Health news 4/19/07

Briefly

Red Cross holds weekly drives at donation center

In an effort to increase awareness of the ability to donate blood at its center at 20 S. Mount Auburn Road, the American Red Cross is planning weekly specialized drives. This week's blood drive challenged local day care providers to bring at least five donors into the American Red Cross building. "We're really trying to focus on blood drives at the actual center," said Kelly Ressel, donor recruitment account manager. "A lot of people don't realize they can donate here. They just think of donating at blood drives." The participating day care centers included ABC 123 Learning Center, A Step at a Time, Little Rascals, Marilyn's Daycare, Precious Moments Daycare and Christian School for the Young Years. For more information, contact the blood services office at 339-1822.

Saint Francis walking challenge on Sunday

Saint Francis Medical Center's Fitness Plus will begin its "Steppin' Out" walking challenge at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Cape LaCroix Recreation Trail. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. behind the Osage Centre. The event is free to the community and each participant will receive a free pedometer. The three-mile walk kicks off a weeklong initiative endorsed by the Medical Fitness Association. Its goal is to challenge members of the community to walk 70,000 steps in seven days. The community that logs the most steps will receive national recognition. Events geared toward helping participants improve their health and fitness are planned each day at Fitness Plus. The following schedule is a list events in conjunction with the Steppin' Out program:

• Wheel of Fortune Walk, an all-day walk on the track, Monday
• Walking to the Beat in studio 2, 10:15 a.m. Monday
• Water walking in the recreation pool, 12 p.m. Tuesday
• Deep Water walking in the lab pool, 9 a.m. April 27.
• Prime body stretch in studio 2, 9 a.m. April 28.

Calendar

Today

American Red Cross blood drive at Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

We Can support group for cancer patients and their families at Southeast Missouri Hospital, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Ask Your Doctor, local health-care providers discuss medical issues and welcome questions from viewers who can call the show live at 334-3095, 8 to 9 p.m., cable Channel 5. This week's program is "Open Line Night" for audience call-in questions.

Friday

American Red Cross blood drive at Saint Francis Medical Center, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

American Red Cross blood drive at Saint Denis School in Benton, Mo., 2 to 6 p.m.

Saturday

ABC Expo: all about babies and children at the Osage Centre, 12 to 4 p.m.

Preparation for childbirth class at Saint Francis Medical Center, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To register, call (877) 231-2229.

Monday

American Red Cross blood drive at Zalma High School, 2 to 6 p.m. Free T-shirt for all donors.

American Red Cross blood drive at Notre Dame Regional High School, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free T-shirt for all donors.

Diabetes and heart disease program at Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information or to register, call 651-5825.

Tuesday

Neck pain information from Dr. Scott Gibbs at Southeast Missouri Hospital, 6:30 p.m. For more information or to register, call 651-5825.

Wednesday

Heart and health screenings at Saint Francis Medical Center's Health and Wellness Center, 7 to 10 a.m.

-- From staff reports