Health Briefs (7/1)

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.

Cardiovascular disease prevention screenings offered

Cathedral Health Services will provide health screenings designed to detect cardiovascular and other diseases on June 30 and July 2 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 16223 S. 48th St., and July 1 at Mountain View Lutheran Church, 11002 S. 48th St.

The program provides the following screenings: heart screening, atrial fibrillation, stroke screening, abdominal aortic aneurysm, thyroid screening and Peripheral Arterial Disease.

Individual screening tests are offered for as little as $45. The heart screening is $100, while the complete screening package is offered for $175. Appointments are required.

In addition to the screening services, CHS provides a consultation to review the results and to help identify personal health risk factors. This information can aid in the development of a personal wellness plan to assist in taking proactive steps to maintain one's health.

For more information, visit www.cathedralhealthservices.org. For additional questions or to set an appointment, call (800) 770-0240. 

Mothers and daughters jazzercize together

Ahwatukee Jazzercise is offering a summer special for moms looking for something fun to do with their daughters this summer. A Mother/Daughter Jazzercise class is held at 9:30 a.m. daily, Monday to Friday, at the Center Pointe Dance Studio, 12020 S. Warner Elliot Loop. No contract or experience are required, and walk-ins are welcome. Enjoy great music, fun moves and the company of others who like to feel good and have fun.

The cost is $8 for walk-ins or $49 for a summer pass good through Aug. 31.

For more information, call Cindy Schulze 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. 

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).

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 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.

CK's hosting fundraiser for Best Buddies bike challenge

Chandler residents Bryan, Shauna, Tom and Karen Lambke are preparing to participate in their fifth Best Buddies Bike Challenge on Sept. 12 at the Hearst Castle in California, and to help them raise the required $3,500 to enter, CK's Tavern and Grill at 4142 E. Chandler Blvd. is hosting a "fun nite" fundraiser from 6 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 9. The band Shirleys Temple will entertain, and a variety of items will be raffled.

Bryan Lambke has Down Syndrome, and he and his father, Tom, have written books about it and how it has affected their lives.

For more information or to make a donation, call Tom at (480) 993-8529 or e-mail tjel4@aol.com. A direct link for the bike ride donation is at www.tinyurl.com/Lambke.

Both Bryan and Tom have also been selected to give an oral presentation at this year's Down Syndrome World Congress in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 21. On their first trip to Ireland in 2003, Bryan won a gold medal in bowling at the International Special Olympics. He was also inducted into the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

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.

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.

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

Spa Week coming in Sept.

Arizona Spa Week's Fall Event will take place Sept. 14 to 20 with spas offering treatments for just $50! The goal of Spa Week is to make the spa lifestyle available and affordable to everyone, and in this economic downturn, what better time to take advantage and get pampered.

Consumers may indulge in everything from massages, facials, manicures and pedicures to the most luxurious, off the wall, and eco-friendly treatments that normally range from $100 all the way up to $450.

A list of participating spas will be posted at www.spaweek.com on Aug. 17. 

Get a massage, help find a cure

Massage Envy's fifth annual fundraiser, "Massage for the Cure," will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, at all Massage Envy locations statewide (the nearest is at 3820 E. Ray Road, Suite 16).

During this one day event, massages will be offered for $35, with $10 donated to the Phoenix and Southern Arizona Affiliates of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Additional donations will also be accepted.

The event is open to the public and requires an appointment by calling (480) 759-ENVY (3689) or in person beginning Aug. 15. You do not have to be a Massage Envy member to make an appointment.

For more information, visit www.massageenvy.com.

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.

PCH hosts annual golf tournament

The 2009 Annual Phoenix Children's Hospital Golf Tournament will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at McCormick Ranch Golf Club, 7505 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale. Registration begins at 10 a.m., the tournament starts at 11:30 a.m. and the 19th Hole celebration kicks off at 3:30 p.m.

The tournament has become one of the premier charity golf tournaments in Arizona, and in the past eleven years more than $2.3 million has been raised to support the outstanding medical care provided at Phoenix Children's Hospital. Organized by a group of community-minded volunteers, the goal of the tournament is to provide an opportunity for others to give back and have some fun while doing so.

Proceeds will support the areas of greatest need at Phoenix Children's Hospital including funding of the expansion initiatives to help fulfill the long term needs of children and families in need of pediatric medical care.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. For a complete listing, visit http://www.pchgolf.com/participate.php. For more information or to participate, visit http://www.pchgolf.com or call the PCH Foundation at (602) 546-2652.

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.

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.