Public Health Initiative:  Preventative Health

We are delighted to launch this new Public Health Initiative to bring reliable, accurate, and timely information on contemporary health issues.  This will be an ongoing series of presentations by respected, well-established, local health professionals.  The series will be held on the third Wednesday of every month, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Yonkers Public Library, Larkins Center, Yonkers.  Admission is free, and open to the public.  
Public Health Initiative: Preventative Health Krishnan Chittur 2023-05-05 04:00:00Z 0

Friendship Exchange to Israel

Exciting opportunity to make new friends, build lasting relationships abroad, and learn another culture while having fun visiting another country!
Our Club has organized this Friendship Exchange, a unique way to promote cultural understanding and help Rotarians build international network of friends - and even business partners - by exchanging teams between Rotary Clubs/Districts in different parts of the world. Instead of visiting a foreign country/city as typical stranger-tourists, Team members stay with local Rotarians, sharing their home and their family life. Sightseeing, logistics, and other aspects of the visit are jointly decided, with invaluable input from local Rotarians - much better than flying blind into a foreign country! https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/friendship-exchange.
The Team, comprising of upto five Rotarians with a possible adult companion each, i.e., a maximum total of 10 persons, to Israel is tentatively scheduled to leave on the first week of March. The trip will last 7-10 days; Team members may choose to spend more time in Israel at their own expense. Participating Rotarians bear their own airfare, medical insurance and personal expenses; hosting local Rotarians will provide lodging, boarding and transportation. Reciprocally, each Team member is expected to host, or arrange for hosting, a Rotarian guest couple from Israel when the reciprocal Friendship Exchange Team from Israel visits us.
This is extremely meaningful and fulfilling in terms of cultural and international understanding, and leads to long-term relationships. What a breathtaking difference from the usual made-for-tourist filter through which we usually get to see places!
Only five Rotarians can partake in this Exchange, and will be selected on a first come-first serve basis. Interest is expected to be very high, so if you’re interested, let us know asap by email at rotaryhudsonvalley@gmail.com.
Friendship Exchange to Israel Krishnan S Chittur 2022-07-18 04:00:00Z 0

Public Health Initiative - Breast Cancer Lesion Detection Outreach Phase 3
 

We finished the third phase of our iBreast Exam outreach in Yonkers on October 23, and October 30, 2021, at the Yonkers YMCA.  We intend continuing this program, and will announce further details shortly.  So, if you missed the earlier outreach programs, stay tuned NOW! 
 
Earlier, about 200 tests were conducted by specially trained iBreastExam testers on from May 22 to August 7, 2021, in two phases. The first phase was held in United Community Center in New Rochelle, from May 22 - June 12. The second phase was held in the Kiley Youth Center in Peekskill from July 17 to August 7. The Rotary Club of Peekskill was a partner in the second phase. A HUGE thanks to every one - Rotarians and non-Rotarians, including the medical team led by Dr. Castaldi and her hand-picked team from Westchester Medical Center.
The dedication and commitment of Rotarians was commendable! Tireless efforts embodying "Service Above Self!
Public Health Initiative - Breast Cancer Lesion Detection Outreach Phase 3  Krishnan Chittur 2021-11-07 04:00:00Z 0

Public Health Initiative

We just completed the Fourth Phase of our Outreach in September.  This phase was conducted jointly with Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center at the Yonkers Public Library, The Larkin Center, in Yonkers.  We conducted eight (8) outreaches, based on an innovative, FDA-cleared device, iBreastExam, which is based on tactile sensing technology, and  is (a) non-invasive, (b) portable, (c) radiation-free, and (d) gives results in minutes. https://vimeo.com/bravemakers/review/731006312/041106581bRead more

Earlier, we had conducted nine (9) outreaches in three phases:  four outreaches in United Community Center in New Rochelle, from May 22 - June 12, 2021; three in the Kiley Youth Center in Peekskill from July 17 to August 7, 2021, with the The Rotary Club of Peekskill as a partner, and on September 23 and 30 in Yonkers YMCA, Yonkers.  These were supervised by Dr. Maria Castaldi, Chief of Breast Cancer Surgery in Westchester Medical Center.  We have screened over 400 women in these outreaches, largely minorities.
 
