FamilyWize Joins United Way at College Prep Fair

Over the weekend of October 6 and 7, FamilyWize joined our friends at the United Way of New York City at the New Futuro 2012 Brighter Futures College Prep Fair for Latino Students and Families, the largest free college prep fair for Latinos. New Futuro is an organization that works with the Hispanic community to help students get into college and achieve their career goals by offering free bilingual support and resources to students and their families.

FamilyWize attends New Futuro 2012 college prep fair.

Students and their families were invited from all over New York City to attend the college fair, which was held at Lehman College in the Bronx, and learn how to prepare and pay for college. Students had the chance to meet with hundreds of college representatives and community groups, attend workshops, and win scholarships.

With the help of our amazing volunteers, Joyce Klemperer and Marta Nunez, we were able to talk with hundreds of New Yorkers of all ages who didn’t know about the FamilyWize card. They were all excited to learn that help was available, once they got over their initial disbelief that it was too good to be true! Every dollar saved counts, especially when you are saving for college. We were all thrilled to be able to give out the discount cards and help these students save for their future.

Students learning ways to save for the costs of college.

We believe that it’s never too early to start thinking about the costs of college or saving money, so we were delighted to meet the students from Mosaic Preparatory Academy. This group of 2nd to 5th graders spent their Saturday morning at the fair picking up tips on how to start getting ready for college. When they stopped by our table to pick up some FamilyWize prescription drug cards they really impressed us with their dedication to their futures. We sent them home with cards and FamilyWize reusable shopping bags. 

Young people attend New Futuro 2012 college prep fair
to prepare for the future with the help of
FamilyWize prescription drug cards.

We want to thank the United Way of New York City and New Futuro for inviting us to such a wonderful event and we wish the best of luck to all of the students we met!

Nora O'Brien
FamilyWize Staff member and Contributing Writer

Unexpected Savings at Roosevelt Field Mall

There is no greater feeling than going to the mall, walking to your favorite store, and seeing a big sign offering discounts of up to 75% off on all of your most-desired items. For three days, FamilyWize provided this feeling to over 1,000 Roosevelt Field Mall shoppers in Long Island, NY.

Sharon Galzarano, RPh., in front of the FamilyWize information center
at Roosevelt Field Mall, Long Island, NY. 

For many people, though, prescription medications are much more important than buying a pair of jeans. While it’s okay to wear the same pair of jeans until you can afford another, this is not the case for medications. Several studies have shown that many people skip filling prescriptions in order to save money, and this has a long-term effect on one’s health and is actually more costly in the long run. How much more costly? One Health Affairs study published in 2011 claims that for every dollar spent on high blood pressure medication, for example, a patient will save an additional $10 on future hospitalizations, tests, or operations. In other words, by taking all medications correctly now, a patient will have a greater chance of avoiding expensive procedures in the future.

On October 19, 20 and 21, the FamilyWize marketing team distributed 1,800 prescription discount cards to mall shoppers. We also gave out Script Your Future wallet medicine reminder cards, pillboxes, reusable grocery bags, and Halloween glow sticks. 

Among other things, our giveaways included the
NCL's wallet medicine reminder cards.

Most importantly, we offered visitors the opportunity to “Ask the Pharmacist,” Sharon Galzarano, RPh, questions about health and medications. We spoke to 232 of these visitors in greater detail, and here’s what we learned from them over the three days:

• 67% are personally concerned or impacted by the cost of prescription drugs;
• An additional 10%, while not personally impacted, have family members or friends without adequate prescription coverage;
• Several visitors admitted to regularly skipping doses or re-filling prescriptions to save money;
• Most visitors were extremely impressed with the wallet medicine reminder cards provided by the National Consumers League;
• 100% of children really, really love glow sticks!

Nora speaks to a visitor about the benefits of the FamilyWize card and the
other tools we provide to increase wellness.  

We are extremely happy to have been able to celebrate National Pharmacists Month at Roosevelt Field Mall and to promote the message that the FamilyWize prescription discount card is not only a unique cost-savings tool, but also one of many tools to improve one’s overall well being.

Aura Mastraghin
FamiliyWize Marketing Team Member and Contributing Writer

 

FamilyWize Points Donegan Elementary in the Right Direction

Students at Donegan Elementary School
attend FamilyWize event.

