Wendell Pierce: Courage Has No Color
Stunning Images From Artists Of The Black Power Movement
Children are now back in the full swing of the fall school schedule but Phoenix Sun's Grant Hill is trying to warn kids and families about methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a potentially life-threatening antibiotic resistant Staph infection that is becoming increasingly common in places like locker rooms, gyms and schools. It affects more than 90,000 Americans every year, according to the STOP MRSA Now organization."When I was diagnosed with an MRSA infection, it was hard to get information about the illness or even how to help prevent the spread of it," Hill said. "This infection is becoming an issue in community settings across the country and that is why, as an athlete and a father, I am joining STOP MRSA Now to offer a playbook on prevention so that everyone can get in the game to help reduce the spread of MRSA."
Athletes like Browns receiver Braylon Edwards, Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, Celtics forward Paul Pierce, and Cavaliers forward Drew Gooden have all been infected with MRSA. Although there still isn't much info on MRSA, Hill is asking families to visit http://www.stopmrsanow.org to get the STOP MRSA Now Playbook to keep loved ones safe from the infection.
"People can carry MRSA without any symptoms and can transmit MRSA to others, especially in community settings," said Everly Macario, a STOP MRSA Now member, whose healthy 1 1/2 year-old son, Simon Sparrow, died suddenly in 2004 from MRSA. "That is why we owe it to our children, families, and communities to learn more about MRSA and how to reduce the spread of it."
Past and Present Olympic Torch and Flag Bearers
Rafer Johnson, world record holder in the Decathlon, was a member of the U.S. track and field Olympic team. He is the first black ever to be named to carry the American flag on August 25, 1960.
Jim Pringle, AP
Lopez Lomong, flag-bearer of the U.S. Olympic team, marches during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, August 8, 2008. The stadium is also known as the Bird's Nest.
Dylan Martinez , Reuters
Supermodel Naomi Campbell carries the Olympic torch on August 13, 2004 for the 2004 Olympic Games held in Athens, Greece.
Constantinois Georgopoulos, AtHoc/Getty Images
Torch bearer and entertainer Sean Combs carries the Olympic Flame during Day 15 of the Athens 2004 Olympic Torch Relay on June 19, 2004 in New York, New York, USA. The Olympic Flame traveled to 34 cities in 27 countries en route to the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Todd Warshaw, Getty Images
Coretta Scott King (L), widow of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, passes the Olympic Flame to her son Dexter Scott King on July 19, 1996 in Atlanta. The Kings were part of the relay that has taken the flame around Atlanta before the opening ceremonies later on July 19th.
Michel Gangne, AFP/Getty Images
Boxer Evander Holyfield carries the Olympic flame with Voula Patoulidou of Greece during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremonies in Atlanta on Friday, July 19, 1996.
Eric Draper, AP
Dawn Staley, the two-time women's basketball gold medalist, leads the U.S. delegation with the Star & Stripes during the during the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games on August 13, 2004 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Adrian Dennis, AFP/Getty Images
Former heavyweight boxing champion and 1960 Olympic gold medalist Mohamed Ali lights the flame on July 19, 1996 at the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta during the opening ceremony of the Centennial Olympic Games.
Omar Torres, AFP/Getty Images
Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers carry the Olympic Flag into the stadium for the Closing Ceremony of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games at the Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2002.
Brian Bahr, Getty Images
Gail Devers, three-time Olympian, carries the Olympic Flame during the 2004 Olympic Torch Relay in Atlanta, Georgia USA on June 18, 2004.
Brenda J. Turner, WireImage.com
Comments: (21)
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By: Marguerite - momsherbs on 9/09/2008 12:39PM
Grant Hill needs to learn about this awesome natural product called Silver Shield that kills MRSA and other infections and viruses.
It is good to know he is getting the message out to students.
http://www.mynsp.com/motherknowsbest/products/guide.aspx?stockNum=4274
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By: Badbns on 9/11/2008 12:01AM
Good job, Grant Hill!
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By: Yatforever on 9/11/2008 6:28PM
A class act. An extremely admirable individual, one whose career after playing basketball I'll follow avidly.
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By: Gregory McCowan on 9/14/2008 2:38AM
Heroes do what hero should do , by lending a helping hand to those who need us !!! DON`T LOOK FOR HERO B-1!
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By: doris kelly on 9/15/2008 6:30AM
I think it's a wonderful act of kindness for Grant Hill to take the time and energy to offer information to the general public to help eliminate a terrible , seemingly unseen and unknown disease. More people in power and wealth should do the same .
