If you didn't get a chance to view it, click here to view the letter I wrote last month on communicable diseases in the area.

Earlier this month, we were able to partner with the Genesee County Sheriff Department to shop with Lake Fenton families in need. Thank you to all who worked very hard to make this night a success!

World AIDS Awareness Month

Crohn's & Colitis Awareness Week

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month

It's that time of year again... winter. As the days get shorter and there is less daylight, you may start to feel sad. While many people experience the "winter blues," some people may have a type of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It is estimated that 20-40% of us Michiganders experience some degree of it. That puts Michigan in one of the top five states in the country for SAD. Women are more likely to experience it than men, and it can affect people of all ages. Symptoms include low mood, lack of energy, oversleeping, overeating, and difficulty concentrating. Activities that can combat mild symptoms of SAD include doing something you enjoy, going outside in the sunlight, spending time family/friends, and eating healthy.

If these activities do not help or symptoms are getting worse, talk to a health care provider.

How is SAD treated?

• Light therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Vitamin D supplements
• Antidepressant medication

988 is the three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.

Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Glaucoma Awareness Month

National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Thyroid Health Awareness Month

National Blood Donor Month

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL BLOOD DONOR MONTH

1. Donate

   Not just in honor of National Blood Donor Month, but in the simple spirit of providing the stuff of life to those who need it most. Donate now. Donate again in eight weeks. Repeat.

   
   

2. Inspire

   National Blood Donor Month can inspire people to donate. And those donations can in turn inspire others to donate, creating an exponential increase in blood donations when and where they're needed the most.

   
   

3. Learn and remember your blood type

   What's your blood type? Some examples: O positive donors are needed more often than other blood types. O negative donors are considered "universal donors." AB positive donors are "universal recipients."

Due to holiday celebrations, inclement weather, cold/flu season, the winter months are often a time of reduced donations and places an increased risk for blood shortages. Please consider clicking the links below and simply enter your zip code to find a local blood drive near you!

American Red Cross Blood Drives

Versiti Blood Drives

Food is one of my love languages! I will be sharing healthy recipes in my newsletters. Please let me know if you try one of them and how it turned out! 🥰

Diagnosis: 10/10 Good Boy 🏅

Please feel free to contact me any time you have questions or concerns. Let me know if there is something you would like to see more or less of. As a reminder, my schedule is below:

Mon: Torrey Hill

Tues: Middle School

Wed: Flex

Thurs: West Shore

Friday: High School

District Nurse

Lake Fenton Community Schools

810-591-3692

hodell@lakefentonschools.org