Nurse Teresa Giamboy, administrative director for Jefferson Health Northeast, spoke at last week’s East Torresdale Civic Association meeting, specifically addressing Jefferson Torresdale’s advanced lung care program.
Giamboy told the crowd that insurance covers lung care screenings for people ages 50-80 who are current or former smokers and show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer.
Nine out of 10 cases of lung cancer are related to tobacco, Giamboy said. The rest are related to genetics and the workplace, she added.
Giamboy said smoking rates are down, but lung cancer rates have not dropped, attributing this to environmental reasons. She also said vaping is more dangerous than smoking, adding that recreational pot smoking can increase the chance of developing lung cancer.
Jefferson offers pulmonary rehabilitation, a lung module clinic, a robotic bronchoscopy program, robotic thoracic surgery and a minimally invasive procedure to improve breathing.
Call 215-890-SKCC.
In other news from the March 11 meeting:
• State Sen. Jimmy Dillon addressed the crowd, giving his background as a graduate of Our Lady of Calvary, Holy Ghost Prep (class of 1996) and Notre Dame.
“I’m all about Northeast Philly,” he said.
He’s Democratic leader of Ward 66-A, a position formerly held by his dad and brother. For 17 years, he’s operated the Hoops 24-7 Basketball Academy, a clinic and player development program.
Among his top issues are safety, quality of life and addressing the lack of police manpower. He has spoken to Gov. Josh Shapiro about the old building and trailers used as offices at the Fire Academy.
The senator will hold a senior expo on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at MaST Community Charter School III, 1 Crown Way. Call 215-281-2539 or email Dillon@pasenate.com.
Dillon’s office at 12361 Academy Road has a representative from the Veterans Multi-Service Center on the second Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• ETCA approved, 18-8, a variance for a vehicle repair and maintenance shop at 9901 Frankford Ave., the former home of a 7-Eleven and a kitchen and bath store. There will be four bays. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m, Monday through Saturday. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing will be on March 27.
• Nazareth Academy senior Bridget Olsen, a Torresdale resident, earned a full, four-year scholarship to Holy Family. She will study nursing. She was chosen based on academics and community involvement. The scholarship is part of a community benefits agreement among the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, Holy Family and NewCourtland, for redevelopment of the former Liddonfield Homes housing project.
• The office of City Councilman Mike Driscoll can provide information on Veterans Affairs and Medicare issues. Call 215-683-9920.
• Some residents complained that nothing is being done about large puddles that form on Grant Avenue, near the Torresdale Train Station, after rainfall.
• East Torresdale Civic Association will meet on Monday, April 1, at 7 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 9601 Frankford Ave. The meeting after that will be on May 13, when the group will hold its annual cookie and baking contest. ••
