A counselor at Los Angeles Children's Hospital, Eloah Rocha serves children in the hospital's youth activity center, where she has undertaken numerous studies on interaction between patients and siblings of hospitalized children, as well as offered family remedial therapy. When not working, Eloah Rocha has enjoyed taking time off to visit locations such as the Florida Everglades.Visitors to the Florida Everglades have a wealth of opportunities for exploring the area's spectacular natural offerings, including visiting Big Cypress National Preserve. With more than 720,000 acres, this park provides a close look at the alligators that rule the region’s swamps and line the banks of the canal along the 25-mile loop road traveling through the park.In addition to its alligator population, Big Cypress National Preserve provides habitat for other wildlife from egrets and herons to the endangered Florida panther. The park encompasses five habitats all connected by the water flowing through the region and ending in the Atlantic Ocean.Visitors can participate in programs led by National Park Service staff, or explore on their own. Other options include camping at sites through the preserve.
The recipient of a bachelor's degree in child psychology from Boulder University, Eloah Rocha has worked as a youth counselor with the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital since 2004. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Eloah Rocha often helps organize breast cancer fund-raising events.A recent study published in the medical journal PLoS One led by Creighton University nursing professor Joan Lappe suggests that high levels of vitamin D might contribute to a reduction in breast cancer risk for women. Researchers involved studied data from more than 5,000 women older than 55 and noticed that those who had at least 60 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of vitamin D in their blood were at an 80 percent lower risk for breast cancer than women with 20 ng/mL or less. While the study doesn't prove increased vitamin D levels prevent breast cancer, Lappe stressed that it provides support for vitamin D as a vital beneficial health measure.Eating well and living a healthy lifestyle can also decrease risk factors, but the study, as well as others, has highlighted the value of a high vitamin D level. If you're concerned about taking in too much sunlight, supplement your vitamin D intake through tablets and capsules. The Vitamin D Council suggests adults should maintain a daily intake of 5,000 IUs of vitamin D per day.
