COMMUNITY EVENTS
Brides Against Breast Cancer
June 5 (today) 8 a.m. to noon: Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting wishes to men and women battling stage IV breast cancer, has kicked off its Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour of Gowns and will be stopping in Northern California for three days at Morgan Creek Golf and Country Club, 8791 Morgan Creek Lane, Roseville. Local brides-to-be will have an opportunity to find their dream gowns while making wishes come true for metastatic breast cancer patients. The charity wedding gown sale features hundreds of beautiful gowns donated by manufacturers, designers, retailers and individuals. Specific gown prices range from $199 and up, including hundreds of brand name and designer gowns, some valued up to $8,000. Tiaras, veils, crinolines and other accessories will also be offered. Bridal gown donations will also be accepted for gowns 2006 and newer. For more information about the tour, please visit www.bridesagainstbreastcancer.org. In addition, we are looking for deserving residents in the area with stage IV breast cancer that would like dreams fulfilled. Please direct deserving individuals to the Making Memories website at www.makingmemories.org to secure a wish packet. General Sale – free admission.
Blossoms of Hope Memorial Service for Hospice of San Joaquin
June 7 (Monday) 6 p.m.: Hospice of San Joaquin invites the community to attend its annual memorial service, “Blossoms of Hope,” in Morris Chapel at University of the Pacific, 3601 Pacific Ave, Stockton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The memorial service includes music, special readings and times of silence intermixed with the reading of names of loved ones. The service is open to the public and is nondenominational.To have the name of a loved one read at the service, names must be submitted in writing by June 3. Memorial service forms are available online at www.hospicesj.org. Information: Carrie Lane-Vanderkar, bereavement coordinator, at (209) 957-3888.
Original Juiceman Coming to Lodi for Health and Healing Crusade
June 11-13 (1 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday): Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E. Lockeford St. in Lodi. Admission, food and camping are free. In 1948, Jay Kordish’s entire life changed, as he contracted bladder cancer at the tender age of 25. A world-class athlete and football star at USC, Jay travelled across the United States to New York City to get well by world-renowned physician Dr. Max Gerson, who helped Jay cure himself of bladder cancer. As a result, Jay’s life took a drastic turn for the better within only three months. From then on, Jay was infused with passion to teach all who would listen, taking him from one side of America to the other for more than 40 years. In 1989, Jay started his national television career, making appearances with his juicer, and by the end of 1990, everybody knew not only about Jay Kordich, but about juicing! Jay became beloved in America as the “Father of Juicing” responsible for influencing hundreds of millions of people, with his award-winning infomercial airing for more than 13 years. Dr. Max Gerson’s successor, daughter Charlotte Gerson, now 88, will be joining Jay Kordich and speaking on “Living a Healthy Long Life Disease-Free” at the 10th annual Health and Healing Crusade. Sponsored by Modern Manna — a Lodi-based, nonprofit organization that promotes the healing crusade each year. Information and preregistration at (209) 334-3868 or www.modernmanna.org. Other speakers will include local celebrity and health evangelist Danny Vierra, who starred in the national blockbuster infomercial “The Almighty Cleanse.” Danny has appeared on hundreds of TV and radio shows educating thousands on the benefits of a pure plant-based diet, regular exercise and cleansing your body naturally. Danny is the director of Modern Manna and BellaVita Lifestyle Center in Lodi. Gourmet chefs from Maui, Hawaii, will be demonstrating healthy recipes. Certified raw food chef Debra McCormick Garner will be teaching how to make green smoothies and sprout seeds and grains the simple way. There will be music daily performed by several recording artists. There is no other event like this in the Central California area, and breakfast, lunch and dinner are free! Other features at the Health and Healing Crusade will be loads of health information and detoxifying products, juicers, food dehydrators, health books and DVDs and much more. There are over 200 RV hookups available for a nominal fee requiring preregistration.
