Smokers asked to quit for a day on Thursday

The 34th annual Great American Smokeout, which encourages people across the country to give up smoking for one day is Thursday.

"It is the hope that if people can quit for a day, then they can quit for life," said Christine Sass, Director of the Tobacco Free Community Partnership and Wellness Programs for Hampshire County.

CDH seeks volunteers for several clinical trials

Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton is seeking volunteers to participate in a variety of clinical trials. The first set will include studies of Vitamin D levels, heart failure and seven cancer-related trials.

Healthy Switch

A simple change may do you good.

Just because you don't drink red wine doesn't mean you can't reap its cardiovascular rewards.

Check It Out: Valley health happenings

BLOOD DRIVES

Two blood drives will be held in the area this week. The dates are:

 · Thursday, at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Baystate Health Blood Donor Mobile will be parked behind the hospital near the entrance to the Medical Office Building at 51 Sanderson St.

Health Briefs

Following is a list of upcoming health events scheduled in the area.

Blame it on the flu: Fears of illness spurring changes in public interactions across Valley

It's far too early to write the history of the swine flu in the Valley, but already, concerns about the new strain are bringing changes in public behaviors in the region. In this space today, Gazette contributing writers Dylan Klempner and Mareva Lindo look at a few of them.

Boosting immunity: Some health-product makers cutting back on claims

Airborne, the popular dietary supplement created by a germ-averse schoolteacher, no longer boasts that it can prevent your cold or ease the aggravating symptoms. Instead, the packaging says the effervescent pill helps "support your immune system."