ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, June 27, 1996 TAG: 9606270008
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
New support group
CHRISTIANSBURG - People who think they may have a sleep disorder or have been diagnosed with such a disorder are invited to join a new support group.
The first meeting of Sleep Apnea AWAKE Support Group will be at 7 tonight in the waiting room of the office of Dr. Donald Zedalis at 2955 Market St., behind the Texas Steak House.
Sleep apnea affects millions of Americans but is often unrecognized, though its consequences range from diminished energy to possible heart attack or stroke. Other symptoms include high blood pressure, memory problems, weight gain, impotency, and headaches. The results could include job impairment or motor-vehicle accidents or anything in between.
Support group organizer Vicki Moose said her life and happiness have improved since recently being diagnosed with sleep apnea and beginning treatment. The group's goals are defined by its AWAKE acronym - Alert Well and Keeping Energetic.
For more information, call Moose at 231-5661 or e-mail her at vmoosevt.edu.
Upward Bound
BLACKSBURG - Approximately 100 students from southwest and central Virginia will participate in Project Upward Bound at Virginia Tech. The program is designed for students who have the potential for college work. It challenges students academically and provides the opportunity to attend a variety of cultural events.
The program, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and sponsored by the Virginia Tech College of Arts and Sciences, is designed to prepare and motivate students to go to college. During the regular school year, participants travel to Virginia Tech every other Saturday to take classes and attend concerts, plays, and sporting events.
During the summer, students live on campus and take courses. This summer in addition to classroom work, the students will participate ina variety of workshops and athletic events, produce a talent show, attend theater presentations, and visit college campuses.
For information on Upward Bound, write to Upward Bound, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. 24061-0146.
RU gets grants
RADFORD - Radford University recently received two grants totaling more than $500,000.
A $390,000 grant from the estates of Anna and Ruth Cronise, the largest alumni bequest to date, will be used to establish four four-year freshman scholarships. Two scholarships will be offered this fall and two will be offered in the fall of 1997.
"Anna and Ruth Cronise were devoted alumni who attributed much of their success in life to the undergraduate education they received at Radford. They left their assets to Radford to enable future generations of students the opportunity to pursue a college education at Radford," said Charles Wood, RU's vice president for university advancement.
A grant of $130,000 from the Virginia Department of Education will be used by RU to establish a center for helping public school divisions analyze and improve special education programs. The grant is renewable annually for five years. The university's special education professors Alice Anderson and Rachel Janney will direct the center. Kenna Couley will be the center coordinator.
Use of the center's services will be initiated by school divisions submitting proposals for what they hope to accomplish in long-range planning.
Pet care program
CHRISTIANSBURG - The Humane Society of Montgomery County's new Surviving Pet Care Program is a way to ensure that pets will be cared for in the event of a long-term illness or death of the owner.
Pet owners who sign up for the program will make a gift to the HSMC that takes effect at the owner's death. They will also appoint someone to be responsible for transporting the pet to the Humane Society if the owner becomes ill or dies. After the pet arrives at the shelter, it will be cared for either at the shelter, at a foster home or at another boarding facility.
The HSMC will try to match the pet with an adoptive family but if the pet is not adopted, it will be cared for by the shelter for the rest of its life. Pets will not be destroyed unless they become terminally ill and a veterinarian recommends euthanasia.
For information about the program, call HSMC at 382-1166 or write to P.O. Box 287, Blacksburg, Va. 24063-0287.
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