On October 17, FamilyWize joined Donegan Elementary School in a ribbon-tying ceremony celebrating its introduction as the newest United Way COMPASS School in the Lehigh Valley, PA as its lead corporate sponsor. The FamilyWize initiative began in 2005 with the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley at the Fowler Family Center, located in Donegan. After recognizing and fulfilling a need within this localized community, CEO Dan Barnes points to Donegan and United Way as one of the key motivating forces that “challenged us to expand.” FamilyWize is so happy for the success it has gained since then and to have come full circle and be able to give back to the community in which it first gained a foothold toward success. Lehigh University also joined FamilyWize as the school’s sponsor.

The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley’s COMPASS program (Community Partners for Student Success) is an initiative that encourages community partnership with educational institutions to ensure that students have all the resources necessary to follow their dreams and pursue academic success. These resources are not only limited to financial sponsorship but especially focus on mentorship from leaders in the community. It encourages students to take part in community service projects and empowers parents to take a more active role within the student body. COMPASS emphasizes education, leadership and character development to help guide students toward a fulfilling future.

The United Way of the GLV states that the community school model focuses on the following elements, reported by the Coalition for Community Schools that have been proven to increase students’ learning potential:

• Access to high quality early childhood programs
• Quality education through high standards for all students
• A wide range of positive youth development opportunities
• Services that help students/families to meet their basic needs
• Mutual respect and effective collaboration among parents, staff and the community
• Safe and supportive learning environment

Susan Gilmore, President of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, noted that efforts to provide quality education for children in their community cannot be totally fulfilled by the United Way alone, but depend heavily on the support and partnership with businesses and individuals within the community. She spoke about leadership programs within the school, reading programs and activities at the school that were made possible through United Way and participation from the community. The Lehigh University Black Student Union also showed their support by taking part in a performance of “Lean on Me” by Donegal’s students. Some Lehigh University student athletes were also present and Lehigh University president, Alice Gast, discussed their involvement in the “Reading Rocks” program which drives home the importance of education in addition to students’ extracurricular activities.

A student at Donegan, although seemingly nervous, spoke to the crowd with great insight about how involvement from the community, Lehigh University students, United Way volunteers and local small business owners had positively impacted his experience in school.“I like telling people what to do”, he said. “And with the leadership programs here, I could.”  He also spoke about improvement in his reading skills and touted himself as an example of the types of students such partnerships could foster.

Part of the ribbon that was tied by Dan Barnes,
CEO and Co-Chair at FamilyWize.

When Dan Barnes spoke about FamilyWize’s relationship with Donegan Elementary school, he noted that it began further back than the business relationship that started in 2005. He told about his mother’s involvement with the school as a teacher and continued involvement as the coordinator between FamilyWize and Donegan, today.  Emphasizing the special relationship he has with Donegan both professionally and personally, Dan Barnes volunteered at Donegan when he was in middle school, reading to the younger children . He then tied a ribbon with the FamilyWize name onto a larger ribbon with the other community partners’ names, signifying multiple entities and institutions coming together to help usher in a new future for the students at Donegan Elementary School.

It takes a village to make a school successful.
FamiliyWize is proud to embark on this journey
with the people of Lehigh Valley.

The faces of proud parents, students and teachers spoke volumes about how the United Way COMPASS movement inspired real faith and optimism in the community about the future of their school. Many of the speakers talked about their long history of participation in the Bethlehem Area school district. Visitors to the school got the sense that the audience was made up of much more than just individuals but rather a school community that has come together as a family to ensure that their children have the optimal potential for success. FamilyWize is excited and proud to embark on this new journey with them, toward helping improve the lives of people in the Lehigh Valley by creating happier, healthier communities through quality education and community involvement.

Christina Colon
Contributing Writer and FamilyWize Marketing Team Member

Walking for a cause: the unaBridged story

Last weekend, the FamilyWize marketing team had the opportunity to travel to the Brooklyn Bridge to participate in United Way of New York City’s LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk & Festival. According to United Way of NYC, every year “the LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk brings together thousands of individuals and teams from all sectors to raise awareness of the need to "bridge" critical gaps in educational achievement, income stability and access to healthy food for low-income New Yorkers.” During the event, thousands of participants walked across the Brooklyn Bridge before settling in Cadman Plaza for outdoor activities and the opportunity to receive valuable information from dozens of nonprofit organizations.

A view of Cadman Plaza during the LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk & Festival

Here’s a fun fact about the bridge: when it was completed and opened for use in 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge was the largest suspension bridge in the world, and the only land passage between Manhattan and Brooklyn! Since then, the Brooklyn Bridge was designated a National Historical Landmark, which makes it a perfect location for events that emphasize cultural and economic diversity and increase awareness for topics such as health, income, and education.

