Beginning Sept. 13, Olds and area people who smoke can take steps toward better fitness by participating in an eight-week pilot program now available in the town.
The Learn to Run for Smokers program, offered by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Lung Associations of Nova Scotia and Alberta/Northwest Territories, is designed to promote physical fitness through running and to improve the quality of life for people who smoke.
Starting Sept. 13, participants attend weekly sessions on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room in the Ralph Klein Centre at Olds College. The program wraps up Nov. 1.
Learn to Run for Smokers is open to participants of all fitness levels. Each weekly training session lasts about 90 minutes, including a warm-up and cool-down. A combination of walking, running and stretching regimes are included in each session to ensure safe and effective techniques are developed for a lifetime of running.
“The program works to increase participants' fitness levels, so that by the end of the eight weeks, they are able to complete a five-kilometre walk or run.”
Organizers believe that as participants embrace a healthy activity, such as running, they might be more likely to let go of unhealthy ones, such as smoking.
“If participants decide to consider quitting as a result of participating in the program, that would be a bonus,” says AHS health promotion specialist Stephanie Catudal.
Call 403-507-8163 or e-mail [email protected] for more information. Online registration is available by visiting http://ns.lung.ca/learntorunforsmokers/.
Blood donations requested
Canadian Blood Services officials are urging area residents to help them reach a 115 blood donation goal at an upcoming clinic being held in Olds.
Donors are asked to book an appointment for the Sept. 26 clinic being held at the Student Alumni Centre at Olds College to help reduce lineups and waiting times.
“This clinic will help ensure an adequate blood supply for patients in need in southern Alberta,” said Kirsten Breen, Donor and Clinic Services Support, Canadian Blood Services.
Community blood donor clinics like the one coming to Olds help collect about 62,000 blood donations across Alberta each year, according to Canadian Blood Services.
Call 1 888 2 DONATE (1- 888-236-6283) for more information or to book an appointment to donate.
