The Cancer Services Programs of Albany and Rensselaer counties teamed up with American Cancer Society and St. Peter’s Health Care Partners to provide free cancer screenings to men and women in the local community.

The free screenings offered will be mammograms and Pap tests for women ages 40 and older and colorectal screenings for men and women ages 50 and older.

There will also be free screenings for uninsured residents provided through the Cancer Services Program year round at St. Peter’s Health Partners.

If you live in Albany or Rensselaer County and would like to make an appointment, please call 454-4013. If you live outside Albany County, please call the Cancer Services Program at 1-866-422-CANCER (2262) to find a screening near you. 

The Capital District Center for Independence (CDCI) will host a free seminar on improving nutrition, diet and eating habits by hosting “Ketchup is not a Vegetable” on Thursday, May 3 from 3 to 4 p.m. The event will take place at the center located at 845 Central Avenue in Albany.

According to a statement, the free and interactive workshop will get people started and provide strategies to reduce mindless eating.

“Most of us know a number of things we could be doing to improve our health and energy level. However, we don’t always know where to start or how to make some of these changes,” said CDCI Executive Director Laurel Kelley. “This interactive workshop will help you to take stock of where you are and set some individual goals and strategies to help get you from here to there.”

Sandra Varno, MS, RD, CDN, Resource Educator at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County will speak at the seminar.

 The Beltrone Senior Living Center in Colonie unveiled the Al'z Cafe.

Once a month the cafe will be reserved for Alzheimer's patient, their family and friends. There'll be refreshments, entertainment and education in a venue that's welcoming to people with moderate to advanced Alzheimer's Disease- that's because it can be challenging for them to go out in traditional, social settings.

" It holds a stigma, even to this day and people are fearful of other people that are" says Raema MItchell, the cafe coordinator. " And the family's a little wary, you know, they don't want someone to wander off. Or they maybe even be embarrassed and that's why the cafe exists, for those people."