Health briefs 3-27-17
Events
n Community Blood Drive, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, at the Foundation Wellness Center in Waynesburg. Hosted by the Washington Health System-Greene. Appointments can be scheduled through the Central Blood Bank website: www.centralbloodbank.org.
n Mental Health Association in Fayette County FUNRAISER, 5-8:30 p.m., April 21, at the Spunky Monkey Fun Center & Party Place. Children ages 1-13, $10. Parent admission free. Features a bounce house, toddler area, jungle gym, arcade and snacks.
n Health and Wellness Demonstration Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 3, at the Uniontown YMCA. Free, hands-on activities that promote mental health and wellness, including physical and mental health screenings, massages, facials, yoga, therapies, crafting and gardening. Sponsored by the Mental Health Association in the Fayette County Advocacy Network.
n Exercise classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Center in the Woods, 130 Woodland Court, Brownsville. Classes include chair dancing at 9:30 a.m. followed by healthy steps at 11 a.m. Information: 724-938-3554.
Support groups
n Suicide Bereavement Support Group, 1-3:20 p.m., today, at the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Information: 724-268-1144.
n Stroke Support Group, 1-2:30 p.m., Thursday, at the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Information: 724-258-1455.
n Stepping Stones Bereavement Support Group for Newly Bereaved, 7-9 p.m., Mondays, at the Fayette County Health Center on New Salem Road. Sessions run for 10 weeks. Information: 724-438-9373 or 724-439-1683.
n GriefShare, 7 p.m., Wednesdays, at the Uniontown Church of the Brethren at 20 Robinson St. Information: 724-438-8372 or email ucob@verizon.net.
n Al-Anon Family Groups, 8 p.m., Wednesdays, Trinity Church basement, Fayette and Morgantown streets, Uniontown, and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Christian Church, Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville. These meetings are for anyone who has been affected by or is having problems from someone else’s drinking. Information: al-anon.alateen.org or pa-al-anon.org.
n Survivors of Incest Anonymous group, 6:30-8 p.m., the first and third Mondays of the month, excluding holidays. This 12-step recovery program is meant for men and women aged 18 or older who were sexually abused by a trusted person as a child. The group meets at the Mount Macrina Retreat Center. A similar group, Healing Friends, is from 6:30-7:30 p.m., East Liberty Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Information: peopleofcourage@gmail.com siawso.org, or healingfriends8@gmail.com.
n Missing Piece of My Heart Support Group, 6-8 p.m., the last Thursday of each month, at the Crime Victim’s Center conference room in the Oliver Square Plaza. The group is for families who have lost a child to a violent crime. Information: 724-438-1470.
n Silver Generation Support Program, 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, East End United Community Center, Uniontown. The program is for ages 55 and older. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Mental Health Association in Fayette County Advocacy Network suicide bereavement support group, 6:30-8:30 p.m., the first and third Thursdays of each month, 100 New Salem Road, first floor/first door on the right, Uniontown. Information: 724-880-1644 or 724-438-6738.
Courses
n Managing Your Diabetes, 8:30-11:30 a.m., April 4-6, at the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center at the Monongahela Valley Hospital. Program covers controlling blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce risk of complications. Free program requires registration. Information: 724-258-1483.
Achievements
n After undergoing a rigorous onsite review earlier this year, Monongahela Valley Hospital has become the first hospital in western Pennsylvania to earn the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement. According to MVH officials, of the nearly 5,000 hospitals in the nation, MVH is one of only 29 hospitals in the U.S. to be awarded this certification.
Volunteers needed
n AseraCare Hospice in Pittsburgh is looking for volunteers and interns to assist with visiting patients and their families, assisting in administrative tasks, attending and planing activities and events, and helping with community outreach. Information: Tierney Guarascio at 412-513-5520.