CHIP Participants Celebrate A Healthier Life With Wednesday Ceremony

RICHLAND, Wash. —  Dale and Janeen Denham have lost weight, lowered their blood pressure, and will find out Wednesday how far their cholesterol has dropped since starting the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) program.
 
Sponsored by Kadlec Regional Medical Center and Washington State University Tri-Cities, CHIP teaches how lifestyle changes can lead to significant health improvements. It’s designed for those struggling with — or wanting to prevent — heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and adult-onset diabetes.
 
The Denhams are among 68 people who will graduate from the eight-week CHIP program at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Kadlec Regional Medical Center, 888 Swift Blvd., Richland — use the entrance on Stevens Drive. The CHIP event is on the third floor of the Mountain Pavilion, in the Columbia Rooms.
 
“We know not everyone in the class has taken it to the same degree that we have, but we know that everyone is trying,” Dale Denham said.
 
The group results will be reported at Wednesday’s graduation, along with individual recognitions for highest LDL cholesterol drop, greatest weight loss, and more accomplishments. The ceremony also showcases a few participants giving their testimonials about their personal experiences with the program. 
 
“A year ago I had an emergency stint — I was not even aware that I had any heart issues. It was one year ago on Halloween,” Denham said. “When we saw the CHIP program, my wife said, ‘We’re going to do this,’ and I said, ‘Yes, we’re going to do it together. Let’s see what we can do for ourselves.’”
 
The Denhams now describe themselves as vegetarian and are working their way toward vegan. “We’d never even thought about living without cheese, meat or eggs. We just cold-turkey cut that out,” Denham said, adding that he’s the household chef. “I found a recipe in the newspaper last week for a sweet potato chili. I’m taking that to a church potluck.”
 
CHIP sessions are held each spring and fall. The next class begins Jan. 19 and meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday for seven weeks. The early bird registration discount through Jan. 8 is $300 per person or $425 for a couple. Space is limited. Information sessions will be held the first week in January. To register or for more details, call CHIP Co-Director Kay Langevin, RN, in the Kadlec CardioPulmonary Rehab at 627-6258.
 
There are about 500 CHIP program graduates in the Tri-City region and 40,000 graduates worldwide. See www.chipusa.org or www.tricity.wsu.edu/chip for more details on the health education program.