Health briefs/calendar 12/15/05

Briefly

Red Cross needs types O negative and B negative

Because inclement weather last week forced the cancellation of some blood drives, as of Monday there are no units of O negative on the shelf and 97 on back order. To make up the need for type O negative and type B negative, the American Red Cross, Drury Hotels, ESPN 1380 and the Ticket Guys have teamed up to promote a drawing for donors to win a trip for two to Dallas to watch the St. Louis Rams play the Dallas Cowboys on New Year's night. The grand prize includes round-trip airfare for two, a two-night stay at the Dallas Drury Inn Hotel and a pair of tickets to the game. The winner will be selected Dec. 24 during the 1380 ESPN's Rams pregame show at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. People may donate at the Red Cross Donation Center, 20 S. Mount Auburn Road. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Donors can also give blood at any one of the following mobile drive locations: Dec. 18, St. Joseph Catholic Church in Scott City, 8 a.m. to noon; Dec. 19, Health Point Plaza, 7 to 11 a.m.; Dec. 20, Perry Park Center, Perryville, noon to 6 p.m. Other blood drives held after the drawing will be: Dec. 28, Saint Francis Medical Center, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dec. 29, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dec. 30, First United Methodist Church of Sikeston, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Dec. 31, Cape West 14 Cine, 1 to 5 p.m.

Seminars will explain Medicare drug benefits

Humana Inc., a health benefit company in Louisville, Ky., is offering local Medicare seminars for people with questions about its prescription drug plan on Dec. 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29. All seminars will be at 3 p.m. at Ryan's, 130 Vantage Drive. Reservations are recommended. For information, call (800) 375-1358 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., daily or from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Children invited to attend winter day camp

The Main Street Fitness Center in Jackson will hold a winter day camp for children ages 6 through 13 on Dec. 27 and 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The camp will include activities to energize and challenge children out of school for the holidays. To register, call 243-2211.

Calendar

Today

"Ask Your Doctor," 8 to 9 p.m. on cable Channel 5. Health-care providers discuss medical issues and encourage viewers to call in questions at 334-3095. This week's topic will be led by otolaryngologist Adam Morgan.

Diabetes support group, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Fitness Plus Conference Room. For information call 331-5897 or (800) 457-1720.

Newborn Massage: Learn the Techniques, 10 to 11 a.m., Generations Family Resource Center. To register, call 651-5825.

Our New Baby, for children ranging in age from 2 to 4 year olds and their parents, 6 to 7 p.m., Generations Family Resource Center. To preregister, call 651-5825.

We Can support group, for cancer patients, 7 p.m., in the lobby of the Regional Cancer Center at Southeast Missouri Hospital. For information, call 651-5519.

Saturday

Breast-feeding class, 9 to 11 a.m., in Southeast Missouri Hospital's Generations Family Resource Center. To preregister, call 651-5825.

Monday

Healthy cooking class, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., Health Point Plaza. Dietitian Raina Childers will present "Chocolate Extravaganza" and emphasize how cooking with chocolate can be both delicious and healthy. To register, call 986-4400.

Tuesday

Fibromyalgia support group, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Fitness Plus conference room. For information, call 331-5880.

Wednesday

Living Well With Diabetes, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fitness Plus conference room. Physician referral required. For information, call 331-5897.

Grief support group, 1 p.m., Health Point Plaza. Program topic: "Remembering Our Loved Ones through Holiday Rituals." For information, call 651-5549 or 651-5519.

-- From staff reports