Blood drives
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive 1-6 p.m. today at the Hempfield Township municipal building on Woodward Drive. Call 800-99-DONOR to schedule an appointment; for information, call Jeannie Rings, Hempfield Parks and Recreation event coordinator, at 724-836-7900, Ext. 140.
An American Red Cross blood drive is scheduled noon-6 p.m. today in the social room at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 Fairfield Drive, in Hempfield Township's West Point neighborhood. Donors will be entered in a drawing for a new car. Walk-ins are welcome; for an appointment, call the church office at 724-834-1940.
The New Kensington-Vandergrift Unit of the American Red Cross will hold two blood drives this week: 10 a.m.-noon Thursdayat Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., Lower Burrell; and noon-6 p.m. Friday at Mt. St. Peters Church, 100 Freeport Road, New Kensington, where the drive is sponsored by Mary Queen of Apostles School. Information: 800-GIVE-LIFE. Programs/classes
The Le Leche League of Irwin will focus on breastfeeding, swimsuits, vacations and other summertime topics at its monthly meeting 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Norwin Christian Church, Barnes Lake Road, North Huntingdon Township. The group educates, encourages and supports pregnant women and nursing mothers; babies are welcome at these informal meetings. Information: 724-863-8852 or 800-LA-LECHE.
Three-week series of diabetes education classes are scheduled to begin Wednesday at these Excela Health locations: -- 9 a.m.-noon, Latrobe Area Hospital.
-- 1-4 p.m., Westmoreland Regional Hospital.
-- 6-9 p.m., Frick Hospital.
The program teaches focuses on nutrition, exercise, medication, risk-factor reduction and other self-care skills that can prevent hospital admissions and some complications of the disease. Information and registration: 877-771-1234.
Excela Health will offer these classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid at the Alex G. McKenna Education Center at Latrobe Area Hospital: -- 6-9:30 p.m. June 15: "Heartsaver Infant and Child," teaches CPR and relief of foreign body airway obstruction for infants and children to lay rescuers such as older children or family members of patients at high risk for sudden cardiac death.
-- 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. June 18: "Basic Life Support for Heath Care Providers," covers CPR for victims of all ages, use of an automated external defibrillator and relief of foreign body airway obstructions. The program is designed for health care employees and those who must take a health care provider course for their employment.
-- 12:30-4:30 p.m. June 18: "Heartsaver First Aid," teaches basic first aid and skills such as recognizing medical injuries.
Fees vary and advance registration is required for all classes. Information: 724-537-1755.
Kicking the tobacco habit is the focus of these Excela Health programs at Latrobe Area Hospital: -- A seven-week "Ready to Quit Smoking" course begins 6-7:30 p.m. June 14 in the hospital's Cardiac Services conference room. Fee is $25; scholarship assistance is available to pregnant women and their partners. Some insurance companies offer reimbursement for the course and anti-smoking aids.
-- "Stay Smart," a smoking cessation support group, meets 6:30-8 p.m. June 14 and 28.
Information and registration: 724-537-1755.
People diagnosed with congestive heart disease may attend an Excela Health class 2-3 p.m. June 14 in the Cardiac Services conference room at Latrobe Area Hospital. Topics will include signs and symptoms, medication, dietary help and exercise. Information and registration: 724-537-1755.
Screening is under way for participation in a year-long "Dr. Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease," a noninvasive treatment option that combines stress management, group support, exercise and nutrition to slow, stop or even reverse the progression of heart disease. The program is sponsored by Excela Health and offered in partnership with Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The cohort will begin in September. "A Taste of Ornish," an open house set for 6-8 p.m. June 23 at Westmoreland Regional Hospital, will give prospective participants a taste of the program. Information: 877-771-1234.
"Fresh from the Farmers Market: Healthy Cooking for the Summer" will be offered 6:30-7:30 p.m. June 20 in the fourth floor seminar room at Excela Health Frick Hospital. Presented by the hospital's clinical nutrition services staff, the course will include a cooking demonstration and a lecture on maintaining good health and preventing disease. Participants will sample foods. Space is limited. Registration is required by June 15; call 877-771-1234.
A facts of life class for boys ages 9-112 and their parents or legal guardians will be offered 6-8 p.m. June 18 at Excela Health Latrobe Area Hospital. The class will detail the physical, social and emotional changes relating to the transition from child to young adult. Information: 724-537-1755. Support Groups
"Look What's Arrived: Parents of Premature Infants" will meet 6 p.m. Friday in conference room C at Westmoreland Regional Hospital. The group meets the second Friday of every month. Guest speakers provide information on caring for preemies' special needs, and experts discuss developmental benchmarks. Parents and other family members may attend. Information and registration: 877-771-1234.
"Heart to Heart/Helping Hearts," for those diagnosed with heart disease or recovering from a cardiac event, will meet 7-9 p.m. June 16 in conference rooms A and D, Westmoreland Regional Hospital, and 2-3 p.m. June 21 in the Latrobe Area Hospital Education Center. Information: Westmoreland Regional Hospital, 877-771-1234, or Latrobe Area Hospital, 724-537-1755.
Volunteer opportunities
Medi Home Hospice will conduct hospice volunteer training 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday and 6:30-9:30 p.m. June 14 at Weatherwood Assisted Living, 896 Weatherwood Lane, Greensburg. Volunteers are needed for bereavement counseling, clerical work and patient care. Information and registration: Margie Zelenak, volunteer coordinator, 877-255-6334.