Nora and Holly speak to a walker about the FamilyWize card

The United Way of New York City volunteers did a great job entertaining walkers of all ages in Cadman Plaza by providing balloons and games for the kids, and informational materials for the adults. At the FamilyWize table in the Health Pavilion, we were happy to be able to give out prescription discount cards that people could use right away. The most common reaction we got after explaining the benefits of the card was disbelief, to which we replied, several times in one conversation, “Yes, really.”

Even four-legged friends enjoyed the LIVE UNITED t-shirts

The Bridge Walk was also a great reminder that nature can be just as engaging as technology, but significantly more fulfilling. We saw people in Cadman Plaza of all different ages walking, running and playing with one another. At more than one point throughout the morning, the plaza was flooded with walkers in LIVE UNITED t-shirts, some of them even four-legged!

Overall, our team gave out hundreds of cards to New Yorkers who struggle to afford their prescription medications, and we are thankful to the United Way of New York City for inviting us to this event. Regardless of walking for a cause, walking to work or walking for fun, this activity greatly contributes to a healthier lifestyle at absolutely no cost – kind of like using the FamilyWize card! And, if you’re ever in New York, the Brooklyn Bridge offers 5,988 feet of pure, unadulterated walking.

Osteoporosis - No Bones About It

Osteoporosis. That's a word that makes many people very anxious. It’s a common health issue in our society that leads to disability for many senior citizens, especially older women. Many of us have an elderly parent or grandparent who has fallen and suffered a fracture or who has trouble with the simple tasks of getting up from a chair and walking a short distance.

In the past, we believed that brittle bones and their resulting fractures were just a normal part of aging.  Now however, we know that these problems can be the result of risk factors, some are lifestyle habits that can be changed, like bad diet, smoking, too much alcohol or lack of exercise.Others are factors over which we have no control, like family history, post-menopause, having a light weight or thin body frame.

What is Osteoporosis?

Since bone is a living tissue, it is constantly being created and replaced in our bodies. Osteoporosis happens when old bone is absorbed faster than new bone can be created.  Osteoporosis weakness bones and makes them prone to breaking. When you have osteoporosis, a simple fall can easily result in a bone fracture.  Just bending over or coughing can cause fracturing when you have osteoporosis.  Most fractures happen in the hip, wrist or spine.

Lifestyle Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

• Smoking

• Pregnancy and breast feeding

• Lack of exercise

• A diet lacking in calcium rich foods  

According to The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center, more than 40 million people either already have osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass.  That risk increases if you are female, elderly, small and thin.  Family history can also play a part since osteoporosis tends to run in families. 

Can Osteoporosis by prevented?

There are steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis.  These include early screening, osteoporosis medications, dietary supplements and weight-bearing exercises to strengthen your bones. 

Get Screened

The National Osteoporosis Foundation lists the following factors for having a bone density test:

Mary Carr, diagnosed with Osteoporosis at age 65.

• You are a woman age 65 or over
• You are a man age 70 or over
• Menopausal age with risk factors
• Post-menopausal before age 65 with risk factors
• A man between the ages of 50-69 with risk factors

Consider getting tested for osteopenia – a precursor to osteoporosis.  Osteopenia is a condition in which your bone mineral density is lower than normal.  A bone mineral density test can be used to diagnose osteoporosis.  Having Osteopenia does not mean you will develop osteoporosis, but knowing this gives you the chance to change your diet and lifestyle to reduce your likelihood of developing osteoporosis.  

At this point, you might be wondering if your insurance will cover a bone density test. Well, if you are a woman age 65 and over, it probably is covered. However, if you are younger and feel you are at risk, what can you do?  According to the WebMd, the test will be covered if you have one or more of the following risk factors:

•     A fracture

•     You are postmenopausal

•     You are not taking estrogen at menopause

•     You are taking medications that cause bone thinning

You should check with your insurance provider to be certain that the test will be covered for you. However, even though there may be a cost involved, the information you get from having this valuable test will pay for itself in years to come. You will have the peace of mind of knowing that you have a chance to reverse and prevent bone loss before it is too late.

Using a walker to get around, my mom used to be 5'4", now
she's 5'. Bone shrinkage due to Osteoporosis caused
curvature of the spine and painful compression fractures
in her back.

