Free Expectant Parents class scheduled
WELLSBORO - Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital will hold a free Expectant Parents class from 7 to 8:30 p.m. today in the hospital conference room. The class will discuss labor preparation and comfort techniques.
It is part of a cycle of classes addressing common questions and concerns of expectant parents, including labor and delivery, c-sections, breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, swaddling, physical/emotional changes and newborn needs. Participants may attend classes at any time during the cycle. Walk-ins welcomed.
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For more information, call 723-0375.
Susquehanna Health plans healthy events
Susquehanna Health will hold the following healthy events to educate the community:
Osteoporosis and dumbbells program - 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Did you know that bone loss begins at 30? Join physical therapist Bonnie Dodge for a free osteoporosis and dumbbells program to learn about reducing bone loss, building muscle and stimulating metabolism using free weights. The program will be held at The LifeCenter. A free posture screening and bone density heel screening, as well as a pedometer, will be offered to all participants. Comfortable clothing and shoes, as well as a pair of light weights (1-3 pounds) are recommended for participation. Seating is limited. To register, call 1-877-883-4791.
Planning on canning - 10:30 a.m. to noon May 15. Interested in learning the proper way to preserve your own foods or need a quick refresher? Penn State Cooperative Extension's Vicki Lewis will provide a free program on the basics of food preservation and storage to help participants enjoy tasty, homemade foods in no time. Meet at The LifeCenter. Individuals who have canners at home should bring their dial gauge to check it for accuracy after the program. Seating is limited. To register, call 1-877-883-4791.
Geisinger physician to speak on osteoporosis
LEWISBURG - Dr. Thomas Olenginski, rheumatology specialist at Geisinger Medical Center, will present a lecture on osteoporosis at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Public Library for Union County, 255 Reitz Blvd.
Olenginski will present "Know your bones: What everyone needs to know about osteoporosis." It will provide information on awareness, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is considered a major public health threat in the U.S. It affects about 52 million men and women over the age of 50 each year. Current trends show the number is increasing, and by 2020 the number will rise to 61 million.
Individuals interested in maintaining optimal bone mass and reducing their risk of osteoporotic fractures in the future can register for the free lecture by calling CareLink at 800-275-6401 or online at geisinger.edu/events.
Bone marrow drive planned to help local man
JERSEY SHORE - The family of Donnie Laubscher, of Jersey Shore, will hold a bone marrow drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Elks Lodge No. 1057, 203 N. Main St.
Laubscher was a healthy 47-year-old husband and father when blood work from a routine colonoscopy suggested that something was wrong. After a marrow biopsy and appointments at the local cancer center, he received a frightening diagnosis: myelodysplatic syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal stem cell disorder.
He is undergoing chemotherapy, but Laubscher's doctors believe his best shot at survival is to receive a stem cell transplant. To do that, he must find a matching donor.
Registering to become a bone marrow donor entails only a cheek swab, but it is a commitment to help save a life. Donors must be between ages 18 and 55 and in good general health. Those who register with DKMS Americas can be found as a donor match for any patient in need of a bone marrow transplant.
"Somebody out there could be our hero," Laubscher's wife, Angie, said. "We just need to find them. The more people who swab, the better the chances are."
For more information about DKMS and to learn more about registering as a bone marrow donor, visit www.getswabbed.org.
Free Better Breathers Club meets this month
WELLSBORO - The Better Breathers Club, a free support group for people with lung disease, will meet at 6:30 p.m. May 17 in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital's conference room.
The instructor will be Carol Lee Ames, cardiopulmonary therapist. The group meets the third Thursday of each month (except July). No registration is necessary; walk-ins welcome.
For more information, call staff development at 723-0192.
Screenings for stroke, osteoporosis
On May 17 and 24, Life Line Screening will offer five screenings to determine the risk of stroke and osteoporosis. The cost starts at $149.
Screenings will be held May 17 at the Messiah Senior Community Center, 324 S. Howard St., South Williamsport; and on May 24 at the Greenview Alliance Church, 1955 Warrensville Road, Montoursville.
The screenings will identify blocked arteries, irregular heart rhythm, abdominal aortic aneurysms and hardening of the arteries in the legs. A bone density screening to assess osteoporosis risk also will be given. The tests take 60 to 90 minutes to complete.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-877-237-1287 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com. Advance registration is required.
Hospital plans uniform sale
WELLSBORO - A Scrubs-n-More sale will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital board room.
A wide variety of uniforms in prints and solids, pants, jackets, tops, shoes and clogs will be available.
Funds benefit the hospital auxiliary. Checks, cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted.
For more information, call Faith Preston at 723-0191.
AIDS Walk planned at college
AIDS Resource Alliance Inc. will hold its annual AIDS Walk at 1 p.m. May 20 at the Lycoming College Rec Center.
Teams of at least two people may participate and raise funds for the alliance. Teams may register in advance or on-site at noon.
The event also will include food, music, prizes and free child care for walkers.
For more information, or to register, call Kirsten Burkhart, alliance executive director, at 322-8448, ext 11, or email walk@aidsresource.com.
Low-cost eyeglass progam available
WELLSBORO - A low-cost eyeglass program will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 22 at the CareerLink building, 56 Plaza Drive.
North Western PA Optical Clinic is a privately funded program that provides income-eligible persons with eyeglasses for $36, including lined bifocals. No-lines are available for an additional cost. Solid tint also is available.
Income guidelines are $21,032 for one person, $27,992 for two people and increases by $6,960 for each additional person in the household.
Glasses are paid for at the time in cash or by money order, measured for the lenses and then mailed to patients' homes.
Patients will need to have a prescription and an appointment. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-901-1912.
The base clinic site is at 903 Diamond St. Through that site, 12 satellite locations are available in Renovo, Lock Haven, Dushore, Lewisburg, State College, Bloomsburg, Towanda, Scranton, Tannersville, Selinsgrove, Shamokin and Wellsboro.
Visits to the area are scheduled every six to eight weeks. Call for more dates, times and locations.
