AEDs cost about $1,500 each, and the donation allows CMS to place a device in each elementary school that does not currently have one. Grants and donations from multiple organizations already have provided at least one AED at each CMS middle school, high school and some elementary schools.

The Lucky Hearts Campaign is a strategic partnership between MEDIC EMS (Mecklenburg EMS Agency,) which serves a 542-square mile area that includes rapidly expanding Charlotte, and the Mecklenburg Medical Alliance and Endowment (MMAE), a non-profit organization formed by a group of physicians’ spouses more than 75 years ago. The Campaign is working to place AEDs in the hands of organizations and businesses across Mecklenburg County, and raise awareness of the importance of using the AED at the first sign of cardiac arrest.
 
According to Medic, when an AED is used to treat a person suffering from cardiac arrest, they have a better chance of survival and recovery. Just five to seven minutes of cardiac arrest can be fatal. The sooner the device is applied, the better the outcome.
 

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Rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders may complete the necessary forms, including a medical history, by visiting www.heartofachampionday.org. Registration will close at midnight or May 27 or when enrollment reaches 2,000 students, whichever comes first. The screenings will take place at the Carolinas College of Health Sciences on CMC’s campus, 1200 Blythe Boulevard.

The fourth annual event is a partnership between CMS and Levine Children’s Hospital, Carolinas Medical Center (CMC), CMC Sports Medicine, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and OrthoCarolina.

During Heart of a Champion Day, students will receive a free general sports screening, musculoskeletal check and a vision examination. The screenings are unique because they also include an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram to check for heart conditions that could potentially cause sudden death during athletic competition. Neither of these heart tests is part of a routine athletic screening and does not eliminate the risk.

In 2010, more than 2,000 students were screened. Conditions discovered through the initiative included a number of heart irregularities, elevated blood pressure, post-concussion syndrome, uncontrolled asthma, overuse injuries, and vision problems.
Sanger, eCardio and McKesson are financially supporting the CMS screening. Heart of a Champion Day will be staffed by more than 400 volunteer doctors, clinicians, nurses and other community members. It is believed to be the largest, most comprehensive screening of its kind in the region.

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“Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death,” State Health Director Dr. Jeff Engel said in a press release.

The N.C. Division of Public Health is reminding parents to vaccinate their teens and pre-teens as well as their infants and young children.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools requires a dose of Tdap vaccine for all students entering sixth grade to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), the instances of which have increased among the state’s pre-teen students. Children who have had a tetanus shot within the past five years may be exempt from the requirement.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends that older children receive vaccinations against meningitis, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis A and influenza (flu), as well as booster shot of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine.

“Parents should start thinking about immunizations now, so students will be protected when they start the new school year,” Dr. Engel said.

Students entering kindergarten and sixth grade must provide proof of immunizations on the first day of school, Aug. 25. Kindergarten students also need to show proof of a current health assessment or physical exam. Failure to provide required documents may lead to exclusion from school.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reports that more than 23,000 CMS students need back to school shots and encourages parents to plan ahead and make an appointment now with their child’s doctor for immunizations.

The Mecklenburg County Health Department also provides immunizations. Due to changes in the Vaccine for Children (VCF) funding, a fee may apply.  Be sure to bring your student’s vaccination record and insurance information. The Mecklenburg County Health Department hours are listed below.

Northwest Campus, 2845 Beatties Ford Rd
Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Southeast Campus, 249 Billingsley Rd
Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To make an appointment, call the appointment line at 704-336-6500.

Immunization requirements and information are listed on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools website, www.cms.k12.nc.us, or www.immunizenc.org.

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A flash mob is when a large group assembles in a public place to perform a dance routine to a song. Bradley Middle students will lead the flash mob to the song “Take Your Health Into Your Own Hands” during the launch of “Charlotte, Get Your Move On!” held at UNC Charlotte June 2. The song was created by CMS educators Mark Propst, Becky Graf, Darla Barker and Kim Golden to support the district’s initiative to fight obesity.

The goal of the flash mob is to get everyone in Charlotte to stop what they are doing on June 2 at 6:45 p.m. to perform the choreographed dance to the song. CMS has uploaded a video of the dance and song on You Tube so others can learn it.

“We want everyone to join us at the flash mob because it’s something that everyone can do and it has an important message about eating right and exercising,” said Mariyah Matthews, an eighth-grade student at Bradley Middle School.

As part of the Charlotte, Get Your Move On! initiative, all CMS eighth-graders are reading “The Fat Boy Chronicles.” Inspired by a true story, the book reveals the emotionally painful world obese teens experience in the face of a thin-obsessed society.

“The book focuses on a lot of issues that our students deal with on daily basis,” said Debra Kaclik, Director of Arts, Health & Physical Education, and PreK-12 Curriculum Support Programs. “It sends an important message for kids to get active and learn how to avoid unhealthy foods.”

The book’s movie premiere will also take place at the launch of Charlotte, Get Your Move On where the book’s authors and the movie director and actors will be in attendance. Other events scheduled for the launch include school visits by the authors, movie director and actors, a reception with UNC Charlotte Chancellor Philip L. Dubois, a book signing, and Q and A with the authors, director and actors.

Click here for more information on the event or call 704-687-4949.

Charlotte, Get Your Move On! is the result of a collaboration between the CMS Arts, Health and Physical Education Departments, Family and Community Services/Parent University, Teen Health Connection, a community health partner with Levine Children’s Hospital, UNC Charlotte, and publisher Sleeping Bear Press.

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