Our Delaware Valley Podcast

Dr. Riti Patel, a Cardiologist at Lankenau Heart Institute at Mainline Health, and 2019 'Go Red for Women Champion' discussed the work of the American Heart Association. 

She began with information about cardiovascular disease which leads to heart attack, cardiac arrest and stroke, that it’s the number one killer of all Americans.   We discussed possible contributors to disease, including diet, smoking, lack of exercise and sleep deprivation, Dr. Patel believes that sleep hygiene is too often overlooked for good overall health.  She spoke about the higher incidence of disease among certain groups, including South Asians who practice a vegetable based diet, and African Americans and Hispanics, where over one-third of women over 20 have cardiovascular disease.  She told us that family history is also an important indicator, especially the age when disease begins.  She stressed ‘knowing your numbers’ – your blood pressure and cholesterol levels and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.    We discussed women and heart disease, their higher incidence of disease and stroke and their outcomes versus men, is it a gender, treatment or diagnosis issue?  We covered the differences in symptoms between men and women and the advice that women should seek treatment when they are experiencing light-headedness, shortness of breath, swelling or changes to their normal functioning level.  We spoke about the AHA initiatives for women, including the Go Red for Women Luncheon May 10th, with speakers and awareness information.  She encouraged us to go to their website for tips on women’s health and the Facebook Go Red Get Fit group. 

She also mentioned the upcoming annual Homeruns for Heart at Citizens Bank Park May 6th and 7th.

For more information, or to volunteer or donate visit AHAPhilly.org and for the Go Red For Women Luncheon details go to AHAPhilly.org/GRFW2019 

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Gregory Seitter, Marketing Director, Megan Smith, Patient Access Manager, and Alyssa Brookstein, Campaign Specialist, discussed the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, a volunteer driven organization focused on patient quality of life, advocacy and finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.   We discussed the incidence of blood cancer and what defines it, we discussed the symptoms and diagnosis of the diseases, and how genetics and race can affect it.   Megan spoke on the services of LLS for patients and how they offer referrals and information on research and treatment options.  Greg continued with information about their funding of projects, including over $21 million in local grants to Children's Hospital of PA, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Penn Medicine-Abramson Cancer Center, Temple University and the Wistar Institute as well providing over 1.8 million in co-pay and financial assistance to local patients.  He spoke on the advocacy work of the Society, looking to curb hospital consolidations that drive prices up, crack down on delays of generic medications, to reduce wasteful spending on misdiagnosis and find relief for patients who are financially struggling with the new monthly spending cap in Medicare Part D.  Finally, we discussed the Big Climb, coming April 13th.  Teams and individuals will climb the Philadelphia's FMC Tower at Cira Centre South, 1,088 steps and 47 floors, to raise funds for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society.  This station and Beasley Media Group Philadelphia is part of Team Luke.  

For more information visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society online at lls.org.

To register or to donate to a team (Go Team Luke!) at the Big Climb go to bigclimbphilly.com

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PA State Representative Morgan Cephas, and a Commissioner of the Philadelphia Commission for Women discussed women in office, 

Morgan Cephas has worked as the chairperson of the subcommittee of the Legislative Black Caucus on Women and Girls of Color and the 2018 wave for women in elected office - that put women representation in Pennsylvania at 25%, compared to the 51% of the general population.  

She discussed initiatives important to women, in particular, work and wage parity, explaining that if women now make .79 to a man's dollar, for African American women the number drops to .64, just .54 for Hispanic women and .20 for transgender women.  Because women are more likely to be raising children, this affects their ability to pay for education, good housing, and child care, another hot button for Rep Cephas.  The lack of affordable, quality child care is a major impediment to a woman's ability to not just work, but to have a well paying job and career. 

