Health Briefs (6/12)

Healing Pathways Medical Clinic offers workshops

Healing Pathways Medical Clinic in Tempe is offering a variety of workshops at several locations, including: The Positive Environment Saturday Workshop, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 13; ADD/ADHD Solving the Puzzle, 6 to 8 p.m. June 16; Dealing With Strokes, 7 to 9 p.m. June 18; Sunflower Market Health Screening, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 20; Overcoming Addictions, 6 to 8 p.m. June 24; Autism, Pieces of the Puzzle, 6 to 8 p.m. June 25; ADD/ADHD Saturday Workshop, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 27; Down Syndrome Hidden Miracles, 7 to 9 p.m. July 2; Brain Acceleration Saturday Workshop, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 11; ADHD Misdiagnosed and Overmedicated, 6 to 8 p.m. July 14; Dealing with Addictions, 7 to 9 p.m. July 16; Home School Convention, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 17 and 18; ADD/ADHD Solving the Puzzle, 7 to 8 p.m. July 23; Speech and Language Development, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 25; The Positive Environment Saturday Workshop, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 8; and Down Syndrome Hidden Miracles, 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11.

For more information, locations or to reserve seating, call (480) 820-6695 or visit www.healingpathwaysmedical.com.

National Bone Marrow Screening June 16 to 19

The Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Mayo Clinic and Phoenix Children's Hospital will host the National Marrow Donor Program's Be The Match: MARROWTHON Donor Recruitment Campaign, from June 16 to 19. This is a chance for members of the community and employees to help give the gift of life by joining the Be The Match Registry.

The drive will take place 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 16 in the Taylor Auditorium at Mayo Clinic, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 17 in conference room 1-212 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, 5777 E. Shea Blvd., Phoenix; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18 and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19 in the front lobby of building A at Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road.

People age 18 to 60 in generally good health are encouraged to attend the drive and fill out a short questionnaire.

For more information, call (480) 342-0290 at Mayo Clinic or (602) 546-0824 at Phoenix Children's Hospital or visit www.phoenixchildrens.com.

Jazzercise summer fun

Cindy Schulze, certified Jazzercise instructor with Ahwatukee Jazzercise, is offering a chillin' summer special. Sign up now for $49 and enjoy a summer filled with a fun cool way to workout safely indoors. A pass is valid from registration through Sept. 1.

Classes meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at Center Pointe Dance Studio, 12020 S. Warner Elliot Loop.

For more information, call Cindy at (602) 292-7521 or e-mail jazzisfun@cox.net.

Stroller Strides moves indoors for the summer

The beat the heat, the Ahwatukee Stroller Strides class has moved inside and now meets at Mountain Park Community Church, 2408 E. Pecos Road. Classes begin at 9 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 7:30 a.m. Fridays.

Stroller Strides, a total fitness program for moms and dads that they can do with their children, includes Power Walking and intervals of body toning using exercise tubing, hand weights and the stroller. Classes are taught by specially trained instructors and are a great workout for any level of exerciser. All you need is you, your child and the stroller (not prone to tipping). Bring water for you and your child and a towel or mat for ground exercises. The first week is free, and special pricing is available for the summer months.

For more information, contact Linda Nagel at lnagel@strollerstrides.net or (602) 571-4393 or visit www.strollerstrides.com/ahwatukee. 

Hospice volunteers needed, free training provided

Hospice of Arizona is looking for warm and caring people to share their time and hearts with terminally ill patients. Volunteers can spend time with patients in their homes, group homes or inpatient units. Bilingual Spanish speaking volunteers are also needed to assist with bereavement support for families.

A four-session training will be held June 17, 20, 24 and 27. Wednesday trainings will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., and Saturday trainings will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hospice of Arizona, 2222 W. Northern Ave., Suite A-100.

For more information or to register, call the Volunteer Department at (602) 678-1313.

Wheelchair van to be given to deserving family

Hyundai of Tempe has acquired a wheelchair accessible mini-van and will give it away to a deserving family or organization during a write-in campaign. The vehicle is a pre-owned Dodge Caravan equipped with a Harmar inside wheelchair lift in the rear of the vehicle. The approximate value of the van, lift and warranty is over $7,000.

Candidates will need to submit their story online before 9 p.m. June 18 at www.hyundaioftempe.com/helpinghands.

For additional guidelines and restrictions, visit www.hyundaioftempe.com/helpinghands.

