Health news and events around the valley, Oct. 29-Nov. 4, 2015

Breast cancer research supporters: Petty Holdings LLC, owner/operator of Drive Vegas, has partnered with Southern Nevada's local chapter of the American Cancer Society by donating 5 percent of all online registrations from any Richard Petty Driving Experience King's Experience, Zero 1 Desert Adventure Pioneer Adventure, American Muscle Car Challenge and Indy Racing Experience booked at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway through Oct. 31. Drive Vegas is also allowing guests the opportunity to honor breast cancer survivors and those who have died by signing an honorary pink car hood to be displayed at the Drive Vegas media center. Call 800-237-3889 or visit drivevegas.com.

Digital breast cancer screenings: To celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Breast Center at Sunrise, Southern Hills Hospital and Red Rock Radiology at MountainView Hospital are offering $75 digital screening mammograms through Oct. 31 for women who may be uninsured or under-insured. Program participants must be at least 40 years old. Some insurances may fully cover the mammogram. Call MountainView Hospital at 855-445-2246, option 1; Southern Hills Hospital at 702-880-2949; or Red Rock Radiology at 855-476-1268.

$55 Mammograms planned in October: The Valley Health System is offering $55 mammogram screenings weekdays in October. A physician's order is required and should be brought to the appointment. Results will be mailed to the insurance. Insurance will not be billed. Call 702-369-7710 to make an appointment at: Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive; Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd.; or Summerlin Hospital, 657 N. Town Center Drive.

Healthy holiday challenge: The Southern Nevada Health District's free, web-based program the Get Healthy Holiday Challenge is set to run through Jan. 1, 2016. The program offers a weekly challenge and tools to track progress during the 12-week period. Each week, an email health challenge will be distributed that provides tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle and tips to navigate the holiday party buffet table. The program also provides recipes and an interactive blog. Contact the Southern Nevada Health District's Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at 702-759-1270 or visit snhd.info or gethealthyclarkcounty.org.

Hospital pharmacies: Centennial Hills, Desert Springs, Spring Valley, Summerlin and Valley hospitals are offering retail pharmacies available to patients and the general public to provide over-the-counter medications and prescription medications. The pharmacies accept most insurance plans, including Medicare Part D plans. Visit valleyhealthsystemlv.com.

Lung cancer screenings: Summerlin Hospital, 657 N. Town Center Drive, now offers low-dose computerized tomography lung scans for people who are considered high-risk for developing lung cancer. This includes adults ages 55 to 80 who have: smoked one pack every day for 30 years; smoked two packs every day for 15 years; or have continued smoking for 15 or more years. This non-invasive, outpatient procedure is covered by Medicare and a physician's order is required. It is recommended to check with one's insurance company to ensure coverage of this screening. Visit lungcancerscreeningssaveslives.org to go through a series of questions to help determine if one meets the guidelines for the screening.

Look Good Feel Better Session: The session is set for 6 p.m. Oct 29 at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada — Northwest, 7455 Peak Drive. The program is a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Professional Beauty Association and aims to help patients learn beauty techniques as they progress through their cancer treatment. In-person workshops help women with cancer manage the appearance-related side effects of treatment. Trained volunteer beauty professionals teach techniques on skin care, makeup, and nail care, and give practical tips on hair loss, wigs, and head coverings. Call 702-891-9009.

Health care awards planned for Oct. 29: The Dr. Roy W. Martin Fourth Annual Inspired Excellence in Healthcare Awards are planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Las Vegas HEALS (Health, Education, Advocacy and Leadership of Southern Nevada) is set to honor six local physicians for their contributions to the Las Vegas community: Dr. Joseph Adashek of Desert Perinatal Associates; Dr. Rutu Ezhuthachan of United Healthcare; Dr. Mitchell Forman of Touro University; Dr. Oscar B. Goodman Jr. of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and Roseman University of Health Sciences; Dr. David Steinberg of Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging; and Dr. Dylan Wint of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Call 702-952-2477 or visit lasvegasheals.org.

Free Medicare 101 Seminar: Participants can discover the ABCs of Medicare benefits, including important enrollment and lock-in dates; enrollment and eligibility requirements; and tools to choose the best option from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center — West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105. Free refreshments are planned. Space is limited. Reserve a seat by calling 855-861-8277.

Light the Night Walk: The Southern Nevada chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's annual Light The Night Walk is planned at 5 p.m. Nov. 7 at 899 Fremont St. The walk is held in more than 200 communities across the country and features teams of co-workers, families and friends walking together in twilight holding illuminated lanterns — white for survivors, red for supporters and gold to remember loved ones lost. The Walk, which commemorates lives touched by blood cancers, is a fundraiser to support blood cancer research for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma. The event will include music, refreshments and family activities. Registration is set to open at 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to raise at least $100 to become Champions for Cures and receive an illuminated lantern. Those who raise $1,000 or more join the Bright Lights Club and receive a special long-sleeve shirt and access to the VIP area at the walk. And unique in Las Vegas, all those who raise $1,864 or more are part of the Club 1864 (named for the year Nevada became a state) and receive all Champions for Cures and Bright Lights Club benefits, plus VIP parking. Individuals and teams can register for the walk at lightthenight.org/snv.