  
Weight-bearing Exercises

• Walking

• Hiking

• Jogging or running  

• Climbing stairs

• Lifting weights

• Playing tennis

• Dancing 

Calcium and Vitamin D

Eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D to reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis.  Get vitamin D by eating foods such as salmon and tuna and foods fortified with vitamin D like orange juice, breads and cereals. Read our FamilyWize article Got Milk? Don’t Worry-Lot’s of Foods Are Calcium Rich!   for a list of foods that are great calcium sources.

Discounted Osteoporosis Medication

You may qualify for significant discounts – up to 75% off – on prescription medication for osteoporosis through the free FamilyWize prescription discount card.  

Some medications taken for common ailments like heartburn can affect osteoporosis, according to WebMd. Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, could raise fracture risks. If you have osteoporosis or you are at risk to develop it, you should discuss this with your doctor. There may be an alternative medication that does not affect osteoporosis, or other measures you could take, like diet and exercise, that may counteract the affects of the medication.

You can also speak with your doctor to get more information and a better understanding of your risks. 

Ric Moxley
Contributing Writer
 

New FamilyWize Team Members

Here at FamilyWize, we put out the welcome mat for two young ladies who joined the marketing team!

Aura Mastraghin graduated in May from University of Pennsylvania where she studied marketing with a special interest in creativity.

Love her name? Her mom and grandmother are both named Aurelia and her name is a creative spin off.  

In her spare time she likes to do "nerdy things." (Her words, not mine!)  One of those "nerdy things" is a video game called Age of Empires which is a real-time strategy game.  She is an only child and the proud mama of three cats--Bella, Tomba, and Indy.  

The one thing people would never guess about her is that she doesn't speak with a foreign accent.  If you're scratching your head, would explaining that she has only lived in the United States for a little over a decade explain it?  Aura moved to Philadelphia when she was 11 after her family won the Visa lottery.  Talk about luck!  Since she spent a while growing roots in Romania, she enjoys going back every year to visit her grandmother, aunt and cousin  as well as the friends  she has kept in contact with all these years.  

One thing that not too many people know about her is that she has never been to a football game! I told her she's not missing too much anyway.  There is a 50/50 chance of one of the teams winning. 

Aura will be responsible for the creative marketing aspects of the FamilyWize branding campaigns.  She builds messaging, imagery, creative content in line with the goals of the FamilyWize program.  Her strength in understanding the customer's experience helps drive her every project as she works to communicate our message and guide the team in reaching new communities to help.

Christina Colon graduated in May from DeSales University in Pennsylvania where she studied marketing and finance.   

She called herself a "Jersey Girl" up until recently when she moved to the keystone state to go to school and ended up moving in with some girlfriends after she graduated.  What's the one thing she misses about Jersey? Having her gas pumped!  In her spare time, she likes to get to know the city of Bethlehem where she recently moved with her friends who double as tour guides.  

When she's not at FamilyWize, she is a part-time hostess at a modern restaurant and hang out spot around the corner from the office.  

One thing not too many people know about her is that she loves to cook.  Most of her recipes were first an experiment and then became a recipe card.  Her specialty is stuffed turkey burgers which her roommates request often.  I would describe them, but you would drool and we don't want that! 

Something people would never guess about Christina is that she doesn't know how to ride a bike and she's not ashamed of it either! She said she wasn't blessed with coordination.  Plus, growing up in a big city, riding bikes wasn't a huge part of their activity.

Christina will be responsible for the direct to consumer data marketing points for FamilyWize.  She is a data driven marketer who understands, visualizes and communicates the marketing trends our data provides us.  Her gift is both as a tactical marketer and as a communicator of the results of our efforts each day.  She is a fast study of technology and marketing in a digital world.  Her ability to influence using social media and online tools will be one of her greatest assets to our marketing team.

Krysta W.

FamilyWize Employee Insight: What's the "Wizest" Thing You've Ever Heard?

Being a part of a community service organization, like FamilyWize, allows every employee to hear some really great things; compliments, suggestions, and stories.  You name it, we've heard some great ones!  Besides the knowledge of everything FamilyWize, we have all these shared "Wize" words stored in our heads from partners, pharmacists, and prescription drug card customers.   We thought we would dust them off and share with you what the FamilyWize discount drug card is doing for others!  Wisdom is meant to be shared because at times we all need to be a little bit "wizer."

Kathy, Program Coordinator

What is the "Wizest" thing I’ve been told by a United Way colleague?  Wize, and memorable too!  Earlier this year, I spoke with an executive director of one of the United Ways we partner with.  The United Way really appreciates the FamilyWize partnership as well as how much it has helped many of their community residents with great savings on their prescription medications!