Giving blood this summer offers chance for a new car

Give blood at any United Blood Services donor center or blood drive this summer, and you could drive away a hero with a 2009 Saturn Aura. All blood donors through Aug. 31 will be automatically entered to win and will also receive a second entry to deposit at any Arizona Saturn retail facility to double their chances. Eight blood donors' names will be drawn as finalists throughout the campaign to participate in the Sept. 23 grand prize drawing.

To schedule an appointment to Find the Hero in You, call 1-877-448-GIVE (4483) or visit www.UnitedBloodServicesAZ.org. The nearest location is the Chandler Donor Center at 1989 W. Elliot Road, Suite 33 (at Dobson Road).

Alzheimer's Awareness Tour

For those who want to learn more about the latest research and clinical studies available, the free Alzheimer's Awareness Tour will be at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel at 2620 W. Dunlap Ave. from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 20.

The agenda includes: free "Making a Memory" personalized family DVDs at 2 p.m., screening of "Momentum in Science" from HBO's The Alzheimer's Project at 2:30 p.m., and Alzheimer's experts discussion and question-and-answer session featuring physicians, caregivers and others involved in Alzheimer's clinical research studies at 3:30 p.m.

RSVPs are required as space is limited. Call (310) 374-8434 or e-mail info@newleafevents.com.

For more information, visit www.ALZJointheFight.com.

Recruiting under way for Team In Training program

Locally, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training (TNT) program prepares approximately 39,000 participants a year to run or walk whole or half marathons, complete a triathlon or century (100 mile) cycling events. On June 7, TNT participated in America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Training with Team In Training is already under way for fall events but recruitment begins this month for winter events such at the local P.F. Chang's Marathon or el Tour de Tucson. Some of the training takes place in Ahwatukee Foothills.

For more information including sign up dates and event schedules, call (602) 567-7641 or visit www.teaminintraining.org/dm.  To find out more about National Cancer Survivors Day, visit www.nscdf.org.

Summer caregiver training classes offered

The demand for qualified caregivers in the healthcare industry continues to rise and those interested in finding career or volunteer opportunities in the field are invited to attend one of GateWay Community College caregiver classes this summer.

As a part of GateWay's unique Caregiver Program, these classes prepare students for careers as caregivers in as little as 40 hours. And, the innovative program offers short term training and job assistance, partnerships with employers, family caregiving awareness/education and access to community networks. 

Three sessions of Principles of Caregiving are offered: June 22 to 25, 29 to July 2, 5 to 10 p.m., GateWay Community College Campus, 108 N. 40th St.; July 13 to 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., GateWay Community College; or Aug. 17 to 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., City of Phoenix Hope VI Project, 1150 S. 7th Ave.

For more information or to register for one of the sessions, contact Nannette Jones at (602) 286-8158 or jonesn@gatewaycc.edu.

Lyme, autism connection conference

The third annual "Roadblocks to Recovery" conference will be held June 26 to 28 at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort in Fountain Hills. The conference is open to patients, doctors and caregivers and will provide information on the connection between Lyme Disease and autism.

For more information or to register, go to the Lyme Induced Autism Foundation's Web site, www.LIAFoundation.org.

Yoga classes offered in June

Certified Yoga Alliance registered yoga instructor Donna DiNunzio is offering All Level Yoga in June starting at 9 a.m. Mondays (through June 22) and Thursdays (through June 25) at the Ahwatukee Firehouse Community Room, 4110 E. Chandler Bvd.

For information, call (480) 330-2015.

Summer training camp under way

Spooner Physical Therapy Ahwatukee, 16611 S. 40th St., Suite 130, is offering a summer training camp through Aug. 22. Sessions are held 6 to 9 a.m. and 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, with optional Saturdays.

The camp is for ages 12 and older and features small class sizes, workouts individualized to each participant, hour sessions, warm-up drills, strength and agility training, flexibility and plyometrics.

The cost is $96 a month, $12 per session and $10 for Saturdays.

For more information, call (480) 706-1199.

Injury prevention programs receive over $43K to keep children safe

The Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety has awarded $36,008 to the Kids Ride Safe community outreach program at Phoenix Children's Hospital. The grant will provide education and booster seats to 500 Head Start families through a partnership with Southwest Human Development. The grant funds will also be used to launch a bilingual booster seat media campaign during Child Passenger Safety Week in September.

Child Obesity Center announces fitness summer camp

The Child Obesity Center of Arizona is offering CAMPFIT, a five-day, four-night live-in intervention program June 27 to July 2 at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. The camp is designed for overweight adolescents ages six to 17.

