk-a-thon, as a fundraiser, and will be donating all proceeds from the walk-a-thon to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Power To End Stroke” campaign.

The walk-a-thon will be held at the Glenn Dale Community Center, located at 11901 Glenn Dale Blvd, Glenn Dale, MD 20769 on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and the walk commences at 9:00 a.m. Registration is just $25 for adults (ages 26 and up) and $15 for youth (ages 25 and under). To register online, go tohttp://bmackapsi.dojiggy.com by April 29th.

This community service project is simply about community outreach and giving back in a beneficial and productive manner on behalf of the fraternity. Also, the fraternity is dedicated to recognizing the exemplary deeds of other notable organizations who share the same common cause and purpose. PTES was created in 2006 by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association to help reach the ASA mission to reduce stroke and risk of stroke by 25% by 2010. It was also meant to raise critical awareness within the African American population. Heart disease and stroke are major health risks for all people, but African Americans are at particularly high risk.

The Bowie/Mitchellville (MD) Alumni Chapter is taking a proactive stance on this health issue in Prince George’s county, recognizing the following must be confronted head on to benefit mankind: (1) Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 causes of death for blacks; (2) Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) diseases claim the lives of over 96,000 blacks each year. In fact, they account for 33 percent of all deaths among blacks in the United States; and (3) Risk factors such as high blood pressure tend to develop much earlier in life and be much more severe in blacks. The prevalence of high blood pressure in African Americans in the United States is the highest in the world.

Brother Steven Kniffley, Phi Beta Sigma’s immediate past International Second Vice President was recently one of three people in the United States accepted into the Senegal Global Mental Health Practicum. Bro. Kniffley will spend four weeks in the impoverished region of Saraya, Senegal working as a therapist at their community health center.

In addition, the West Louisville Health Coalition, Inc., a non profit organization co-founded by Kniffley, was recently awarded a $15,000 grant to hold their annual Youth Empowerment Leadership Conference. The conference is geared towards inner city African American youth with the mission of training tomorrow’s servant leaders.

Bro. Kniffley has been invited by the Louisville Defender, a major African American owned newspaper in the state of Kentucky, to serve as a columnist writing social commentary on issues affecting the African American community.

Kniffley was recently appointed to serve on the staff of the Sigma International Leadership Academy. He will be one of the first members featured in the SILA’s upcoming Sigma is Leadership – a series that feature Sigma Emerging Community Leaders.

Bro. Kniffley was initiated in Spring 2005 at Beta Beta Xi Chapter of Metropolitan Louisville, KY. He is currently the first vice president of Epsilon Beta Sigma Chapter, also in Louisville.

For the first time in history, West Chester University will be having an official HIV testing day. WCU Rapid HIV Testing Day is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31 from 10:00-3:00 p.m. in the Sykes Student Union parking lot. The event is sponsored by West Chester University, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Mazzoni Center. Several student organizations have jumped on board to show their support for this event. These organizations include: VOX, The Women’s Center Club, Black Student Union, Sykes Union Advisory Board, Active Minds, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Honors Student Association, Health and Physical Education Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Chi Upsilon Sigma Latin Sorority, Inc., LASO, the Peer Educators and several other organizations.

HIV is an acronym for the “human immunodeficiency virus.” It can be spread in a variety of ways including through breast milk, blood, semen and vaginal fluids. Heterosexual intercourse is the most common infection route worldwide. Getting tested is the only way to know for sure whether you have been infected with HIV. In addition, it is common for people to go long periods of time without experiencing symptoms secondary to the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 21% of the HIV-infected persons in the United States do not know that they are infected.

Through collaboration with one of the most experienced HIV testing centers in our region, the WCU Health and Wellness Center was able to organize this event to provide FREE and CONFIDENTIAL testing for ALL WCU students. There is no need to make an appointment; just show up between 10:00 and 3:00 p.m. on March 31.

You will know your status within 20 minutes after a quick and safe finger prick by some of the best health care professionals in the area. If you do not wish to stay at the mobile testing unit while waiting for results, you can come back any point up until 3:00 p.m. You can even get your results after March 31st, but then you are responsible for getting to the Mazzoni Center in Philadelphia to receive them. All results will be kept on file with the Mazzoni Center for 30 days.

Counseling and resources will be available for everyone who decides to get tested. The WCU Health and Wellness Center staff will be on site with free food, drinks and activities while you wait for your results.

The WCU Health and Wellness Center hopes that you will take advantage of this free opportunity to take the test and take control at the WCU HIV Testing Day. For more information, please contact Alicia Hahn, Assistant Coordinator of Wellness Programs, ahahn@wcupa.edu.

