Health Briefs (7/9)

PCH offers summer courses in CPR

Phoenix Children's Hospital is offering Pediatric Heartsaver CPR classes fashioned after the American Heart Association (AHA) program.

Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to noon July 11, 18 and 28; and Aug. 11, 20 and 25 at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Building C, 1919 E. Thomas Road. Students will experience a fun, musical approach to CPR and First Aid with the latest in instructional tools.

For more information, call (602) 546-0731 or visit www.phoenixchildrens.com and click on view events and classes link.

Train for marathon, support children's hospital

Runners and walkers of all experience levels are invited to join Miracles in Motion, a marathon training team raising funds to benefit programs and services at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

Miracles in Motion team members receive professional coaching and training and raise $1,500 or more to support hospital programs in need. Additionally, each athlete is paired with a Phoenix Children's patient and encouraged to compete in the 2009 P.F. Chang's Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon and half Marathon on Jan. 18, on the child's behalf.

An public information session will be held 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 14 at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Melvin L. Cohen Conference Center (Building E), 1919 E. Thomas Road.

For more information, contact Ashley Robison, Special Event Coordinator at Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation, at (602) 546-2640.

Tips to prevent heat-related injuries, illnesses

Phoenix Children's Hospital provides tips for Valley families to prevent heat-related injuries and illnesses.

- Never leave a child alone in a car, truck or van. A car parked in direct sunlight for only 15 minutes can get to 131 to 172 degrees inside. High temperatures could lead to heat exhaustion or death.

- Cover metal parts of car seats in hot weather. Belt and harness buckles can cause serious burns to children.

- Limit children's time outdoors between the sun's peak intensity hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., keeping outside play to 30 minutes.

- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 25 or higher 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every three to four hours, more often if swimming or sweating.

- Dress children in light-weight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes. Hats (with brims and bills) and sunglasses help protect from the sun and ultraviolet light.

- Kids should drink 16 ounces of water every four to six hours. Additionally, sports drinks include a balance of minerals and vitamins which help to hydrate the body.

- Know the warning signs of heat exhaustion including headaches, dizziness, vomiting, muscle aches, paleness, heavy sweating, etc. Phoenix Children's recommends placing kids in a shady location with loose fitting clothes and lots of water. Seek medical attention if symptoms are severe, get worse, or last more than one hour.

Electric wheelchairs available

All Medicare recipients suffering from conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disorders and have difficulty walking or propelling a standard wheelchair, may be eligible to receive an electric wheelchair paid for by Medicare.

For eligibility information, call (800) 810-2877.

StairClimb, Firefighter Challenge coming up

The Arizona Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will hold the Ensynch 28th Annual StairClimb and FireFighter Challenge from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 13 at the Arizona Center, located downtown at 400 E. Van Buren St.

All funds raised will support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, with nearly 90 cents of every dollar dedicated to Cystic Fibrosis research.

The 28th annual StairClimb will begin at 9 a.m. in the Snell & Wilmer and APS office towers. Attendees may form teams or climb individually. The StairClimb entry fee is $25 per person or $125 per family, but participants are encouraged to go above and beyond with their fundraising efforts.

The Firefighter Challenge will begin at 9:30 a.m.. Firefighters from cities across the Valley will compete head to head, and prizes will be awarded to top finishers.

Corporate sponsorships are also available. Contact cholliday@cff.org at CFF to learn more.

Participants may register online at www.azstairclimb.org, by calling (602) 224-0068 or in person the day of the event at the Arizona Center. 

CHW offers free child development classes

Catholic Healthcare West has partnered with the Maricopa County Early Care and Education Training Consortium and Department of Economic Security to provide advanced training and technical assistance for childcare providers and staff.

Beginning July 12, classes will be held on the second Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m. at Chandler Regional Medical Center, Chandler Kid Care - Morrison Building, 475 S. Dobson Road, Chandler. Classes will conclude on Dec 13. 

Class schedule: July 12, Behavior: What We Need to Understand; Aug. 9, Positive Discipline; Sept. 13, It Starts with Me; Oct. 11, Talking Takes Two; Nov. 8, Flexible, Fearful and Feisty - The Different Temperaments of Children; Dec. 13, Helping Children to Manage their Anger and Aggression.

The free classes are sponsored by Maricopa County Early Care and Education Training Consortium with funding provided by the Department of Economic Security Child Care Administration.

For more information or to register, call the ResourceLink toll-free at 1-877-728-5414. 

Free nutrition, intro to kick-boxing classes offered

Master Michelle Lee, fitness expert, sixth-degree black belt and six-time world champion, will present three free classes for ages 16 and older at open houses July 19 and Aug. 23 at Lee's Martial Arts Academy, 715 W. Baseline Road, Suite 1, Tempe.

The schedule is: 8:30 a.m., Intro to Kick Box - learn the moves without the music; 9 a.m., Aerobics - Kick Boxing - sweat and burn 650 calories; and 10 a.m., Nutrition for Life - get the knowledge and support you need.

The classes are free and open to the public. For information, call (480) 831-2124 or e-mail tigermasterlee@aol.com.