Sutter Health’s ‘2009 Report to Our Communities’ Online
Now: Sutter Health’s annual report is available for viewing at www.SutterHealth.org/annualreport. The electronic publication explores how the not-for-profit network’s coordinated approach to patient care helped create efficiencies that improved health-care quality and access. The Sacramento-based organization operates Sutter Tracy Community Hospital in Tracy and Sutter Gould Medical Foundation offices throughout San Joaquin County. Some notable highlights from 2009 include:
- Sutter Health’s affiliated physician organizations were among the first in the country to adopt e-prescribing — a patient-safety system recommended by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
- Aggressive infection prevention efforts in hospitals across Sutter Health helped saved 63 lives.
- The system committed more than $11 million to community health clinics to help keep their doors open.
- A new consumer website — MyLifeStages.org — was launched, connecting women with health information, Sutter-affiliated doctors and more.
- Sutter Health installed its first hospital-based electronic health record system.
HICAP Seeking New Volunteers to Train as Medicare Counselors
Now: HICAP – Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program – that helps individual seniors and the disabled understand the complexities of the often confusing Medicare health benefits they are entitled to is starting training soon for new volunteer counselors in San Joaquin County. Counselors typically volunteer 20 hours per month during normal business hours in Stockton, Tracy, Manteca and Lodi. All that’s needed is computer literacy and the desire to give back to the community. Upon completion of the comprehensive training and mentoring program, counselors will be registered with the California Department of Aging and be assigned to provide counseling services in the county. Those interested in training for the program should contact HICAP volunteer coordinator Susan Billings at (916) 375-3761 or sbillings@hicapservices.net.
Memory Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Oct. 2 (Saturday) 9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. walk begins: California State Capitol South Steps, 10th and L streets, Sacramento. 3 mile route and 1.5 mile shortcut. Call or email Erin Stone at (916) 930-9080 or erin.stone@alznorcal.org. We’re on the move to end Alzheimer’s. If you’re the kind of person who’s not going to sit on the sidelines when there’s a chance to change the future, then you’re the person we need. With more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and nearly 10 million more serving as caregivers, the time to act is now! When you register for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk, you’re joining a nationwide community of thousands of people who are standing up and participating in the fight against this devastating disease.
Kids’ Health Calendar Bay Area
Check out KidsCal for a calendar of children’s health events (click here) sponsored by nonprofit organizations in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, posted by Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health.
Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous
Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m.: Are you having trouble controlling the way you eat? Are you underweight or overweight? Obsessed with weight or dieting? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous groups meet weekly and charge no dues, no fees and have no weigh-ins. Tracy Community Church, 1790 Sequoia Blvd (at 11th Street and Corral Hollow), Tracy. Also meeting in Brentwood at John Muir/Mt. Diablo Medical Center, Second Floor Conference Room, 2400 Balfour Road, from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. Thursdays and in Modesto at Unity Church of Modesto, 2467 Veneman Ave., from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. The organization is interested in starting a weekly meeting in Stockton. Information: (408) 491-9824 or (800) 600-6028or fa@foodaddicts.orgor www.foodaddicts.org.
Grants Available for Children’s Medical Expenses
No deadline: UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to pay for their child’s health-care treatments, services or equipment not covered by their commercial health-insurance plans. Qualifying families could receive up to $5,000 to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical and occupational therapy, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids. Grants are also provided in cases where insurance may cover only a portion of the expenses. To be eligible for grants, children must be 16 years of age or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States and have a commercial health-insurance plan. Parents and legal guardians may apply for grants online at www.uhccf.org. The Web site includes additional grant application criteria, video clips, stories about recently helped children, and a new “live chat” feature that enables visitors to speak directly with a UHCCF representative. Visitors can also make tax-deductible donations directly online. “The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is dedicated to facilitating greater access to medical-related services that can help improve children’s health and quality of life,” UHCCF President Matt Peterson said. “We recognize some families experience gaps in coverage for certain medical treatments and equipment, and we are committed to helping fill this void. Since expanding our grant program nationwide in 2007, we have provided more than 1,500 grants to families in need of financial assistance.” Last year, UHCCF awarded grants to more than 450 families for treatments associated with medical conditions such as speech and developmental delays, hearing loss, autism, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.