The mission is to teach children and teens how to care for their health and happiness. CAMPFIT will encourage participants how to create an active, full life so that food, television and video games are less important. Participants will discuss their feelings with trained counselors and identify their needs and struggles.

CAMPFIT staff include registered dieticians, certified pediatric obesity specialists, weight management and behavioral counselors and certified personal trainers.

The fee is $850 for one child, $723 per child if two children attend and $637 per child if three children attend. Partial and full sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information or to register, call (602) 413-8724 or e-mail info@childobesitycenter.com to register.

Tracheostomy Education and Vendor Fair

Phoenix Children's Hospital Trach and Airway team will present a Tracheostomy Education and Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at Phoenix Children's Hospital Main Campus, Rosenberg Children's Medical Plaza (Building E) - Melvin Cohen Conference Center, 1920 E. Cambridge Ave.

This family friendly event is aimed at educating the community about health and safety issues related to tracheostomies. The fair is free and open to the public, and free parking is available in the visitors' garage.

Information for families, caregivers, and health care professionals will be provided by the Trach and Airway Team and nurses from the fourth floor Monitoring Unit. Phoenix Children's Hospital's special Tracheotomy and Airway Program is the only one in Arizona.

For more information, contact Kristen Meliska, Trach and Airway Program Coordinator, at (602) 546-0913.

Grills, Guys and Good Sex

Banner Desert Medical Center is hosting a new men's health program, Grills, Guys and Good Sex, from 10:30 a.m. to noon July 25 at the Rosati Education Center, Banner Desert Medical Center, 1400 S. Dobson Road, Mesa.

At the seminar, Dr. Robert Bloomberg will review which medical screenings men need and when; Dr. Mike Chasin will explain the latest treatment options for Erectile Dysfunction (ED); and experts will discuss things men can do to stay healthy, such as making healthier food choices and exercising. A question and answer period will follow.

Spouses or partners are invited to accompany attendees. The seminar is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. Space is limited and reservations are strongly advised by calling (602) 230-CARE (2273) or e-mailing DesertSpirit@BannerHealth.com

Parking is available in the 1432 garage next to the Dobson Road entrance.

Komen Race for the Cure is Oct. 11

The 17th Annual Susan G. Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure will be held Sunday, Oct. 11. The race offers something for everyone with a family fun walk, competitive race, survivor's 5K walk and corporate village designed to help every attendee adopt the mantra "I am the cure!"

The start and finish lines will be located at Wesley Bolin Plaza with the race route heading east to downtown Phoenix and back.

To register or volunteer, visit www.komenphoenix.org or call 602-544-CURE (2873).

Register for Frank Kush Family Fun Run & Walk

The 18th annual "Frank Kush Family Fun Run & Walk" - an affordable family-oriented event promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles and benefiting Arizona youth groups through the Frank Kush Youth Foundation - returns to Tempe Town Lake on Saturday morning, Oct. 17. 

Open to all ages, there will be a 5K Run, 5K Walk, 1 mile Fun Run, 1 mile Walk and the popular Dog Walk. There also will be a health fair with information, screening stations, Jazzercise and martial arts demonstrations.

Each school/youth group that pre-registers 50 or more participants (including staff and parents) will receive a $250 donation from the Kush Foundation to purchase physical activity equipment. Groups with 100 participants receive $100 donations.

Advance registration fees are $10 for adults, $5 for children 16 and under. There is a special $20 family package (four family members, $5 for each additional child). Everyone receives a race T-shirt; all children who run or walk the 5K or 1-mile event receive medals; and all dogs are given ribbons.

For more information, visit www.frankkush.org, www.arizonarunningeventsco.com or contact Andy Dzurinko of the Kush Foundation at (480) 921-9341 or dzurinko@juno.com.

Climb fitness event

The American Lung Association Climb Phoenix! Fitness event will be held Sunday, Oct. 25, at One and Two Renaissance Square in downtown Phoenix. Corporate teams, groups of families and friends and individual climbers (13 and older) are invited to run or walk to the top, conquering 53 floors and 1,272 steps, and celebrate the completion of their fitness challenge with a party at the climb's conclusion.

Each participant must raise $100 to benefit the American Lung Association in Arizona and pay a $35 registration fee (fee increases to $50 after Oct. 2).

For information or to register, visit www.climbphoenix.com. For sponsorships, call (602) 418-5771.

