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volunteers
Filling a need
Needy patients and newborns at Samaritan Hospital will
get a helping hand, thanks to the volunteer efforts of a
group of young women from the community.
Ranging in age from 12 to 18, the volunteers recently
gathered and donated such items as blankets, new plush
animals, newborn outfits, and socks for babies and child
patients at the hospital.
The donation was part of a service project for the vol-
unteers, all members of the Moses Lake Eighth Ward of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Interested
in helping patients and newborns at Samaritan Hospital,
the young women contacted Bonnie Dirks, Samaritan
Healthcare volunteer coordinator.
“When some of our babies come into the world, they
are welcomed by parents whose income can be limited
and resources compromised by situations beyond their
control,” says Dirks. “The benevolence of these young
women will be far-reaching. With today’s economic
struggles, the need for donations increases rapidly and
we are humbled and grateful that these young women
took the time to research and fill these current needs.”
The young women collected donations from friends,
family and other church members and on March 14
gathered in the hospital lobby to present them.
“It’s sad to think that there are babies that don’t have
necessities like clothing and blankets when they leave
the hospital,” says Tina Hirz, the young women’s leader.
“We hope our donation will help those that are in need
or help to brighten a child’s day after surgery.”
To learn more about donating to Samaritan
Healthcare, please contact Bonnie Dirks at
793-9724
.
WORKING TO HELP OTHERS: Volunteers from Moses Lake Eighth Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints include (in no particular order) Heidi Hirz, Sierra Willhite, Katelyn Patnode, Camile Bru-
neel, Cora Bruneel, Liza Bruneel, Hannah Adams, Margrel Hirz, Maren Hirz and Meg Jackson.
How to cope with those achy feet
When your feet hurt,
your whole body feels
it.
Often a problem
with your feet can
affect your ability to
work and to enjoy social activities. And those are
good reasons to get medical help for one of the
most common health problems of aging.
You can treat some foot ailments, such as blis-
ters and athlete’s foot, at home. But other condi-
tions need your doctor’s attention.
Here are some common problems and possible
treatments identified by the National Institute on
Aging and other experts.
Fungal and bacterial infections.
These can
cause athlete’s foot, redness, blisters, itching and
peeling. To treat, keep feet clean and dry. Change
socks often, and consider not wearing the same
shoes two days in a row. Try dusting your feet
daily with foot powder. Talk to your doctor if the
condition doesn’t improve in two weeks.
Dry skin.
Use mild soap in small amounts and
apply a moisturizing cream or lotion on your legs
and feet every day. Don’t add oils to bath water, as
they may cause you to slip in the tub.
Corns and calluses.
Wearing well-fitting shoes
or pressure-relieving pads may help. But it’s usu-
ally best to avoid self-treatment. Your doctor can
remove hardened tissue during an in-office proce-
dure. If you do use over-the-counter products, use
them only with your doctor’s advice, especially if
you have diabetes or poor circulation. Never cut
corns and calluses yourself.
Bunions.
When big toe joints are out of line,
they become swollen and tender. If a bunion is not
severe, wearing shoes that are wide at the instep
and toes, taping the foot, or wearing cushioning
pads may relieve pain. Other treatments may in-
clude using shoe inserts and taking anti-inflam-
matory drugs. Sometimes surgery is needed. This
outpatient procedure typically involves moving
bones, muscles and nerves so that the toe can be
brought back into alignment.
Ingrown toenails.
Ask your doctor to remove
the part of the nail that is cutting into the skin.
Ingrown nails often can be avoided by cutting
the nail straight across and level with the top of
the toe.
Hammertoe.
This is one of several conditions in
which the toe is deformed and drawn out of posi-
tion. In this case, the toe is bent at the middle joint
so that it rubs against your shoe. Wearing shoes
and stockings with plenty of toe room may help.
But surgery may be recommended in severe cases.
Bone spurs.
Stress on the feet can cause bony
bumps to grow on the foot bones. Standing for
long periods of time, wearing poor-fitting shoes
or being overweight can make spurs worse. Treat-
ments may include using foot supports, heel pads
or heel cups, or having surgery.
Your online guide to finding
highly trained doctors, the
latest treatments, cutting-edge
technology, trustworthy health
information, community events
and more.
www.SAMARITANHEALTHCARE.com
www.SAMARITAN
HEALTHCARE.com
Daren Vernon, DPM, at
Samaritan Podiatry can help
achy feet feel better again. Call
793-9783 for an appointment.
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T h e S a m a r i t a n
S a m a r i t a n H e a l t h
n e w s , v i e w s & t i p s