A HUGE "Thank you!" to all the Rotarians and Non-Rotarians who participated in this massive Public Health Initiative and made it a success!  True Rotarians, living upto our motto, "Service Above Self".
 
We intend continuing this program, and will announce further details shortly.  So, if you missed the earlier outreach programs, stay tuned NOW!  If you would like a similar outreach in your area, email us:  Rotaryhudsonvalley@gmail.com   
Public Health Initiative Krishnan Chittur 2021-09-24 04:00:00Z 0
Breast Cancer Lesion Screening: Second Phase in Peekskill Krishnan Chittur 2021-07-10 04:00:00Z 0

Breast Cancer Lesion Screening:  First Phase Completed!

We completed the first phase of the much-heralded Public Health Initiative, an outreach program for early detection of breast cancer lesions based on an innovative new device, iBreastExam.  United Community Center of Westchester hosted this outreach at its premises in New Rochelle, New York.  Dr. Maria Castaldi, Head of Breast Cancer Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, and her hand-picked medical team conducted the tests from May 22 - June 12, 2021.  Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and fears, we tested and gave follow-up instructions to 96 women.  This was our first project, and illustrates our dedicated, dynamic, and action-oriented Club!
 
https://www.facebook.com/HudsonValleyRotary/videos/490890608656005/
 
Breast Cancer Lesion Screening: First Phase Completed! Krishnan Chittur 2021-06-25 04:00:00Z 0

First Phase  Completed:  Outreach for Breast Cancer Lesion Screening

We completed the first phase of the much-heralded Public Health Initiative, an outreach program for early detection of breast cancer lesions based on an innovative new device, iBreastExam.  United Community Center of Westchester hosted this outreach at its premises in New Rochelle, New York.  Dr. Maria Castaldi, Head of Breast Cancer Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, and her hand-picked medical team conducted the tests from May 22 - June 12, 2021.  Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and fears, we tested and gave follow-up instructions to 96 women.  This was our first project, and illustrates our dedicated, dynamic, and action-oriented Club!
 
First Phase Completed: Outreach for Breast Cancer Lesion Screening KC 2021-06-21 04:00:00Z 0

Outreach for Screening of Breast Cancer Lesions With iBreastExam

We are delighted that we completed the first phase of the Outreach program.  We tested about 100 women for breast cancer lesion in an outreach project hosted by the United Community Center, 360 North Avenue, New Rochelle, NY.  Congratulations to our team that made it happen!
Outreach for Screening of Breast Cancer Lesions With iBreastExam KC 2021-06-21 04:00:00Z 0

Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic

An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick.

This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year.

The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic.

Photo by Edwin J. McCullagh, 1931-32 club president. Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Berkeley.

Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0

Rotary at the Start of the United Nations

Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.

During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. 

Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.” 

 

Rotary at the Start of the United Nations 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0

History of Women in Rotary

Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary.
 
 “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01. 
 
The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings.
History of Women in Rotary 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0

Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle

Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.”

Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0

First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia

In early 1919, Rotarian Roger Pinneo of Seattle, Washington, USA, traveled to the Philippines to try to organize a Rotary club in Manila. Leon J. Lambert, a Manila business leader helped Pinneo establish the club. Several months later, on 1 June 1919, the Rotary Club of Manila was chartered and became the first Rotary club in Asia.

The club would be the only one in the country for more than 12 years. Eventually, Manila club members organized Rotary clubs in the Philippine cities of Cebu (1932) and Iloilo (1933). Iloilo club members then started a club in Bacolod (1937), and Rotary continued to expand across the country.

First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0