Heath briefs/calendar 8/2/07

Free hospice trainings offered this month

The Visiting Nurse Association is offering free Hospice volunteer trainings in August. Those interested can attend any one session or the whole series of four sessions. Each person attending receives a manual containing information about volunteering and providing hospice care. All four sessions must be completed in order to become a volunteer, but volunteering is not mandatory. The training can benefit people who do church visitation or to help care for a sick family member. Pre-registration is required.

Breast-feeding Week lasts through Tuesday

Wednesday through Tuesday is World Breast-feeding Week. Research indicates that babies who are breast-fed are less likely to catch colds and suffer fewer ear infections. Studies also suggest breast-fed babies are more intelligent and have better digestion. Southeast Missouri Breastfeeding Task Force is recognizing 16 area individuals who have helped spread the word about the benefits of breast-feeding. Southeast Missouri Hospital has increased its breast-feeding education and is sending baskets and brochures to physicians' offices. Any mom who delivers at the hospital through Tuesday will receive a gift package including a baby T-shirt with "I eat at mom's" written on the front. Both Southeast Missouri Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center offer classes and support groups to nursing mothers. The increased education measures are an effort to reach the surgeon general's goal that 75 percent of women breast-feed their infants by 2010.

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month

The National Psoriasis Foundation celebrates August as Psoriasis Awareness Month. The disease afflicts as many as 7.5 million Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Psoriasis is a noncontagious skin disease. The most common form causes patches of skin called "lesions" to become inflamed and are covered by silvery white scale. The disease has no known cure and can progress into psoriatic arthritis, which causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints.

-- From staff reports

Calendar

Today

• Blood drive: From 2 to 6 p.m. at Convenient Healthcare in Perryville, Mo.

Friday

• Blood drive: From 2 to 7 p.m. at the Perry Park Center in Perryville, Mo.
• Blood drive: From 2 to 7 p.m. at West Park Mall.

Saturday

• Health fair: From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Park Mall. Interactive booths will encourage healthier lifestyles through demonstrations, samples and advice.

Monday

• Breast-feeding class: From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Saint Francis Medical Center Registration Center. For expectant mothers in the third trimester who want to learn about breast-feeding. Call (877) 231-2229.
• Brain Injury Resource group: At 6:30 p.m. at HealthPoint Plaza. People who have experienced brain injury and their families will meet for an ice cream social. Bring your favorite ice cream toppings and board games. For more information, call the Generations Center at 651-5825.

Tuesday

• Breast-feeding class: From 3 to 5 p.m. at the Generations Center. Learn the benefits and techniques of breast-feeding. Free. Call the Generations Center at 651-5825 for more information.
• Preparation for Childbirth class: From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Saint Francis Medical Center Registration Center. Call (877) 231-2229 to register.
• Bosom Buddies: From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at HealthPoint Plaza. Support for any woman dealing with or who has had breast cancer. For more information, call 651-5825.
• Explorer Post 4077: At 7 p.m. in the Harrison Room at Southeast Missouri Hospital. Explorer Post offers people ages 14 to 21 information on health-related careers. Call 651-5825 for more information.

Wednesday

• Sibling class: From 6 to 8 p.m. in the Generations Center. Children 4 to 8 years old can learn about how to be an older brother or sister. Call 651-5825 or visit www.southeastmissourihospital.com to register.
• Blood drive: From 2 to 6 p.m. at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Thursday

• Asthma Education Program: At 6:30 p.m. at the Generations Center. Programs cover asthma issues for children and adults who suffer from it. Advance registration required. Call 651-5825.