SCHOOLS
Medical Billing Class at Delta College
Registration now open: The Community Education program at San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton, is now accepting registration for its Medical Billing class, offered Saturdays starting June 19 through Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Information and registration is available at www.adultedreg.com/delta, then click on “Medical Biller.” There are no minimum state requirements for enrollment. It’s recommended students be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have a medical background or have medical terminology experience. Questions? Phone (209) 954-5045 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
Phlebotomy Class at Delta College
Registration now open: The next Phlebotomy class through the Community Education program at San Joaquin Delta College, 5151 Pacific Ave., Stockton, will be held Saturdays starting Aug. 21 through Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent (required by the state of California for certification). Information and registration at www.adultedreg.com/delta, then click on “Phlebotomy Technician.” Questions? Phone (209) 954-5045 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
Immerse Yourself in Spanish With High Intensity Language Training
June 14 through 19 (Monday through Saturday): San Joaquin County Office of Education will be offering its 18th annual High Intensity Language Training (HILT) program to adults interested in learning or furthering their skills in the Spanish language this summer. The six-day program will provide full immersion into the language through 45 hours of intensive instruction. Enjoy individualized instruction through the program’s small classes as well as a variety of comprehensible activities in Spanish including art, dance, music, culture, games and more. Classes will be separated by level of language proficiency. Registration is first come, first serve, so sign up today! Contact Toni Ludolph at (209) 468-4978.
HOSPITALS
DAMERON HOSPITAL Events
Click here for Dameron Hospital’s Event Calendar.
ST. JOSEPH’S MEDICAL CENTER Classes and Events
Click here for St. Joseph’s Medical Center’s Classes and Events.
DOCTORS HOSPITAL OF MANTECA Events
Click here for Doctors Hospital of Manteca Events finder.
LODI MEMORIAL HOSPITAL Educational Opportunities
Click here for Lodi Memorial Hospital Event Calendar.
SUTTER TRACY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Community Education and Support Groups
Click here for Sutter Tracy Community Hospital events, classes and support groups.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Ongoing resources for vaccinations and clinic information are:
- Public Health Services Influenza webpage on its Web site, www.sjcphs.org
- Recorded message line at (209) 469-8200, extension 2# for English and 3# for Spanish.
- For further information, individuals may call the following numbers at Public Health Services:
- For general vaccine and H1N1 clinic questions, call (209) 468-3862;
- For medical questions, call (209) 468-3822.
Health officials continue to recommend these precautionary measures to help protect against acquiring influenza viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol based sanitizers.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve, when you cough or sneeze.
- Stay home if you are sick until you are free of a fever for 24 hours.
- Get vaccinated.
Public Health Services Immunization Clinic Schedules (Adults and Children)
H1N1 vaccine is available at these clinics. Immunization clinic hours are subject to chance depending on volume of patients or staffing. Check the Public Health Services website for additional evening clinics or special clinics at www.sjcphs.org
- LODI HEALTH CENTER: 300 W. Oak St., Lodi. IMMUNIZATIONS: Thursday 1-4 p.m.; Friday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
- MANTECA HEALTH CENTER: 124 Sycamore Ave., Manteca. IMMUNIZATIONS: 1st Monday of month 1-4 p.m.; other Mondays 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. No clinic last Monday of the month. 1st, 2nd and 4th Wednesday 1-4 p.m.; 3rd Wednesday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
- TRACY HEALTH CENTER: 205 W. Ninth St., Tracy. IMMUNIZATIONS: Tuesday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. (except 3rd Tuesday).
- STOCKTON HEALTH CENTER: 1601 E. Hazelton Ave., Stockton. IMMUNIZATIONS: Tuesday and Thursday 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.
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Check this column regularly for health events of interest to San Joaquin County residents. New events are being added all the time. You never know what you could read here.
Have a health-oriented event the public in San Joaquin County should know about? Let me know at jgoldeen@recordnet.com and I’ll get it into my Health Calendar. I’m not interested in promoting commercial enterprises here, but I am interested in helping out nonprofit and/or community groups, hospitals, clinics, physicians and other health-care providers. Look for four categories: Community Events, Hospitals, Public Health and Schools.
TO THE PUBLIC: I won’t list an item here from a source that I don’t know or trust. So I believe you can count on what you read here. If there is a problem, please don’t hesitate to let me know at (209) 546-8278 or jgoldeen@recordnet.com. Thanks, Joe