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Shawn Gines, Senior Manager, and Sean Kelly, Community Development Manager, at the American Cancer Society, discussed their community based mission to eliminate cancer through research, education and advocacy.  Shawn spoke on the organization's services, available to anyone who has heard the words, 'You have cancer.'   In Delaware there will be about 5,870 new cases this year, and every year nearly 9 million people worldwide die from it.  The Society funds cutting edge 'new' research, funding innovations with 'seed' money that could lead to larger studies and grants; their work with the public on reducing our risks of getting a cancer and seeking early treatments,  their 24/7 hotline to help with concerns and fears and to aid in finding treatment and with insurance navigation; and, their work to increase funding, health care access and cancer-related policies, such as the T21 Bill, raising the age to buy tobacco products to 21.   We spoke about the drop in overall cancer rates and death, while it is increasing among younger people, mostly accountable to diet.   They discussed their work to get the word out on risk and resources to vulnerable populations, communities who are resistant to discussion for cultural reasons, or who have been distracted by other health concerns, including the LGBTQ community.  Sean discussed the issues that affect the community, including the emphasis on HIV, the high incidence of smoking - socially and as a stress relief, and the lack of coverage before marriage equality laws.   He also discussed the lack of communication between health providers and the LGBTQ community, through lack of trust, fear of discrimination or fear of censor. They discussed a new outreach event aimed at young and LGBTQ people, 'Love, Lipstick and Lashes, Queens for a Cure,' a drag show March 16th at the Queen Theater featuring performers from across the Delaware Valley and Roxxxy Andrews from RuPaul's Drag Race .  Sean also discussed the need for volunteers for office work, fundraising and annual events.

For more information visit CANCER.ORG

To purchase tickets to Love, Lipstick, Lashes,Queens for a Cure, March 16th at the Queen,  go to LOVELIPSTICKLASHES.ORG

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Sam Lemhenny, Senior Vice President of Shows & Events at Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, discussed the upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show, March 2 through the 10th at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.  We spoke about the annual event, the largest all-inside flower show in the world, and, with 250,000 expected visitors, one of the best attended. Sam described the features of this year's event, including the hosting of the FTD World Cup of florists, as international designers will attend to compete.  He discussed the exhibits and vendors and the events associated with it - afternoon teas, the pre-opening Gala, the Saturday night dance party, the 'make & takes' and Butterfly Pavilion.  We touched on the importance of the event to Philadelphia tourism, attracting guests from all 50 states and multiple foreign countries, filling hotel rooms and patronizing our restaurants, shops and transportation providers. 

We wrapped with a discussion of the work of PHS and how the show funds civic beautification projects, in-school programs, tree planting and strategic planting to protect our watershed and climate, the food growing and the job services they offer for the once incarcerated.  

For tickets, exhibition and workshop information, times and special events visit Theflowershow.com and for membership, programs and other information about the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, go to PHSOnline.org

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Holocaust Survivor, Michael Herskovitz from Czechloslovakia along w/ Chuck Feldman, President of HAMEC (Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center) were in the Beasley Studios to discuss The Holocaust. We have a problem in the world where too many don't believe it happened. You can get more information about HAMEC and the Holocaust at www.hamec.org. HAMEC sets up school visits, speaking and more to ensure that we as humans don't repeat some of the mistakes we've made as humans. 

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Joseph Wojie owner of the Grim Philly tours was in The Beasley Studio to discuss the interesting, dark and beautiful history of St. Valentines Day. How it started from Lupercalia and how romance, courtship and love have transcended time. Learn about the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and how they all influenced the holiday of Valentine. Thank You for listening. 

Markus

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Author Irene Levy Baker discussed her books, 100 Things To Do In Philly Before You Die and Unique Eats and Eateries of Philadelphia.  She discussed her career working with the Pennsylvania Convention Center working with travel and tourism and how she learned the city inside and out promoting it to tourists, conventioneers and locals.  She noted the importance of the attractions and restaurants on our local economy, not just in filled hotel rooms, but in server tips, housekeeping, cabbies and Uber drivers, and more and we discussed how many of our best attractions have been dedicated within the past ten years.  Irene mentioned that hotel management was an excellent career choice, you can work your way up through the ranks.   She described the process in choosing sites for 100 Things and suggested an inexpensive day trip for a family, including a stop at the Reading Terminal Market, miniature golf at Franklin Square, the Betsy Ross House and other historic sites.  She suggested families could take a photo with each of the hole feature on the mini golf course - each is a replica of a famous Philadelphia destination, then taking a photo at the real site as a great 'souvenir' of the day.   She noted that shoe is  not a food critic, her new book looks at the stories behind the restaurants that make up Philly's food scene.  We talked about restaurants driving the neighborhood revivals and how small retailers and restauranteurs should remember marketing is important to getting notice, a nod to Irene's public relations business, Spotlight.