Wize sayings to live by!

"Wize" part: The Executive Director let me know that they had an older woman come into their United Way asking for prescription assistance and really she was asking for “help” to be able to afford medications for herself and her elderly husband.  She obtained and used the FamilyWize discount card a few times.  However, her husband was somewhat stubborn and a total “unbeliever” to even try to use the FamilyWize savings card.  It took some coaxing and relaying her savings amount to make him a believer.  Finally he tried using the FamilyWize prescription savings card.  And much to his skepticism, he actually saved a great deal on his essential medications.
The elderly woman informed the United Way Executive Director about this great “success story” of someone there using the FamilyWize card.  At the United Way they continue to tell the story about turning a “non-believer" into a "believer!"

Kim, Program Coordinator

The ‘wizest’ thing I have been told thus far in my career at FamilyWize was by a pharmacist.  When I went to fill my prescriptions at my regular pharmacy, I thought I would introduce myself and see if the pharmacy was familiar with the program I helped implement.  He had heard of the program, but didn't know too much about it, so I explained to him who can use the prescription discount card and how it works. 

I also shared our new feature to the program that allows peopleto text "RX to the phone number "700700" and get a FamilyWize card right to their phone.  I thought I would share it with the pharmacist and his techs since it's an easy way for uninsured or underinsured customers to get help right away.   His exact words to me were “Wow! You guys are on the bleeding edge of technology!"  That made me chuckle, and him chuckle, too.  The pharmacist saying that made me realize FamilyWize is truly a step ahead and has found another way to reach those who need help filling prescriptions. 

Dave, Team Leader

Because the FamilyWize program has no registration or sign-up requirement, many people comment on how easy it is to let others know about the program.  The Rx discount cards are free and can be given away to anyone and everyone we meet!  What an excellent way to strike up a conversation with a total stranger!  One of the wizest things I have ever heard is, "the FamilyWize card is a vehicle to provide an act of random kindness."  I never thought about it, but it's very true! 

Some pretty wise things, right?! Whether you use the technology or are looking to provide someone with an act of random kindness, it only takes a few seconds to help someone in need.

Now that we've shared with you, share with us.  What's the wizest thing YOU have been told?  Our ears (and comment box) are open! 
Krysta W.

Narcolepsy A Matter of the Brain

Below is a picture of my daughter.  She is beautiful and vibrant and leads a busy life...but her daily life is a life of exhaustion.  Why?  She has narcolepsy.  Even when she was little she never slept through the night.  We thought perhaps she had sleep apnea, so when we had her tonsils taken out we thought her sleep would improve and it did slightly.  But as a preteen she also had Lyme's disease after which her sleep problems worsened along with her health.  Is there a correlation?  New studies may show some correlation between Neurological Post Treatment Lymes disease and narcolepsy / chronic fatigue, but nothing conclusive yet.

Is she sleeping or is she awake?
Narcolepsy affects many!

Whatever the cause - it is a frustrating autoimmune disease that can wreak havoc on your sleep and your life!

My daughter does not have the type of narcolepsy where if she sits she falls asleep, which is how most people envision a narcolepsy sleep disorder.  Instead her brain really doesn't know when she is supposed to be asleep or awake.  So if she is sleeping and dreaming, those dreams actually are real and she acts them out.  When she was younger, she had a loft bed.  She was in one of her lucid dreams (narcoleptics reach REM (Rapid Eye Movement) within the first few minutes of sleep, whereas other people fall into REM sleep about 100 minutes into sleep).  She thought her mattress was falling on her so she jumped over the side and out of the bed.  It is five feet off the ground.  Luckily she didn't get hurt.  That is the sleep side of her life.

The awake side is a little more scary.  Two years ago while starting school to be an aesthetician, she was driving and missed her exit.  She called me in a panic.  We have learned that part of her neurological sleep disorder means she doesn't go anywhere new without someone else taking her there first.  (This is also part of a learning disorder - visual perception processing disorder. But that is another blog.)

I told her to tell me where she was and we got her back in the right direction.  During this time however she confessed, "I think I fell asleep."  She no longer drives any long distances by herself.  In order to drive, she is required to either take a sleeping aid or something to keep her awake.  Because she is small in stature; the medications really mess with her.  There are prescription medications for narcolepsy treatment, but you need to check with your doctor and pharmacist to see which is best for you.  Because of her physical responses, she has opted for natural alternatives.  She may go back on the sleep medication however, which is highly regulated and unusual in its dosages, but at least helps her sleep.

