Grants help children
in need of critical care
UnitedHealthCare Children’s Foundation is offering grants to help children who need critical care, services or equipment but are not covered or not fully covered by parents’ health insurance.
The foundation provides grants to families to help pay for such things as physical therapy, prescriptions, wheelchairs and eyeglasses.
Parents or guardians may apply for grants of up to $5,000 by completing an online application at www.uhccf.org.
Children 16 and younger are eligible for the grants, and families must meet economic guidelines to apply. Families must live in the United States and be covered by a commercial health benefit plan.
Tax-deductible donations also can be made online.
Walk benefits local chapter of multiple sclerosis society
The Colorado Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society is holding 11 fundraising walks across the state this May.
The local walk to benefit the chapter will be at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 655 Struthers Ave.
Registration is at 8 a.m. The walk begins at 9 a.m. Walkers can choose to walk 1.5-mile or 3-mile loops.
A Village Inn pancake breakfast will be offered, and the Fruitvale Lions Club will run the event. Dip n’ Dots certificates will be given to all walk participants. Food and entertainment will also be provided.
Team members or individuals need to collect pledges for the walk. The funds will go toward supporting programs and services for the thousands of Coloradans living with MS.
There is no registration fee. To register, visit www.walkMSColorado.org or call 241-8975 or 1-800-371-2667.
The Western Slope offices of the chapter serve 21 counties. They offer educational programs, information, referrals, a library, equipment, a free monthly medical clinic and monthly support groups.
Breathe easier with these tips for clean indoor air
The Mesa County Indoor Air Quality Program wants people to be mindful of air quality with the arrival of spring.
Air pollution in the home can be as much as five times higher than outdoor levels, according to the Mesa County Health Department. The Environmental Protection Agency ranks poor indoor air quality as one of its top five risks to public health.
Indoor air contaminants include smoke, radon, carbon monoxide and mold.
Here are tips to improving air quality indoors:
• Don’t smoke indoors.
• Reduce or remove triggers for asthma or allergies such as dust mites.
• Change and maintain air filters.
• Use air conditioners and de-humidifiers to control moisture.
• Leave a window open when spring cleaning.
For more information on these and other indoor air concerns, visit www.health.mesacounty.us
