Briefly

Free hepatitis C screening

The Spears Foundation and OptionCare of Cape Girardeau -- in cooperation with Cross Trails, Roche Pharmaceuticals and LabCorp --will offer free hepatitis C screening to the entire community of Cape Girardeau and surrounding counties, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 10 at OptionCare, 61 Doctors Park.

This program is the first in Missouri to be opened to anyone who wants to be tested.

The hepatitis C virus is often called "the silent killer" because many patients have nonspecific symptoms and aren't diagnosed until advanced liver damage occurs. People who are most at risk include people who have used IV drugs or snorted drugs, even if only once; anyone who received a blood transfusion before 1992; anyone who has been in jail or prison, health-care workers and first responders; has had a tattoo or body piercing,; served in the military; people with blood disorders or who are on dialysis related to kidney failure; and anyone who has had multiple sex partners.

The test is available to anyone over the age of 18. Those who test positive will be referred to appropriate counseling and treatment. All who are tested will receive a confidential letter with their results; those who test positive will also receive a phone call.

Scott County Community Outreach clinics

The Scott County Health Department will hold community outreach clinics for May from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the following locations:

* May 10, First Assembly of God in Scott City.

* May 17, Elks Lodge in Chaffee.

* May 24, Riverside Regional Library in Benton.

Services available are immunizations, blood pressure screenings, family planning and TB testing.

Pennies from Heaven auction

Gift baskets, computers, weekend vacations, Cardinals tickets and other items will go up for bid Friday when the Southeast Missouri Hospital Foundation holds its annual Pennies from Heaven benefit auction at the Arena Building.

Doors open at 5 p.m. with silent auctions beginning at 5:30 p.m. The oral auction, conducted by the Chug Crites Auction Service, begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free; refreshments will be available for purchase.

In the auction's 12-year history, more than $177,000 has been raised to benefit "We Can Weekend," an annual summer retreat for cancer patients and their families.

Mother's Day 5K Race Coming

Southeast Missouri Hospital's HealthPoint Plaza and Montgomery Bank will sponsor a Mother's Day 5K beginning at 8 a.m. May 13 at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau.

Family members of all ages can participate in the 5K run, 5K walk or fun run, while helping raise funds for children's fitness and wellness services. Children who are not participating in the 5K events can enjoy fun and games with the wellness staff.

Overall 5K winners will receive $100 savings bonds from Montgomery Bank. Children 14 and under will receive piggy banks and $5 certificates to redeem upon opening a new savings account at Montgomery Bank.

Register online at www.active.com or mail your registration to Southeast Missouri Hospital, HealthPoint Fitness, 2126 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63703. Registrations may also be dropped off at HealthPoint or Main Street Fitness in Jackson.

Nursing League Seminar

SIKESTON, Mo. -- "Mental Health: Current Trends" is the title of a workshop sponsored by the Missouri League for Nursing May 19 at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

The workshop will provide health-care professionals with an update on trends and issues in mental health and how this affects treatments available for consumers.

Colleen Haynie is the workshop presenter.

For information on contact hours and to register, call (573) 635-5355 or go online at www.monursingorg.

Calendar

Today

"Ask Your Doctor," 8 to 9 p.m. cable channel 5. Dr. David Law will discuss cardiac arrhythmia. To phone in a question, call 334-3095.

Seeds of Hope, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Saint Francis South Healing Arts Conference Room. For information, call 331-5118.

Ethan and Friends, autism support group, 6 to 9 p.m. Assisi Conference Room. For information, call 335-9221.

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

Saturday

Diabetes basic skills class, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Fitness Plus Conference Room. Physician referral required; call 331-5897.

Tuesday

Diabetes self-management education: "Type II Diabetes and Insulin Therapy," 1 p.m., Southeast Missouri Hospital Generations Conference Center. To register, call 651-5844.

Grief support groups, 7 p.m., Grace United Methodist Church. For information, call 651-5549 or 651-5519.

SHARE support group meetings for parents, grandparents or other family members who have lost children due to miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death or ectopic pregnancy, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Generations Family Resource Center. For information, call 651-5825 or 651-5549.

Wednesday

Diabetes basic skills class, 12:30 to 4 p.m., Fitness Plus Conference Room. Physician referral required. For information, call 331-5897.

Knee and hip pain seminar, 1-2 p.m., Southeast's Generations Center. To register, call 651-5825.

United Ostomy Association Picnic, 5 p.m., potluck picnic at Cape County Park South, Shelter No. 20. Members bring a vegetable, salad or dessert plus plates, utensils and drinks. Fried chicken will be provided. For information, call 651-5844.

Sibling Class, 6 to 8 p.m., for children ages 4 to 8 who are expecting a new sibling. Registration required; call 651-5825.

-- From staff reports