Health briefs/calendar 11/3/05

Briefly

High schools organize upcoming blood drives

During November, area high schools are organizing blood drives. Cheryl Klueppel, donor recruitment account manager for the American Red Cross, says the organization appreciates the effort student leaders are making by organizing blood drives.

Not only do blood drives teach students civic responsibility and the importance of regularly giving blood, she said, most importantly students save lives.

Schools with upcoming blood drives are:

* Notre Dame Regional High School, today, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Cape Central High School, Nov. 16, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Fredericktown High School, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Ste. Genevieve High School, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Valle Catholic High School, Ste. Genevieve, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

* Zalma High School, Nov. 30, 2 to 6 p.m.

Point to Point 5K event scheduled for Saturday

The second annual Point to Point 5K event will begin promptly at 8 a.m. Saturday at the HealthPoint Fitness Center. Events will include a 1.5-mile walk/run, 3.1-mile walk and a 3.1-mile run. Participants age 11 to past 70 are welcome. There is also a category for those younger than 10.

Preregistration packets may be picked up Friday at HealthPoint Plaza or from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday at the race. For more information or to register, call Bill Logan at 986-4444 or Debbie Leoni at 986-4406.

Program offers tips for today's 'mega woman'

Women are often pushed to do their best in all roles, at all times and in all ways. Counselor Barb McKeon of Southeast Missouri Hospital will present a free program, "Mega Woman: Do I Hafta Leap Tall Buildings?" from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday in the hospital's Harrison Room to help women prevent their buckets of responsibility from overflowing. For information, call 651-5825.

Calendar

Today

"Ask Your Doctor," a live medical call-in show featuring local doctors who discuss current and relevant medical issues and answer phone-in questions. Dr. Dale Foster will discuss "What is a Hospitalist?" The number to call in a question is 334-3095.

Blood pressure screening at Cape Girardeau Senior Center, 10 to 11:15 a.m. For information, call 651-5825.

Weight Training for Youth, for children 10 to 13, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson. For more information or to register, call 243-2211.

Sibling class, 6 to 8 p.m., Generations Family Resource Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. For children ages 4 to 8 who are going to have a new sibling. Preregistration is required at 651-5825.

Ethan and Friends, an autism support group, 6 to 9 p.m., in Saint Francis Medical Center's Assisi Conference Room.

Seeds of Hope, 6 to 7:30 p.m., for people experiencing the loss of a loved one. For information, call 331-5118.

Friday

Blood pressure screening at St. Mary's Cathedral, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. For information, call 651-5825.

Saturday

American Heart Walk at Capaha Park, 9 a.m.

Monday

Blood pressure screening at Grace United Methodist Church, 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. For information, call 651-5825.

Brain injury resource group, 6:30 p.m., HealthPoint Plaza. Catherine Tanksley will discuss "Brain Aerobics." Participants will be given time to talk about what they're thankful for. For information, call 651-5825.

Infant and child CPR, 6 to 9 p.m. For information, call 331-5107.

Tuesday

Diabetes Self-Management, 1 to 2 p.m., Generations Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Janet Stewart will give tips on planning ahead for outpatient surgery and give a checklist of considerations that need to be addressed when a diabetic is hospitalized. For information, call 651-5844.

Mega Woman: Do I Hafta Leap Tall Buildings? 6:30 to 8 p.m. Harrison Room of Southeast Missouri Hospital. To help women manage stress. For information, call 651-5825.

SHARE, a grief support group for family members who have lost children due to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and ectopic pregnancy, 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Generations Family Resource Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Gayle Unverferth will discuss handling the holidays. For information, call 651-5825.

Grief support group, 7 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church, for people dealing with grief and loss. The topic will be coping with grief through the holidays.

New Voice club, 2 to 3 p.m., Fitness Plus Conference Room. For information, call 331-5980.

Wednesday

Knee and Hip Pain seminar, 1 to 2 p.m. Southeast Missouri Hospital's Generations Center. Participants will learn about the causes of knee and hip pain and about exercise tips, newest treatments and medications available. To pre-register, call 651-5825.

United Ostomy Association, 4:30 p.m. Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. The program: Advance Directives and Living wills." For information, call 651-5844.

Alzheimer's Association, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Southeast Missouri Hospital's Generations Center. Program: "Practical Solutions for Caregivers." Topics to be discussed will include how to make a care plan, how to manage memory loss, setting up a safe home, reducing stress at meal times and managing challenging behaviors.

-- From staff reports