Multiple Sclerosis Society hosting annual walk

The 22nd Annual Phoenix Walk MS will be held from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, through the Phoenix Zoo and Desert Botanical Garden.

Participants will meet at the SRP parking lot at 1600 N. Priest Drive in Tempe for a three or five mile easy, leisurely walk. Motorized scooters will be available if reservations are made in advance.

Walk and fundraise to help eradicate Multiple Sclerosis. No registration fee, but fundraising is encouraged and appreciated. The average walker fundraises $235.

For more information or to register, visit http://walkaza.nationalmssociety.org or call (480) 968-2488, ext. 207.

e-MedStick ready for launch

Larry Smith, founder and CEO of MedStick Corporation, has announced the rollout of the e-MedStick electronic medical records system for individuals.

Enclosed within a small USB drive, the portable device containing proprietary software is designed to provide instantaneous access to the owners emergency information and complete medical history from anywhere in the world, in multiple languages ... even if the owner cannot communicate.

For more information, call (480) 899-4463 or log on to www.healthmedstick.com.

GYT: Get Yourself Tested

Planned Parenthood Arizona is participating in a nationwide campaign with MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation to officially unveil "GYT: Get Yourself Tested," a campaign to increase testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among those under 25 years of age. 

GYT kicks off with a mix of promotions on-air, online and in the real world that will unfold throughout April in recognition of National STD Awareness Month. The central hub of the campaign, GYT09.org, will provide comprehensive information about STDs and will direct users to the nearest testing location simply by entering a zip code. A mobile companion to GYT09.org, the GYT short code (49809), provides details about local testing locations to mobile phones by texting a ZIP code.

To make an appointment, call (602) 277-PLAN (7526).

For more information on the importance of getting yourself tested, visit www.ppaz.org.

Racing for Recovery offers support

A new Racing for Recovery support group meets 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays at Spinergy Cycling Studio, 12020 S. Warner-Elliot Loop, Suite 111.

Racing for Recovery offers support to anyone who has been affected by addiction - addict, family member or friend - and promotes health and fitness as a component of recovery.

For information, call Clay at (480) 252-9903, e-mail claylblair@gmail.com or visit www.racingforrecovery.com.

NexLev Wellness Center conducting headache study

NexLev Wellness Center, 4206 E. Chandler Blvd., is conducting a headache study, and the two-day process consists of one-hour sessions each day. Staff are looking to find possible causes that contribute to headaches.

For more information, call (480) 704-2107.

24-hour help hotline

The bilingual Helpline services are free of charge and are available 24 hours a day, everyday, including holidays by calling (602) 263-8856.

Specialists respond to calls from individuals seeking information or referrals to health care programs; emergency food, housing and clothing resources; drug or alcohol treatment programs; adult/child protective services; and marital and family counseling. All calls are confidential.

More information is available online at www.cir.org.

Crohn's & Colitis Support Group

The East Valley Crohn's & Colitis Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at Banner Desert Medical Center, Classroom 3D, 1400 S. Dobson Road, Mesa.

For information, e-mail Lisa Shane at Lissha480@aol.com.

Yin/Yang Yoga hiking retreat

Relax yourself with a worry-free trip to the Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Challenge yourself with a long hike while you take in the splendor of the canyon. Pamper and expand yourself with no driving, fine dining, entertainment, yoga classes and a rustic private cabin setting.

Donna DiNunzio (Joyful Yoga Studio) and Jeff Martens (Inner Vision Yoga) will provide transportation, trail guidance and yoga instruction during the retreat, which runs Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. The cost is $799 ($739 before May 15).

For more information, e-mail DiNunzio at dsdinunzio@yogaclarity.com or call (480) 330-2015.

Inner Vision Yoga offers Hawaiian retreat

Inner Vision Yoga is accepting deposits for Yoga in Hawaii, a yoga retreat to be held July 11 to 18 at the Kalani Oceanside Retreat Center. Co-owner Jeff Martens and longtime instructor Patricia Pagliuca will be your guides in the discovery of creativity and the pulse of lie that exists in all things, from leaf to ocean wave to your very fingertips.

For information on pricing, registration and accommodations, visit www.innervisionyoga.com.

Inner Vision Yoga is located in Chandler at Dobson and Ray roads and in Tempe at Guadalupe and Rural roads and offers over 80 yoga classes per week.

For more information, visit the Web site above or call (480) 632-7899.