Ride to Empower supports those touched by breast cancer

In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Network of Strength is holding its first Ride to Empower Oct. 23 to 26 in Solvang, Calif. Breast Cancer Network of Strength will be sending a team of riders from Arizona to California for the big event and wants you, your family, friends and co-workers to join the team.

The Ride to Empower is a destination bike ride with route lengths ranging from 32 miles to a 100-mile century ride. The four-day event gives participants the opportunity to challenge themselves on a long-distance ride and pay tribute to friends and loved ones touched by breast cancer.

To register or learn more about the Ride to Empower, visit http://ride.y-me.org.

If you interested in participating but have additional questions, schedule a one-on-one coffee chat meeting with special events coordinator Rebecca Johnson. She may be reached by e-mailing rjohnson@networkofstrength.org or calling (877) 963-7223, ext. 2730.

Day care program for children with minor illnesses

Chandler Regional Medical Center has established a program called Chandler Kid Care that helps parents of children with minor illnesses.

Chandler Kid Care is a day care program for infants and children through age 12 who have minor illnesses that prevent them from attending school or regular daycare. The program offers a new solution for the on-the-go parent that works full time. Certified nursing assistants with pediatric training care for the children so that parents can go to work with peace of mind knowing that their children are in a nurturing, caring environment under the supervision of registered nurses. 

Chandler Kid Care is available from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Chandler Regional Medical Center, Morrison Building, 1875 W. Frye Road.

The cost is $30 for six hours or less and $40 for more than six hours per child. Parents must make a reservation in advance because space is limited. 

For more information or to make a reservation, call (480) 728-3353.    

Free Hospice volunteer training

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

A free, three-session certification training will be held 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 14, 16 and 18 at Freedom Inn at Scottsdale, 15436 N. 64th St., Scottsdale.

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

Weight reduction program consultations offered

Phoenix Rejuvenation Center is offering complimentary 15-minute consultations with Dr. Conrad Hicks regarding its HCG Weight Reduction program during the month of July.

The medically-supervised program is well tolerated, targets storage fat, contours the body and eliminates food cravings.

Phoenix Rejuvenation Center is located at 4221 E. Chandler Blvd., Suite 119, on the southeast corner of Chandler Boulevard and 42nd Street.

To make an appointment, call (480) 223-1901. 

Diabetes outreach support program

The Diabetes Center at Chandler Regional Medical Center facilitates free monthly meetings to discuss issues related to health and diabetes. Each session is lead by diabetes educators and features guest speakers on a variety of topics of interest to individuals with diabetes. The Diabetes Center provides educational programs geared toward people with Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes, in addition to those with pre-diabetes.

The meetings begin at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at Chandler Regional Medical Center, Main entrance, room ASIC 1 and 2 (lower level), 485 S. Dobson Road, Chandler.

Upcoming topics include "Be a Smart Shopper," presented by an Albertson's tour guide on July 1 and "Game Night," hosted by the Diabetes Center educators on Aug. 5.

The meetings are free and open to the public.

For more information or to register, call the ResourceLink toll-free at 1-877-728-5414. 

Health talks for women

Banner Desert Medical Center and Spirit of Women are teaming up to off programming that empowers women to take action on health issues. 

Programming will address health care needs specific to women at various stages of their lives, including reproductive health, heart health, menopause and mid-life health. The events will take place at the Rosati Education Center at Banner Desert Medical Center, 1400 S. Dobson Road, Mesa.

Upcoming summer events include:

- New Mom Tea & Social Hour, July 19, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Share the timeless tradition of morning tea with new moms and new moms to be. Medical experts offer advice and reassurance.

- Get What You Want Out of Life - Beauty, Balance and Breath, Aug. 9, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This fun and educational event has it all - skin care tips, insights into hormone therapy and breathing techniques to enhance your health.

- Ask the Experts: Straight Talk About Women's Health, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. to noon. Don't miss this panel of women's health experts as they give you straight answers to questions about female health issues, including incontinence, fibroids, heavy bleeding, hysterectomy and more.

- PAD Awareness, Sept. 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Be a part of the Stay in Circulation national awareness campaign aimed at helping adults over the age of 50 learn about peripheral artery disease.

For more information, visit www.BannerHealth.com, keyword Desert Spirit. To RSVP, call (480) 512-6205.

Children's hospital offers summer courses in CPR

Phoenix Children's Hospital is offering Pediatric Heartsaver CPR classes fashioned after the American Heart Association (AHA) program.

Classes will be held 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 28, 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 25 and 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 22 at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Building C, Room 1310, 1919 E. Thomas Road.

Students will experience a fun, musical approach to CPR and First Aid with the latest in instructional tools.

For more information, call (602) 546-0731 or visit www.phoenixchildrens.com and click on the view events and classes link.

Loose change adds up to $217K for Ronald McDonald House

Most people probably don't think twice after dropping change from their Big Macs into collection jars on the counters at McDonald's restaurants around the state. But all of those pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters add up to a big payoff for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix, which has received $216,975.89 over the past 12 months from nearly 220 participating restaurants around the state.

Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from home for families traveling to the Valley for medical care for children facing serious or life-threatening illnesses.

For information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Phoenix or to make an online contribution, visit www.rmhcphoenix.com.

Class offerings at Balanced Buddha

The Balanced Buddha, 1801 S. Jentilly Lane, Suite B-8, in Tempe, offers a variety of classes: Get Fit, not Bored!, 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays; Senior Stretch, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays (a gentle approach to yoga for seniors); Meditation, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays; Hawaiian Hula, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; and Restorative Yoga, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays.

For more information, call (480) 804-1111 or visit www.thebalancedbuddha.com.

Infant mental health conference coming up

The Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona will present "From Risk to Resilience: The 13th Institute on Infant Mental Health" Sept. 18 and 19 at the Desert Willow Conference Center, 4340 E. Cotton Center Blvd.

The conference program is designed to focus attention on bringing progressive, research-based information to Arizona to promote thought, discussion and understanding of the early development and mental health of very young children, the factors that jeopardize healthy development such as abuse and neglect and strategies for prevention and intervention.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information, visit www.itmhca.org.

New mom support group offered

Chandler Regional Medical Center is offering a New Mom Support Group that meets 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month in the Morrison Building, 1875 W. Frye Road, Chandler.

This series provides an opportunity for new moms to spend time together. Each session will cover a different topic ranging from fitness and exercise to getting back into shape and what to do when your baby is sick. There is also time for open discussion to share personal experiences and get insight from fellow moms.

The meetings are free.

To register or for additional information, call 1 (877) 728-5414.

Line Dancercise class changes meeting time

The Ahwatukee Community Swim & Tennis Center, 4700 E. Warner Road, has changed the Line Dancercise class schedule for the summer. On Wednesdays in June and July, beginning classes will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. and intermediate/advanced classes from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Burn calories while you learn all the popular line dances. The unique teaching method, taught by Carrie McNeish, keeps you moving in order to get a great cardio workout.

The cost is $48 for the eight-week summer session, or $8 for a drop-in workout.

For more information or to register, call (480) 893-3431, ext. 0.

The Thursday Lunchtime Line Dancing classes will resume in August.

Ahwatukee Jazzercise

Get into shape with Jazzercise Lite classes offered by Ahwatukee Foothills resident Cindy Schulze.

Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30 a.m. at Ahwatukee Children's Theatre, 5051 E. Elliot Road, and Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at Center Pointe Dance, 12020 S. Warner-Elliot Loop, Suite 110.

For more information, contact Schulze at (602) 292-7521 or jazzisfun@cox.net.

CHW East Valley announces vaccination schedule for July

Free children's vaccines are offered and will be administered by Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) East Valley Community Outreach. This program is for all children, ages 6 weeks through 18 years. CHW will be administering the following vaccinations at various East Valley locations throughout July: Td (tetanus), DTaP (diphteria, tetanus, whooping cough), Tdap (tetanus, diphteria, whooping cough) for adolescents, Hib (hemophilus influenza type b), IPV (polio), HPV (human papillomavirus), Rotavirus vaccine, MMR (measles, mumps, rubella or German measles), Hepatitis B, Varicella (chickenpox), Hepatitis A, Prevnar (pneumococcal conjugate), Meningococcal (meningitis) and Flu (only seasonal).

Nearby locations include:

- July 15, 3 to 5 p.m., Chandler Fashion Center Community Room, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler.

- July 19, 9 to 11 a.m., Chandler Kid Care, Morrison Building, 1875 W. Frye Road, Chandler.

- July 22, 9 to 11 a.m., Ahwatukee Health Center, 4545 E. Chandler Blvd.

For more information, visit www.chandlerregional.org or call (480) 728-3000.

Hospice of the Valley seeks volunteers

The nonprofit Hospice of the Valley seeks volunteers to provide quality, compassionate care to patients and families facing life-limiting illness. Volunteers provide breaks for caregivers and spend time with patients listening, talking, playing cards, reading books and more. In addition, a special teen volunteer program is available. Those who would prefer to provide clerical and fundraising support do not have to go through the training.

For more information, call (602) 636-6336.

CAMPFIT registration

CAMPFIT is a five-day, four-night live-in intervention program in Payson for overweight adolescents ages 7 to 17. The mission is to provide an educational opportunity to teach children and teens how to care for their health and happiness. The specialized interdisciplinary staff of the Child Obesity Center is an integral part of CAMPFIT and ensures parents this experience will be positive and life changing for the entire family.

Camp is July 29 to Aug. 2. Registration is $420. Call (602) 843-8333 or e-mail campfit@childobesitycenter.com to register.

Lymphoma Research Foundation monthly meeting

The Arizona Chapter of the Lymphoma Research Foundation hosts free monthly meetings for lymphoma patients, their loved ones, health care professionals or anyone interested in supporting lymphoma awareness and education.

For additional information, e-mail Arizona@lymphoma.org or call Susan at (623) 266-4742.

Send submissions to: (480) 898-7924 or jwalker@ahwatukee.com.