My daughter is now 20 and through my research has new hope.  She doesn't feel so alone with this disease.  Because it isn't just the sleep. She suffers from narcolepsy with cataplexy.  This is when her body physically goes to sleep although she is awake.  She is not alone though according to the National Institute of Health, "...one in every 3,000 Americans" is affected by this sleeping disorder.

What is narcolepsy?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke define as:

"Narcolepsy is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system characterized by the brain's inability to control sleep-wake cycles."

There are many studies and reports on narcolepsy, but this site provides clear and simple information on narcolepsy.

Although my daughter has adjusted her life and doesn't let it stop her from having fun, my biggest concern for my daughter and others like her is that a lack of sleep associated with sleeping disorders can cause health problems.  "Even the loss of one hour of sleep time that accumulates for several days can have a powerful negative effect on daytime performance, thinking, and mood", according to the Sleep Foundation's Sleep Wake Cycle Study.  And even more astounding is the Center for Disease Control article on sleeping problems which indicates, "Insufficient sleep is associated with a number of chronic diseases and conditions—such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression—which threaten our nation’s health."

If you have narcolepsy, another type of sleep disorder, such as insomnia, sleep apnea, or restless leg syndrome (RLS), or have problems falling asleep, then I would encourage you to see a doctor and get a sleep study test.

A lack of sleep can cause difficulty in your daily lives and wreak havoc on your health.  So improve your life and your health and get help with your sleep.  To find out some of the health risks and how to sleep better, check out our other blogs:

• Problems Sleeping and Health Risks
• Help Me Sleep
• Foods That Help You Sleep

At FamilyWize we truly seek to help you find not only affordable prescription medications for sleep disorders, but help you find ways to live healthy.  If you suffer from a sleeping problem, check our Drug Look-Up Tool to see if we cover your sleep medication and can help you get a discount on your prescription medicine.

Donna Cornelius
Content Manager and Editor for FamilyWize

Ode to Tammie

Tammie's enthusiasm and generosity will be missed at FamilyWize.

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go.  Some stay for a while, leave foot prints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same." 
---Flavia Weedn

Man, isn't that the truth!  For more than a year, all of us at FamilyWize have been given the unbelievable privilege of spending eight hours each day working with an amazing woman and friend -- Tammie. 

Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to a fabulous co-worker and send her off to Oregon where her family is moving to support her husband and his new job. Great for him, bad for us.  We are however very happy for both of them!

We unanimously agreed all of her baked goods, from cookies to scones, will be greatly missed.  But most of all, Tammie's enthusiasm about getting the FamilyWize free prescription discount card to those in need will be missed the most.

As a tribute to Tammie, each FamilyWize employee, friend, and family wrote down what we will miss most about her.  And believe us when we say it was hard to keep it to a single Post-It note!

Thank you for leaving foot prints in all of our hearts, Tammie! 

Krysta W.

National Ice Cream Month - Sweet Treats in July

Ice Cream Deliciousness!

As the temperatures have soared to the upper 90's and 100's and storms across the country have knocked out electricity - many are doing anything possible to keep cool.  I have the perfect solution - ice cream!  July  is after all - National Ice Cream Month!

I didn't realize it was National Ice Cream Month until I received an email from Blue Bunny Ice Cream - a company for which I was a contributing writer for their online magazine.  Of course, since that email I have had ice cream on my brain all week!  So to support, celebrate, and provide a solution to the sweltering heat - let's scream for ice cream!

Fun Facts About Ice Cream:

• In 1984, former President Ronald Reagan designated July the National Ice Cream Month.
• The 3rd Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day!
• 1.53 billion gallons of ice cream and other frozen desserts were made in 2011 in the US (International Dairy Foods Association; source USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service)
• 90% of American households eat ice cream (National Geographic article)
• In 1919, the "I Scream Bar" was invented, later to be renamed Eskimo Pie in 1921 by Russell Stover (Source: The Facts of File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins, 1/1/2004)
• The term "brain freeze" was trademarked by the retail chain "Seven-Eleven". Scientific name is sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia - which happens when the extreme cold hits the roof of your mouth and causes an increase in blood flow in the anterior cerebral artery according to a study led by Dr. Jorge Serrador of Harvard Medical School. (Reported by American Physiological Society)

Sharing an ice cream cone is twice the fun!

