Alana's Foundation Announces 2012 Community Influenza Clinics

Alana’s Foundation, a local 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission supports educating the public about the importance of yearly influenza (flu) vaccinations, is pleased to announce their 2012 Community Influenza Clinic schedule.

In January 2009, Alana’s Foundation was created in memory of Alana Yaksich by her father, Zachary Yaksich and family members. Alana, a healthy West Bloomfield kindergartener, was only 5 ½ when she died of influenza in February 2003.

Since 2004, the foundation, in partnership with The Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan, has been hosting annual seasonal influenza clinics at area community outreach locations. This year includes a stop at the West Bloomfield Fire Department, Station 5, Open House, on Sunday October 7, initiated by the two paramedics that attended to Alana the night she went to the hospital.

“The West Bloomfield Fire Department is proud to support Alanaʼs Foundation and its mission to educate the public on the importance of annual influenza immunizations. Keeping Alanaʼs dream of “rainbows all over the world” becomes more of a reality with each immunization”, says Captain Greg Flynn, EMS Coordinator for the West Bloomfield Fire Department and a first responder on Alanaʼs call.

A list of all clinic locations to date include:

• Monday, October 1, 2012: Mercy High School, Farmington Hills from 12:30 am – 3:30 pm for
• students and student families
• Tuesday, October 2, 2012: Detroit Catholic Central, Novi from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm for
• students, 2:45 pm – 4:00 pm for student families
• Thursday, October 7, 2012: West Bloomfield Fire Department - Station 5, West Bloomfield, from
• 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Open to the public
• Tuesday, October 9, 2012: Doyle Center, Bloomfield Hills from 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm. Open to the
• public

All Clinics are open to the public for ages 6 months and up (with the exception of Mercy and Detroit Catholic Central - students and student families only). Children and Adolescents through age 17 require a signed parental consent.

Flu shots ($25), will be available at each location. VNA accepts Medicare Part B, BCN (HMO), HAP (except Cigna), Priority Health, HealthPlus of Michigan, and most Blue Cross Plans. For specific insurance or vaccination related questions, please contact VNA at 248-967-8755.

“We urge all parents and family members to please take the flu seriously,” says Zachary Yaksich, Alana’s father and foundation president. “We never knew the flu could kill until we lost Alana. A simple yearly vaccination will help protect you and your family from this potentially deadly virus and the pain of losing a child. It is our hope that these clinics will make it easier for everyone who wants to receive a shot has convenient access to getting one.”