KUDOS AND THANKS TO HIM !
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By: Cynthia on 9/15/2008 9:31AM
My 3 year old grandson almost died after getting MRSA in the hospital.
Hospitals are at the top of the list for spreading MRSA. People should educate themselves on what to look out for when you put your life and love ones in the hands of someone else.
Hospitals spread MRSA from room to room.
Never let the people taking your blood put their equipment on your bed of overbed table that has been placed on everyone's bed before yours.
I avoid letting the housekeeping people mop my grandsons room because they were using the same mop from room to room.
Cleaning rags as well help in the spread of this and other deseases when they clean your room.
Watch out for the beds and how well they're cleaned prior to you using them as well as the bathroom facility.
In the area where I live the patient turnover is great and the rooms are not properly cleaned.
Get that Dr, Nurse, and anyone that has to touch you to wash their hands first.
When that nurse changes that central line that goes into your neck, they must wear a mask. They will say they don't but they do.
Most of the hospitals use temporary staff and don't follow the proper protocal to prevent the spread of MRSA in the hospital. You as a patient must also educate yourself and protect yourself.
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By: Here4good on 9/15/2008 9:46AM
Cynthia, your story is alarming. I have an 8 year old son who always gets bumps and bruises being a typical boy. If I have any antibiotic cream to put on his wound I will, but if I don't I won't worry about it. When I grew up scrapes and scars were no big deal and we never used bandaids or anything like that. After reading this article and your story I will be more careful about the "typical bumps and bruises of childhood".
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By: Sherman on 9/15/2008 11:42AM
Hey Grant,
There ia a company that markets and sells a 100% natural Herbal drinks that can help you with this type of infection...check out www.herbalhope.net
If you personally would like to get more information about it email me and I will help you
This company has a great prodcut for AIDS and Cancer..
I look forward to your response
Sincerely,
Sherman
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By: anderson on 9/15/2008 2:10PM
my mom recently died in England and i slept on the hospital bed brought into her home.not sure this is how i contracted the mrsa bacteria but i got this terrible boil like pimple first in my nose and later in my groin area. i did not know what it was, so i came back to the USA earlier than planned -made an appt w my doc and what a shock i got---MRSA-what is it? it is not a good thing-he recomended a strong antibioctic and MUPIROCIN OINTMENT--THEY BOTH HELPED . i have been educating my clients and family /friends about it eversince--the secret is out,it is very deadly when it enters your blood stream--be careful it looks like a bad pimple or boil and can spread from touch,I AM PROUD OF GRANT HILL FOR HELPING TO SPREAD THE WORD.
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By: pam on 9/15/2008 3:27PM
Ah, Cynthia is so right about the hospitals..
but she forgot to mention when she goes to the cafe picks up that tray, or Serving Spoon, soda machines,or push that button on the elevator,or that phone in the family waiting room, this MRAS staph. is just sitting there waiting for it's next victim.Trust Me, ITS REAL! Can't see it and can't smell it and ..list goes on & on! How bout them Groc. Carts at the Stores, or how about that dress,pants,shoes, you just tried on. if someone has MRSA, and has an open sore/cut/athelte feet,your are bound to get it, MRSA Staph Infection has no real symtoms until it Attacks! each person has different symptoms, fevers, swelling for no cause, alot of mucus from the nose,coughing,a dibetic and person on Kidney Dialis is PRON to catch MRSA Faster than anyone else..their Amune systoms is down.. Its a bactira that grows inside, even inside of your NOSE, and it FEEDS off of Antibodics.
damn if we do, damn if we don't! The way they check for MRSA is swap the nose, and blood work.
My 49yr old brother just passed away 8/15/2008 started with MRSA of his knee,he had that oper on and they said they got it all! NOT ! 6mths later, it attacked his Lungs.. by the time they found where the MRSA was feeding from , it was to late. He passed away.. Not to Scare anyone. But Wash your hands for 30seconds with soap and water, use a hand santizier when you can't use soap n water, and NEVER Try on someone elses clothes..it's in the GYM,GROC STores,Dept Stores,DayCare,Nursing Homes,Hosp,JAILS,
SCHOOLS,Resturant..etc.. this is no joke. take all precautions, SERIOUS! use bleach, dilute it with a little water to wash your home,the kids toys, adult toys, list goes on. Carry Hand Santizer with YOU!!
Thank You,from Maryland ..
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