Health Briefs

WILKES-BARRE – The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross conducts community blood drives throughout the month.
Donors who are 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in relatively good health may give blood every 56 days.
Donors who cannot attend a community drive may donate at the fixed donor site in Hanover Township.
Blood drives are conducted from noon to 6 p.m. every Monday (except holidays) at the chapter house, 256 N. Sherman St., Wilkes-Barre; and at the regional blood center, 29 New Commerce Blvd., Hanover Industrial Park Wednesdays, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon.
Collections also take place every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hazleton Chapter House, 165 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazleton. For information, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, ext. 2150.
A list of area blood donation sites follows:
Today, 1-6 p.m., Irem Temple Country Club, Dallas.
Monday, 1-6 p.m., SS. Peter and Paul’s Church, 1000 Main St., Avoca.
Tuesday, April 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wilkes University, 84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre.
Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., King’s College, 133 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre.
Thursday, April 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Ramada Inn, 20 Public Square, Wilkes-Barre.
Friday, April 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre.
Tuesday, April 17, noon-5 p.m., Saxton Medical Pavilion, 468 Northampton St., Edwardsville.
Friday, April 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Luzerne County Courthouse, 200 N. River St., Wilkes-Barre.
Monday, April 23, 1-6 p.m., Plains Ambulance, 90 Maffett St., Plains Township.
Monday, April 23, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Northwest Area High School, 243 Thorne Hill Road, Shickshinny.
Thursday, April 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 60 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre.
Sunday, April 29, noon-4 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church, 175 South Main Road, Mountain Top.
EDWARDSVILLE – Wyoming Valley Health Care System will hold a childbirth education class series in the Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion auditorium, 468 E. Northampton St., starting Wednesday and continuing through April 25. Classes will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. An additional class entitled “Breast Feeding Basics” will be available to all attendees.
Women should start attending by 30 to 34 weeks of pregnancy in order to ensure that the series is completed. Participants should bring a blanket and pillow to every class and also should wear comfortable clothes that offer ease of mobility.
Pre-registration is necessary. Series cost is $30, which covers both classes and materials. To register or for more information, call 552-3416 or log on to www.wvhcs.org and click on the “Nesbitt Women’s and Children’s Center” link.
EDWARDSVILLE – The Diabetes Management Center, a division of the Northeast PA Diabetes Management Program and affiliate of Wyoming Valley Health Care System, will host “IMAGINE... Using Imagery to Heal the Body” on Tuesday, April 10 from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion auditorium, 468 E. Northampton St.
Judy Rienzi, RN, MS, certified integrative imagery practitioner, will present new, innovative techniques for caring for emotional and physical health.
This presentation is free and open to the public. To register, call 552-7150.
EDWARDSVILLE – Wyoming Valley Health Care System will present a childbirth refresher class on Tuesday, April 10, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion Classroom, 468 E. Northampton Street.
This class is for women and their support persons who have had previous birth experience and/or have attended childbirth education classes. The fee is $10.
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to pre-register, call 552-3416, or log on to www.wvhcs.org and click onto the Women’s and Children’s Center link on the home page.
WILKES-BARRE – Life Holistic Center will present a meditation service from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays at the YMCA, 40 W. Northampton St. Persons of all faith traditions are welcome. Meditation will include a variety of breathing, relaxation and meditative techniques. Also included will be a special meditation using the inner smile, sounds and colors to help dispel negative emotions. The next class will be April 14; future dates are April 28; May 5 and 19, and June 2 and 16.
There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. Call Anthony V. Wojnar, presenter, for more information at 868-6635.
W. HAZLETON – Marty McGurrin, Psychology Associates, Clarks Summit, will present “Adversity Can Be a Blessing” at the Bowl Arena, 190 Susquehanna Blvd., West Hazleton, on April 10, at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Call 888-995-8777 or visit www.lupuspa.org for more information.
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – John Heinz is offering monthly free diabetes education classes to the public, presented by a certified diabetes educator.
Classes address the goals of diabetes care and teach patients how to identify problems, make decisions, plan ahead, modify their lifestyle and strive for better diabetes control. John Heinz also has a diabetes educator to work with homebound patients who are not able to attend classes and are interested in better diabetes control.
The next class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon April 11 at John Heinz Institute for Rehabilitative Medicine, 150 Mundy St.
To register, call Lisa Abda-Gillette at 348-2205.
PLAINS TWP. – The Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania will host the “You Are Not Alone” conference on April 14 at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, Route 315. The program starts at 8:45 a.m. A keynote address, “An Epilepsy Overview A to Z” will be followed by a session on local resources. Other workshops will address depression, employment and educational rights.
The program is free and open to the public. Adults, teens, parents, children caregivers and health professionals are welcome. Registration is required by calling 592-1150 or 1-800-887-7165, ext. 108, or by e-mail at [email protected] .
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Psychologist Dr. Kristine E. Terry will present “Facing the Challenges of Chronic Pain” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 19 at the John Heinz Institute, 150 Mundy St., Wilkes-Barre. The session is free and open to the public. For more information, call 888-99LUPUS or visit www.lupuspa.org.
MOUNTAIN TOP – Emergency Medical Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania and Luzerne County Community College are sponsoring a first responder course that will be held at Cardinal Glass, Crestwood Industrial Park, starting Monday, April 23. The course will continue every Monday and Wednesday and selected Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. for nine weeks. Students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to sit for certification exams.
The training in emergency medical care is for police, fire and EMS personnel who are likely to be the first on scene. Approximately half of the training is devoted to crash-related and life threatening emergency care procedures. The fee is $115, which includes all instructional materials and supplies. Payment must be included with a course registration form. To learn more or for a pre-enrollment application and course description, call 655-6818, 1-800-427-1911 or visit www.emsnp.org.
DALLAS – The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology has awarded the medical imaging program at College Misericordia continuing accreditation for eight years — the maximum allowed by the national body. The JRCERT is the only agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for the accreditation of educational programs in radiography, radiation therapy, magnetic resonance and medical dosimetry.
Misericordia’s program has received the eight-year award both times it has been eligible.
HARRISBURG – The Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania is accepting donations of used vehicles. Donors may realize tax savings by donating their old car, truck, motorcycle or boat. Both running and non-running vehicles are welcome and free towing is available. Eventual sale of the donated vehicles helps support families dealing with kidney disease, medical research, scholarships and educational programs. Potential donors may call 1-800-762-6202 for details.
PLAINS TWP. – Riverside Rehabilitation, 220 S. River St., now offers arthritis aquatic exercise programs each Wednesday and Friday from 4-5 p.m. The cost is $5 per session or $45 for a six-week program. For information, 824-3444.