Health briefs/calendar 3/23/06

Briefly

Church women to hold blood drive

For the 29th year, Church Women United will sponsor a three-day blood drive to help the American Red Cross. The drive will take place between 1 and 6 p.m. March 27, 29 and 30 at the American Red Cross Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road.

Just as spring brings new life to the outdoors, the Red Cross hopes to bring new life to blood and platelet donations by encouraging a new generation of blood donors.

Donors should be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more. Blood donors should wait 56 days between donations; platelet donors may donate as many as 24 times a year.

To schedule a donation appointment, call (800) GIVE LIFE.

Diabetes prevention, management program slated for April 1

From 8 a.m. until noon April 1, health-care professionals from Southeast Missouri Hospital will sponsor free seminars and activities for children and adults who want to learn more about how to prevent or manage diabetes. Glucose screenings will be available (a minimum two-hour fast is required for accurate results), and a dietitian and pharmacist will be available to answer questions.

Adult topics include "Is Your Child at Risk for Diabetes?," "Activity Matters," and a nutrition and diabetes cooking demonstration.

For children, there will be "Fun and Fitness," "Talking About Diabetes: Snacks and Activities" and "'Way-to-Go Kids' for Weight Control and Fitness."

Registration is required by calling 651-5825.

Learn about matters of the heart

Southeast Missouri Hospital will present a free program about cardiac medications at 6:30 p.m.. Tuesday.

Pharmacist Eric Robins will discuss the types of medications used in the treatment and prevention of heart disease and how to take them properly. Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions about their cardiac medications.

To register for the program, call 651-5825.

SEMO Dental Academy planned

The Southeastern Missouri Area Health Education Center (SEMO AHEC) and Missouri Highlands Health Care Inc. will hold their fifth annual Experiential Dental Academy for high school students and college undergraduates interested in dentistry or dental hygiene.

The academy will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 7 at the Poplar Bluff Community Dental Clinic, 1617 N. Main St. in Poplar Bluff, Mo. The seminar is open to participants in a 22-county region of Southeast Missouri.

To register, call Teresa Murdock at (573) 785-2444 or (800) 788-2444, or e-mail teresam@ims-1.com.

Calendar

Today

"Ask Your Doctor," 8 to 9 p.m., cable Channel 5, a live, medical call-in show featuring local health-care professionals who discuss medical issues and welcome questions from viewers. This week Dr. Janna Crosnoe discuss Meso Therapy and Laser Therapy. To call in a question, call 334-3095.

Newborn Massage, 10 to 11 a.m., Generations Family Resource Center. Register by calling 651-5825.

Friday

School's Out Day Camp, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson. Special mystery camp. To register, call 243-2211.

Monday

Depressive Bipolar Support Alliance, 7 to 9 p.m., Assisi Conference Room. For information, call 334-8619.

Parkinson's Support Group, 6 to 8:30 Franciscan Conference Room, for friends and family members of people with Parkinson's disease. For information, call 331-5871.

Tuesday

Lipid Profile Screening at Cape Area Family Resource Center, 8 to 10:30 a.m. By appointment only by calling 651-5825.

-- From staff reports