Health briefs 10/30

Training available for end-of-life care

A program designed to educate physicians and health-care professionals about the needs of patients during end-of-life care will be presented Nov. 7 through 9 at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo.

The program is sponsored by Health Facilities Management Corp. and is supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The curriculum is designed by the American Medical Association.

The project's goal is to help provide doctors with the basic knowledge and skills needed to care for dying patients. It teaches skills in communication, ethical decision-making, pain and palliative care.

The "Train the Trainer" program is being offered for the first time in Southeast Missouri. It includes continuing education credits for health-care workers and is suitable for clergy, social workers and lawyers, as well.

There is no charge to attend the program. For information and registration details, contact Judy Sewell at Health Facilities Management Corp. at (573) 471-1276.

Dining with diabetes classes available

A three-session cooking program designed for people with diabetes will be offered in Jackson during the month of November. Sessions are from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 5, 12 and 26 at the university outreach and extension office in Jackson.

The program is designed to help people recently diagnosed with diabetes to adjust their cooking. With a focus on healthy adjustments to recipes, portion sizes and food choices, the class will examine how to make dietary changes for diabetics.

Each cooking session will focus on desserts, main dishes or side dishes and recipes and tasting will be available. Advanced registration is required by Oct. 28, and can be made by calling the Cape Girardeau County Extension Center at 243-3581.

Dig for Life raises funds for cancer awareness

The Southeast Missouri State University women's volleyball team has helped raise nearly $10,000 for breast cancer awareness with its Dig for Life program.

Team members get pledges for each "dig" or dive they take to hit a ball or score during a game. The digs are tallied throughout October -- which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month -- and then pledges are collected.

The money collected has been allocated to St. Francis Medical Center for its role in helping raise breast cancer awareness and encourage mammograms. The funds will help women throughout Southeast Missouri.

Coach Cindy Gannon founded Dig for Life three years ago after her mother died from breast cancer.

Program deals with struggles of diabetes

St. Francis Medical Center is holding a health event Nov. 6 that focuses on the struggles of people living with diabetes.

"Diabetes Dialogue: Hope for the Future" will be at 6:15 p.m. in the Franciscan Room and features a live satellite broadcast.

Guest speakers are actress Phylicia Rashad and Dr. William Polonsky, a diabetes expert.

The broadcast will offer strategies to overcome diabetes burnout. The event is sponsored in part by a grant from GlaxoSmithKline. For information, call the hospital's education center at 331-5071.

-- From staff reports