For more information, plus links to purchase 100 Things To Do In Philly Before You Die and Unique Eats and Eateries in Philadelphia, also available at local bookstores and Amazon.com, visit uniqueeatsphilly.com

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From Community Legal Aid Society, Laura Graham, Deputy Director and Managing Attorney, and John Whitelaw, Advocacy Director, in a discussion on immigrants in the Delaware Valley.   They described the work of CLASI, providing legal aid to low income and under served communities on housing, elder law, benefits, domestic abuse and victims of crime and their work with local immigrants, documented workers, residents, out of status and undocumented.   CLASI will provide representation for immigrants who are victims of crime, victims of human trafficking, abused spouses and children removed from parental care among others.

They noted that nearly one in ten Delaware resident is an immigrant and a further 7 percent are native born citizens of at least one immigrant parent.  They come through work or student visas or through refugee programs, and the process for legal admittance is slow and difficult, with filing fees of nearly $2,000, background checks, and proof of employment, family or humanitarian reason for applying.   John noted the distinction made for doctors, a required 'residency' administering to an under served community, or investors, with cash and jobs to offer.   They discussed the process, which can take years and be halted for over-staying, a deportment or criminal charges.   We talked about who immigrant families are - the average who has out stayed has been living and working in the state for fifteen years and many are mixed families, one or both parents could be undocumented while some or all children could be citizens.      They talked about the myths and misconceptions that immigrants receive benefits - no one can receive benefits without documentation, and in fact they are actually paying into the system through their taxes.   They discussed the problems mixed families face, with concerns that taking benefits for entitled children or parents, could endanger the rest.  This leads to issues with law enforcement as crimes are under-reported, lost early educational opportunities,  and health issues as children go unvaccinated and women pass on pre-natal care and WIC benefits.  Finally, Laura discussed proposed changes to the immigration process that would expand the definition of public charge and dependence on the state for support to include such common benefits as SNAP or Section 8 housing, making residency even more difficult.

For more information - confidential - visit DECLASI.ORG

For residents of New Jersey and Philadelphia, there are community legal aid offices available to you at Legal Aid Services of New Jersey and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia

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Donna Cooper, Executive Director of Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY) discussed the non-profit watchdog that addresses the challenges families in the Delaware Valley face in health, housing and education through advocacy and direct services.  We began with a discussion of the status of children today, both surprisingly hopeful with opportunities and technology, and worrisome, with educational shortfalls and shortages in childcare.   She discussed the funding of our schools, left to the state as there is no Constitutional guarantee to a public education, our Federal government provides just 2% of the cost.  She noted that wages have not increased to match the cost and a high tax rate for schools with poor residents cause funding inequalities that the state does not make up.  She also worried that schools now need to graduate everyone to fulfill the country's job needs, at a time when more children are underprepared and schools are struggling to meet increased responsibilities toward the students.  This lead into the question of child care and early intervention to get kids on track towards graduation, there is too little child care and it is too costly for most parents. She addressed health care for children, too, and the crisis of lead in the Delaware Valley, noting that the lead levels for children in some housing exceeds that of the children in Flint, Michigan. PCCY is working to get the state involved in testing and in accountability for the manufacturers and builders who created the crisis.  She wrapped with a discussion on health care, too many children are still un or underinsured, PCCY will work with parents to get their children enrolled in the state or other plan to get them covered.  She spoke about PCCY partnerships with the Eagles. Wills Eye Hospital and local dental providers that allows them to offer dental work and free eye glasses for children.   She asked for parents and others to work with PCCY to bring their message to our legislature and to help support health and educational opportunities to all children. 

PCCY.ORG  

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