Facts and fun aside; eating ice cream is not just an American past time.  This cool treat began in early Europe in the second century B.C. with snow ice (maybe that is where snow cones originated).  The frozen sweet treats of sweet milk, cream, butter and eggs (originally reserved for the elite in the 1800's) are now enjoyed by people of every culture.  In 1925 the Waring's Pennsylvanians even had a musical hit that we all know a version of called, "I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream."

From ice cream cones to ice cream sodas, to sorbets, sherbet, and frozen yogurt - the concept of cool treats has evolved through the years.  And although ice cream is not considered a food group - I am sure some would disagree.  Some of the more popular types and flavors of ice cream listed by the International Dairy Foods Association are:

• Ice Cream - homemade ice cream, hard or soft ice cream
• Frozen Custard or French Ice Cream
• Sherbets
• Gelato - Italian ice cream
• Sorbet / Water Ices
• Frozen Yogurt
• Mochi - Japanese confection of sticky rice with an ice cream filling (I added this one.)

Nutritional information and value aside; tomorrow as the heat of summer hits 102 degrees in eastern Pennsylvania, you can be sure that my family and I will be taking in the coolness of a sweet ice cream cone or ice cream sundae or other ice treat at the local ice cream shop.  We will just have to decide whether that is at the local Cold Stone Creamery, Dairy Queen, Maggie Moos, Rita's or the mom and pop stand down the street - sooo many choices!

Join our ice cream poll and tell us what your favorite ice cream flavor is!

Oh Boy - A Baby at FamilyWize! Pass the Baby Wipes Please

Oooh Baby - It's a Boy! 

Team Leader Amber at Familywize.

But we knew that!  What we didn't know was when this little bundle of joy was going to join the FamilyWize family!  And we are very happy to announce that the FamilyWize family just got a little bit bigger!  

We shared the surprise party we threw for our team leader Amber (Amber's Shower), but now we want to send a big hug and congratulations to Amber and her husband on the new addition of their family on July 3rd!

Amber and husband welcomed their sweet baby boy on Tuesday and none too soon!  

The Fun Has Just Begun!
Having a baby is only the beginning!  There are sooo many things to think about.  Although Amber and her husband were well prepared with baby shower gifts and pre-baby shopping, a baby in the family brings a reality check to your life and your wallet.

From baby clothes to formula (if you are nursing) to diapers and baby wipes - it seems once you have a baby the money tree in the backyard can't grow fast enough.

Making your own baby wipes saves money.

So I shared a little secret with Amber on the day of her baby shower - homemade baby wipes!  

Making Your Own Baby Wipes

Having babies doesn't have to be expensive.  You can make your own food, make your own baby wipes; there are many ways to save money as you grow your family!  With three children of my own, saving money when adding babies to the family tree can sure come in handy!

As with everything FamilyWize, we believe in paying it forward!  So I am going to share a baby wipe recipe that was given to me after my first baby - AND I rarely bought baby wipes after that!

Recipe - Baby Wipes:
1 roll of paper towels (soft, cotton paper towels)
2 cups of hot water
2 Tbsp. of Baby Soap
1 Tbsp of Baby Oil or Olive Oil

Directions:  

1. Lay the roll of paper towels on its side.  Cut the roll of paper towels in half with a sharp knife - setting aside one half.  
2. Carefully remove the inside cardboard of the roll.  You will be pulling the wipes from the center.  Doing this step makes it easy to take one wipe at a time.
3. Put one half of the roll in an empty diaper wipe container or other container large enough to hold the half roll of paper towels.
4. Mix water, baby soap, and baby oil in a measuring cup or bowl.
5. Pour the mixture over the towels in the container.
6. Let it sit for about 15 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed. 

You now have your own baby wipes that you can use immediately! 

Be sure to share with us how you save money having a baby in the family!  Also - please share this recipe with all your young mom friends!

Donna Cornelius
Online Marketing Manager

Watermelon Recipe Contest Winner Is!

Thank you to everyone who posted a recipe and for those of you who voted!

We now have a winner for the Watermelon Recipe Contest - Gwendolyn's "Watermelon Green Smoothie"!  The Watermelon Summer Cocktail was a close second, but the healthy green smoothie won 51% of the votes!  Congratulations Gwendolyn!

Winning healthy green smoothie made with watermelon.

