- Written by: Jennifer King
- Category: Press Room
CANTON, Georgia — Superheroes of all ages took to the trails of Etowah River Park and Heritage Park in Canton this October for the 11th Annual Express Your SuperPower 5K/10K, hosted by the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition and the Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition. In this season of thanks, organizers say they could not be more grateful for the incredible community that continues to power this event year after year.
This fun-filled event united families, friends, and fitness enthusiasts in a powerful show of support for the health and well-being of Georgia’s youngest citizens. Participants ran, walked, and cheered in true superhero spirit—caped, costumed, and committed to the cause!
Racing for a Remarkable Cause
Proceeds from this year’s race once again benefited the MedMilk Project: Building Georgia’s Milk Bank, an initiative dedicated to establishing a fully functioning milk bank in Georgia. The funds raised will help ensure that fragile infants who cannot receive milk from their biological mothers still have access to safe, donor human milk—providing them with life-sustaining nutrition and immune protection during their earliest days.
Quote from Event Leadership
“Every cape on this course represents a family, a story, and a community that believes every baby deserves the best start. In our 11th year, the energy and generosity of our runners are helping build Georgia’s milk bank through the MedMilk Project—turning miles into meals for our most vulnerable infants. We’re profoundly grateful to everyone who showed up, sponsored, and volunteered to make that possible.”
— Carol Hendrix, Breastfeeding Coordinator, North Georgia Health District, and member of the Northwest Georgia Breastfeeding Coalition
Winners and Race Results
Runners were recognized for their outstanding achievements with awards presented to the top Overall Male and Female Finishers, Overall Masters Male and Female Winners, and in standard age group categories ranging from 10 and under to 80 and over.
See the Overall Winners of the 2025 Express Your SuperPower event in the chart below. Complete race results and Finish Line video can be found online:
- Hits: 581
- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
We will be CLOSED on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in honor of Veterans Day. This applies to our district office in Dalton and all public health departments, programs, and services – including WIC and Environmental Health – in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield counties. This also includes The Living Bridge Center clinics in Canton, Dalton, and Gainesville.Many THANKS to ALL Who Have Served!
--- En Español ---
Estaremos CERRADOS el martes 11 de noviembre de 2025 en honor al DÍA DE LOS VETERANOS. Esto se aplica a nuestra oficina distrital en Dalton y a todos los departamentos de salud pública, programas y servicios – incluyendo WIC y Salud Ambiental – en los condados de Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens y Whitfield. Esto también incluye las clínicas de The Living Bridge Center en Canton, Dalton y Gainesville.
¡Muchas GRACIAS a TODOS los que han servido!
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Press Room
7 Ways to Be Safe and Healthy This Halloween
Don’t let your health get tricked this Halloween! Here are 7 tips straight from the CDC to stay safe and healthy!
1. Get Moving
Carve out time to be active this Halloween – between get-togethers and trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Take a walk and do some weight training to help you feel good!
Regular physical activity can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, improve mental health and mood, and increase your chance of living longer.
2. Eat Well
Don’t spend this Halloween filling up on junk food and sweets. Give yourself and your guests healthier choices and nutritious treats.
Fruits and vegetables are part of a well-balanced and healthy eating plan. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are important for good health.
3. Keep Your Bite Healthy
Keep Halloween candy at bay. Care for teeth the right way – brush with a fluoride toothpaste each and every day.
Tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning.
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- Written by: Jennifer King, Public Information Officer
- Category: Media Releases
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Flu Vaccination Still Available at All County Health Departments
North, GA – Hundreds of North Georgians “cruised through” this year’s Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinics at county health departments across the district—rolling in for protection and rolling out with peace of mind!
This fall, our local public health teams provided a total of 599 flu vaccinations during these drive-thru events, distributed as follows:
- Cherokee County: 83
- Fannin County: 102
- Gilmer County: 42
- Murray County: 114
- Whitfield County: 258
Residents in Pickens County were encouraged to schedule appointments directly at the health department in Jasper.
Flu Shots Still Available
If you missed a drive-thru clinic, it’s not too late! Flu vaccines are available now at all six county health departments in the North Georgia Health District: Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield.
Contact information for each location is available at www.nghd.org.
Protect Yourself & Others
Getting a flu shot is the best way to guard against influenza—but it’s only one layer of protection. To help reduce the spread of flu, public health experts also recommend:
- Get vaccinated—everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot each year.
- Practice good hand hygiene—wash hands often with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes—use a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Stay home if you’re sick—to prevent spreading the flu to others.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces—especially high-touch areas.
Why It Matters
According to the CDC, flu vaccination helps prevent illness, reduces missed work and school days, lowers the risk of hospitalization, and protects vulnerable family members—like infants, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions.
“Every flu shot makes a difference—for you, your family, and your community,” said Robin Coffey, BSN, RN, District Immunization Coordinator. “Even if you couldn’t attend a drive-thru clinic, it’s not too late to fuel your immunity. Contact your local health department today.”
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- WE'RE CLOSED MONDAY, OCT. 13, FOR THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY
- WIC is Still HERE for You!
- Murray County Health Department Closed Thurs., 10/2, and Fri., 10/3
- Celebrating Excellence: Wendy Scoggins Named Environmental Health All-Star for District 1-2
- Realtors Invited to “Septic System and the Home” Class this Fall
- IT'S TIME for Breast Cancer Awareness & Screening, North Georgians!
- Cruise Through a Drive-Thru Flu Shot Clinic Near You this October
- 11th Annual “Express Your SuperPower” 5K/10K, Fun Run, and Tot Trot Set for October 4 in Canton
- North Georgia Health District Reminds Residents: “Preparedness Starts at Home” This National Preparedness Month
- CLOSED LABOR DAY, Mon. Sept. 1st
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