Health briefs/calendar 10/27/05

Groups lobby for license plate

Ethan & Friends for Autism, a local not-for-profit support group for families dealing autism, is campaigning for an autism awareness license plate.

The license plate design is up for approval by the Missouri Legislature Nov. 30. Ethan & Friends founder Mike Sciortino of Cape Girardeau said the group hopes the license plates will spread awareness about autism.

For more information about purchasing a plate, contact Sciortino at jamessciortino@semo.net or 335-9221.

Red Cross plans blood drives

The American Red Cross continues to need blood donations as disaster victims require additional care, deferred elective surgeries are rescheduled, or if further emergencies arise.

Three blood drives are scheduled for the area:

Friday, from noon to 6 p.m., the city of Cape Girardeau and Mix 96.5 are sponsoring a blood drive at the Osage Community Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway. Donors will receive T-shirts.

Saturday, a blood drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ozora Country Store, Interstate 55 and exit 143. Call Debbie at 543-2280 to schedule a time to donate. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Monday, the Student Council of Saxony Lutheran High School will hold a blood drive from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Donors will receive T-shirts.

Quit smoking program readied

A smoking cessation program will begin Nov. 14 and continue to Dec. 5 at the Health and Wellness Conference Room of Saint Francis Medical Center. Classes will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The class will focus on helping tobacco abusers explore methods of quitting smoking and refrain from smoking for the long term. Traditional models of addiction and behavioral change will be presented, as well as more holistic approaches such as hypnotherapy or therapeutic touch. For information or to register, call 331-3000.

Cape MS office reopens

Amy Evans has joined the Gateway Area chapter staff of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as the new community development manager in the newly reopened regional office in Cape Girardeau. Evans previously worked in community development with the Jackson Chamber of Commerce and the American Cancer Society.

The Gateway Area Chapter supports local and national research, and offers direct programs and services to more than 5,000 persons with MS in a 90-county service area in eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. For more information, call (800) FIGHT MS or online at www.nationalmssociety.org/mos/home/.

Residents' rights seminar slated

The Missouri League for Nursing will offer a workshop, "Effective Communication and Behavior Management: When Rights and Safety Collide," Nov. 10 in the lower level classroom of the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Mo. Marty Martin, quality improvement officer of the Missouri Division of Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, will be the presenter. She will give practical ideas for respecting residents rights and assuring safety through effective communication techniques and helpful behavior management methods.

To register or for information about the number of contact hours for the course, call the MLN at (573)-635-5355.

Calendar

Today

Newborn Massage: Learn the Techniques, 10 to 11 a.m., for parents and their medically stable newborns up through the first four to six weeks. Bring a pillow, receiving blankets and the baby. Preregister at 651-5825.

"Ask Your Doctor," a weekly call-in show where medical professionals discuss health-care issues and answer phoned-in questions. Scott Gibbs, M.D., Joseph Miller, M.D. and Sam Hancock, Ph.D., will discuss the Novalis cancer treatment method. To phone in questions, call 334-3095.

Options in Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Generations Family Resource center. Interested women may sign up for this program by calling 651-5825.

Seeds of Hope, support group for people dealing with the loss of a loved one, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Saint Clare room at Saint Francis Medical Center. For information, call 331-5118.

Grief Support Group, Conference Room A, Saint Francis Education Center, 7 to 9 p.m. For information, call 651-4617.

Friday

Lifesaver class for new parents, 1 to 4 p.m., Southeast Missouri Hospital. Preregister for upcoming months at 651-5825.

Kids Bee Fit, 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Westfield West Park in the J.C. Penney wing. For ages 2 to 5. For information, call 243-2211 or 986-4406.

Romp 'n Stomp, for ages 2 to 6, Main Street Fitness Center, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m., For information call 243-2211.

Saturday

Kids Bee Fit, 10:15 a.m., Westfield West Park in the J.C. Penney Wing. For ages 2 to 5. For information, call 243-2211 or 986-4406.

Tuesday

Breast-feeding class, 3 to 5 p.m., Southeast Missouri Hospital's Family Resource Center. To preregister, call 651-5825.

Bosom buddies, support group for women who are dealing with or have had breast cancer, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. HealthPoint Plaza. For information call 651-5825.

Mended Hearts, 6 p.m., Generations Center, for heart patients and their families. For information call 651-5824.

Explorer Post 4077, 7 p.m., Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Debbie Leoni and Scott Givens will discuss "Wellness, Exercise and Nutrition." Explorer Post 4077 is for young people ages 14 to 21 interested in a career in health care.

Romp 'n Stomp, for ages 2 to 6, Main Street Fitness Center, 9 to 10 a.m. For information, call 243-2211.

Wednesday

Medicare Part D: Is it right for you? 1 to 3 p.m., Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. For information, call 651-5825.

Kids Bee Fit, 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Westfield West Park in the J.C. Penney Wing. For ages 2 to 5. For information, call 243-2211 or 986-4406.

-- From staff reports