<b>LoCo Motion becomes </b><b>Pledge The Pink</b>

Are you ready to do the LoCo Motion again? Then get ready for some big changes in the 2017 edition.

This year, the venerable fitness challenge, which brought thousands of pink-clad runners and walkers to Callawassie Island in 2016, makes its return with one huge difference.

Rather than simply “Doing the LoCo Motion,” the small army that descends on the Lowcountry will be Pledging the Pink.

The name change from LoCo Motion to Pledge The Pink came about as the inevitable result of the community’s home-grown footrace gaining a massive global appeal and reach.

“We started offering ‘virtual LoCo’ last year, allowing people to join our race and do the 30 miles in their own hometown,” said event founder Laura Morgan. “As that grew, we realized that this wasn’t just the Lowcountry’s event. We sent medals and race swag to people all across the planet, and we unknowingly created a world-wide event.”

That also means more money raised for the cause, the majority of which goes to Lowcountry breast care providers for screening and clinical research.

Hollings Cancer Center was one of the 2016 beneficiaries and received $40,000 from the event.

The 2017 event is Sept. 21-24 and registration is now open at www.pledgethepink.com.

<b>TCL now accepting </b><b>fall applications</b>

The Technical College of the Lowcountry is now accepting applications for fall entry into its health sciences programs that include massage therapy, nursing, physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, surgical technology and medical assisting.

Applications are due by Tuesday, April 18.

“Entry into TCL’s health sciences programs is highly competitive, so it’s best to start the application process early,” Health Sciences Dean Glenn Levicki said.

Health Sciences students experience on-campus learning using high-tech simulation equipment and receive additional hands-on practice at clinical sites located throughout Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties.

By combining classroom and clinical education, TCL health sciences programs truly prepare students for their careers. Plus, TCL students perform exceptionally well on licensing exams – each program boasts pass rates higher than the national average.

Employment in healthcare occupations is expected to grow 19 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average. Over this same time about 2.3 million new healthcare jobs will be added, more than any other group of occupations. This expected growth is due to an aging population and because more individuals have access to health insurance, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Call 843-525-8267 for more information, or visit www.tcl.edu/pathways/health-sciences.

<b>Diabetes workshops </b><b>offered in March</b>

A free Diabetes Self-Management workshop for Medicare beneficiaries will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays in March. Each session will cover a new topic. The sessions will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 157 Lady’s Island Drive in Beaufort. To register or for more information, call 800-922-3089, ext. 7585.