Health and support

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Correspondent
Published January 21, 2008

A free seminar on the topic of advanced treatment for prostate enlargement will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, 1395 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs. The guest speaker is Dr. Paul Arnold, urologist. To reserve a seat, call 727 943-3600.

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The Wellness Seminar for smoking cessation is set for 10 a.m. Saturday at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, 1395 S Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs. Cost is $79.99 and is payable after a free orientation at the beginning of the seminar. Call toll-free 1-800- 848-2822.

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The Florida Cancer Institute will conduct a Lunch & Learn program from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Donnie Morgan, an advanced registered nurse practitioner for the Florida Medical Clinic, will discuss skin cancer. Causes and treatment and what to look for will be discussed. Lunch will be served. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Call (813) 783-1676.

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An Osteoporosis Support Group meets at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Shoreline Cafe Meeting room at the rear of the Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point, 14000 Fivay Road in Hudson. Call Esther Estampador at (727) 847-8866.

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Oak Hill Hospital's Healthy Living Community Education series will continue from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 30 at Heritage Pines Country Club, 11524 Scenic Hill Blvd., Spring Hill. Dr. Frank S. Bono, a spine surgeon, will present "You and Your Back." A buffet will be served and free blood pressure, blood oxygen level checks, glucose and cholesterol screens will be offered. Reservations are required by calling (352) 597-6333.

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The Relay For Life Kickoff Rallies, for families, caregivers, cancer survivors, schools and businesses, are scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Wesley Chapel Elementary School, 30243 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel, and at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel. The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, scheduled for April 18-19 at Wesley Chapel High School and for May 9-10 at Wiregrass High School, is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out, barbecue, dance and take turns walking around a track relay-style to raise funds to fight cancer. Call Stephanie Watts at (813) 949-0291, ext. 107 to reserve a place for the kickoff rally. The Web sites are events.cancer.org/rflwesleychapelfl or events.cancer.org/rflwiregrassfl.

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The National Alliance for Mental Illness offers a 12-week education course, free to family and friends of those with mental illness. The next course is scheduled to begin Thursday at Community Hospital, New Port Richey. Registration is required as seating is limited. Call Gloria at (727) 992-9653.

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Gulfside Regional Hospice is hosting a volunteer open house at its administrative offices in Dade City, 37286 Sky Ridge Circle. The open house is from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, and participants will learn about the role of hospice and the volunteer opportunities available to help care for patients and families. Other opportunities are available at administrative offices and thrift shops. After the open house, a three-hour training session is planned for Jan. 31. Reservations are required by calling toll-free, 1-800-561-4883.

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Help with legal problems for Pasco County residents, age 60 and older, is available through Helping the Elderly with Legal Problems. Free 30-minute consultations are available beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday at the CARES Claude Pepper Senior Center, New Port Richey. Call (727) 844-3077 for an appointment. Other appointments are available on Jan. 29 at the CARES Phil Mishkin Center in New Port Richey. Call (727) 862-9291.

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Community Hospital, offers free blood pressure checks from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. each Thursday at 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call (877) 442-2367.

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Adult children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity of Port Richey, 5844 Pine Hill Road in Port Richey. This is a 12-step program that maintains anonymity. Call Bonnie at (727) 862-4556.

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The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, offers three types of support group meetings each month for family and friends of those with mental illness and those with mental illness. This includes all types of brain disorders, including but not limited to OCD, depression, autism, bi-polar, schizophrenia and multiple personalities. Daytime meetings are from 3 to 5 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month at the Regency Park Civic Association Building, 10240 Regency Park Blvd., Port Richey. The evening meetings are from 7:30 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Monday, except holidays, of the month at Conference Room C at Community Hospital, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call Gloria at (727) 992-9653. The Family and Friends Adolescent Support Group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the North Pinellas Children's Medical Center, River Crossing Professional Center, 5508 Little Road, New Port Richey. Call Charity at (727) 457-8514. A consumer support group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at Community Hospital Resource Room, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call Mike at (727) 842-3372 or Olga at (727) 847-2973.

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Nicotine Anonymous meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Educational Center of St. Vincent DePaul Church, 4843 Mile Stretch Drive in Holiday. Call (727) 937-1396.

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The Alzheimer's Family Organization offers two support groups this week. A group meets at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Royal Oak Nursing center, 27200 Road Oak Lane, Dade City. Free respite care is available. Call Nila Premere at (352) 567-3122. Another group meets at 2 p.m. Friday at the Cottages, 5905 Pinehill Road, Port Richey. Call Vicky Hudgins at (727) 845-0527. The organization has a Wanderers Identification Program for people with memory disorder. Each person is given an identifying bracelet or pendant with a code number and telephone number to the participating Sheriff's Office. Call the office for details at (727) 848-8888 or toll-free at 1-888-496-8004

Please send any health related meetings or information to Michelle Jones at mjones721@tampabay.rr.com or fax to (813) 684-2457 or mail to P.O. Box 558, Valrico, FL 33595. Call (813) 685-2200.

[Last modified January 20, 2008, 21:09:51]