When it comes to stroke and heart disease, knowing the enemy can mean the difference between life and death.

And knowing that alone was enough to prompt several local groups to participate in the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women Program.

According to the Heart Association’s Web site, Go Red For Women’s short-term goal is  a 25 percent reduction in coronary heart disease and stroke risk by the year 2010.

“As we work toward that goal, we’re working hard to change the perception that heart disease is a ‘man’s disease,’ and it’s working!”  the site says. “By teaching more and more women how to talk to their doctors about heart disease, we can save thousands of lives every year.”

In Tuskegee, Epsilon Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority sponsored the Go Red For Women program, held February 27 at Greater St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church.

Epsilon held the event in conjunction with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Black Belt Medical Reserve, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Greater St. Mark, Phi Delta Kappa Education Sorority, Tuskegee American Heart Association, Tuskegee Links, Inc. and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority

The groups sponsored the Go Red program to highlight factors that contribute to heart disease and stroke in black women.

The program provided women with information on factors including high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, poor diet and physical inactivity. Screenings were done for cholesterol levels, blood glucose level and blood pressure.

The Pompano Beach Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will hold its annual Teen Health Summit on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at the North Regional/Broward College Library in Coconut Creek. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the library’s auditorium.

The purpose of the event is to provide students ages 12 and up with opportunities to increase their health awareness and knowledge, in addition to developing various life skills, which will ultimately lead to a healthier lifestyle. Several community organizations and professionals will be on hand to provide free information and material on a variety of health topics in an informative yet entertaining and engaging manner. Attendees will also earn six community service hours for their participation.

While the event is free and open to the public, pre-registration is required to secure a spot and to ensure a lunchtime meal. Those interested may contact Sonya Young at (954) 629-3867 or Rosmei Sperando, Teen Services Librarian at (954) 201-2626. The registration form may also be downloaded by visiting http://new.schoolnotes.com/sonyayoung.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world.

The Community Aids Resource and Education Services center in Kalamazoo held a symbolic public HIV testing event Friday afternoon to encourage residents, especially those in the black community, to get tested.

The event was held in association with the graduate chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Participating were members of various historically African-American college-based sisterhoods.

Ondraya Dixon, 34, a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, and Danielle Royster, 39, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, tried to show how easy getting tested is.

“I think when they see people they know at church and people they see at the grocery store getting tested, some of the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS testing in the black community will start to disappear,” said Zenda Thompson, president of the alumni chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho.

Dixon said she jumped at the opportunity to participate after being shocked by statistics that showed the lack of testing in the black community.

“When I first saw the numbers about the black community, they were staggering,” Dixon said. “People seem to have a fear of knowing. They just want to live life to the fullest, when they can be impacted even if they’re being careful.”

Blacks make up only 13 percent of the population nationally but account for 49 percent of HIV/Aids cases. In Kalamazoo the discrepancy is even wider — blacks make up 14 percent of the population and account for 59 percent of HIV/AIDS cases.

Thompson, and Jon Delatorre, HIV/AIDS specialist for CARES cochaired the event.

“I met Jon last summer through our  Write A story Love Safe program,” Thompson said. “Jon said he wished he had us as a contact during last year’s black awareness campaign. It’s tough to reach that demographic when you don’t have anyone representing it.”

Delatorre and Thompson, with each other’s help have worked together with the sororities to produce a number of Youtube videos. The one-minute videos are aimed at educating the disproportionately affected black community about HIV/AIDS.

“This is the year we finally decided to make a big push in social media,” Delatorre said. “We’re hoping to reach more people through more outlets than before.”

Thompson agrees, but stresses the earlier someone is educated about the effects of HIV/AIDS and the measures of prevention that are available, the better the results will be.

“When people ask me what will work best I always bring it back to the children,” Thompson said. “Even if it is only my own two that I talk to, they will talk to others. And they will talk to more.”

Before the snowstorm covered Towson’s campus, sisters from the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority took the time to celebrate National Wear Red Day.

Members of the Mu Mu Citywide chapter held games and gave out prizes in the Union for passing students to enjoy and they promoted healthy hearts and gave out heart health prevention information.

The bulk of the event was to gather supporters for the Go Red for Women Campaign.

According to the Go Red for Women national Web site, the color red now stands for the ability all women have to improve their heart health and live stronger, longer lives.

“Go Red For Women celebrates the energy, passion and power we have as women to band together to wipe out heart disease and stroke,” the Web site said.