Here is the winning watermelon recipe:

Watermelon Green Smoothie:

Fill blender 3/4 full with seedless Watermelon (you can include the seeds if you have a powerful blender like a Vita-mix).
Fill the blender the rest of the way with greens (spinach, romaine, or green leaf work great!).
Add a 1/4 slice of Avocado,(this gives the smoothie a nice texture and adds nutrients at the same time:)

Blend till liquefied, and ENJOY! A life giving, energy enhancing, fabulous tasting Green Smoothie.

If you have not checked out the green smoothie recipe or our other watermelon recipes, be sure to read our "Fruit-tastic Watermelon News for Your Summer Health" blog.  There are nine delicious recipes for children and adults!  This sweet, cool tasty fruit is an easy way to incorporate the nutritional properties of watermelon into every-day meals or drinks!

A little about our winning smoothie recipe.  Green smoothies are a growing trend!  You can find them in most grocery and health food stores today!  But... I am here to tell you - you can easily make your own and save money if you have a blender.  There are many healthy green smoothie recipes online, but why not start with our contest winning "Watermelon Green Smoothie" - just scroll down to the comments to see this recipe. With this healthy recipe you can combine the watermelon's nutritional benefits and the health benefits of green smoothies to make a refreshing drink any time of the day!

Be sure to come back for more fun ways to improve your health!  Our goal at FamilyWize.org is to provide you with information you need about health, health care, medicine, money savings, and overall how to live a healthy, happy life!  

Here's to a healthy green smoothie drink that will cool you off this summer - courtesy of Gwendolyn and FamilyWize!

Donna Cornelius

Online Marketing Manager

Options for MediCare Part D Prescriptions

Working at FamilyWize really gives me assurance that there are always options when it comes to getting needed prescription medicine - even those of you in the donut hole who are probably asking, "Now what?" 

Light on the other side of the Donut Hole.

If you are new to Medicare and the Part D prescription coverage gap, then there are a few things you need to know:

1. There is a temporary gap in prescription coverage depending on the plan you've chosen so your monthly prescription medication costs may rise.
2. Whether or not you enter into the coverage gap is based on your drug plan spending for those drugs that are covered.
3. Once you enter whether or not you will exit the donut hole additional funds and qualify for catastrophic coverage for the remainder of the year is based on your out of pocket expenses while in the Medicare coverage gap.  

Confusing? For more information or help go to www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE or check with your pharmacist.

If You Calculate That You Won't Spend Enough Money Out of Pocket to Qualify for Catastrophic Coverage... Then Here Are Tips to Make the Best of the Coverage Gap While You Are In It

If you do enter the coverage gap, as promised from last week's blog "The Dreaded Medicare Donut Hole"; here are some options and resources on how to land softly and survive the donut hole dunk! 

If you think you will spend enough to get out of the gap - DO NOT use these options.

1. Compare, Compare, Compare - If you are not going to spend enough to get out of the donut hole, say it with me-COMPARE!  There are many options from manufacturer rebates to store programs that may be able to help you save a chunk of money.
2. Chat with your Pharmacist - Your pharmacist is aware of different programs that can be used in conjunction with Medicare Part D insurance.  Talk to your pharmacist to see which program would work best for you based on the medications you are prescribed.
3. Talk to your Doc - Your doctor doesn't necessarily know what health insurance you have because there are medical billers whose jobs are to handle insurance matters.  (I know this because a good friend is one!)  Let your doctor know that you are a Medicare Part D recipient and have fallen into the donut hole. See if your brand-name prescription medications have generics that could be just as effective.  Your doctor might have some other tricks like changing your medication's strength or dosage to save you money or even hook you up with some samples to get you through to the other end of the gap.  Who doesn't love samples! 
4. Resources - National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a non-profit and advocacy organization that works with various organizations to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their community.  It offers a free service called BenefitsCheckUp.  After you answer a series of questions, it creates a personalized report of the programs that may be able to assist you in areas such as medication, food, and housing.  You can also view different State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs put together by Medicare.gov that may be able to give you a hand.
5. Talk it Out - Check out message boards or blogs to connect with people who are in the same boat you are.  It might make the process a little bit easier.  Online support can be a great resource.
6. FamilyWize - We can help Medicare recipients who have fallen into the donut hole.  If you know you won't get out, you can use FamilyWize FREE discount prescription drug card to save up to 75% on your generic medications.  FamilyWize can be used for FDA-approved medications in and out of the gap that aren't covered by Medicare when purchased at a participating pharmacy.

Whether you are in the donut hole or are able to spend enough to get catastrophic coverage,  we want to help you find options!  If you know of options that are not listed here, please share!

Krysta W.