Free Medicare 101 Seminar: Participants can discover the ABCs of Medicare benefits, including important enrollment and lock-in dates; enrollment and eligibility requirements; and tools to choose the best option from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 11 at Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center — East, 5820 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 100. Free refreshments are planned. Space is limited. Reserve a seat by calling 855-861-8277.

Trial participants sought: The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is recruiting participants for a new, multicenter Alzheimer's disease treatment trial, Rasagiline Rescue (R2), designed to determine if treatment with Rasagiline is associated with improved brain glucose metabolism and improvement in memory. Men and women 50 to 90 suffering from mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer's disease are needed to complete the free, six-month study. Other qualifications for trial participation include having a study partner willing and able to comply with required procedures and at least eight years of education. Call 855-568-7886 or contact Yolande Mucharbach at 702-685-7070 or muchary@ccf.org. For more information about the center and other ongoing trials, visit clevelandclinic.org/brainhealth.

Flu vaccines: The Southern Nevada Health District's flu vaccine clinics began Sept. 21 at all locations where patients can receive the injectable, quadrivalent flu vaccine. The cost of the vaccine is $41, and the trivalent high-dose vaccine for people 65 or older is $59. Contact the health district's immunization clinic at 702-759-0850 or visit snhd.info.

New nursing program: Centennial Hills Hospital recently launched a partnership with Nevada State College nursing students. Beginning in September, eight nursing students from Nevada State College are embarking upon a new model of learning as they care for patients on the sixth floor of Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive, once a week for the next two years. Known as the Caring Science Unit, the students are mentored by Centennial Hills Hospital nurses, who serve as Caring Coaches. In their role, they teach both clinical skills and caring practices to students as they work with patients.

Hospital expansion: Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive, is set to begin building out the fourth floor of the hospital later this year, adding a total of 36 inpatient beds and increasing its total inpatient bed count to 226 when the project is completed during the fourth quarter of 2016. The $9.7 million project includes transforming a previous shelled space into 20 private medical/surgical rooms and 16 intermediate medical care rooms to meet the increasing demand for inpatient care, according to Sajit Pullarkat, CEO/managing director of Centennial Hills Hospital. The overall project will also include additions to the hospital's current infrastructure to improve efficiency of patient care as well as visitor and staff convenience. These include additional parking, an additional elevator and other departmental improvements, according to Ryan Moon, chief operating officer of Centennial Hills Hospital.

New primary care practices opening: Humana Inc. and HealthCare Partners Nevada, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., will further solidify the partnership by opening two new primary care practices in Nevada. Opening under the HealthCare Partners Nevada brand, the two new primary care practices located in Southern Nevada are designed with Humana's Medicare Advantage members in mind. The new practices are located at 6210 N. Durango Drive, Building, and 745 S. Green Valley Parkway, Suite 160. Visit humana.com/accountable-care.

Health Link Health Fair: Nevada Health Link is set to kick off the open enrollment period with a Health Fair for Uninsured and Underinsured Nevadans from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at the College of Southern Nevada Charleston campus, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd. Nevada residents seeking affordable, high-quality, income-appropriate health insurance are invited to attend. The enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2016. Attendees can speak one-on-one with licensed broker agents and certified enrollment assisters, find out if they are eligible for federal tax credits and subsidies to help cover insurance costs, find licensed brokers, or receive a free health screening by various health service providers. Food trucks are set to be on site. Visit nevadahealthlink.com.

Autism Gala: The sixth annual Fashion for Autism Gala is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Aria, 3730 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The theme of the evening is Bringing a Solution Into Focus. Featuring Porsche Design at Crystals, the fashion event celebrates community members leading the fight against autism and benefits the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation. To purchase tickets, call 702-564-2453 or visit grantagiftautismfoundation.org or email events@grantagiftautismfoundation.org.

Heart and stroke walk and run: Billed as Oscar vs. Oscar, former Mayor and Host Committee Chairman for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Oscar Goodman and his son Dr. Oscar B. Goodman Jr. have joined in a dual citywide challenge to knock out cardiovascular disease and stroke in support of the 24th annual Heart & Stroke Walk and Run, set for Nov. 7 at the Fremont Street Experience. The duo invite business leaders and physicians to accept the challenge by setting a personal fundraising goal of $2,500. The event includes a Kids Zone, free health screenings, live entertainment, food, and more. Heart and stroke survivors can participate in a 1-mile survivor route and will receive special survivor T-shirts. Visit lasvegasheartwalk.org or call 702-789-4370.

Medicine Ball: Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that provides the uninsured with access to preventative and comprehensive medical care, invites the public to attend the Seventh Annual Volunteers in Medicine Ball, set for 6 p.m. Nov. 7 at The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The fundraiser is set to honor Donald D. Snyder, a philanthropic and community leader and presidential advisor for strategic initiatives at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the former chairman of the board and CEO of First Interstate Bank of Nevada, co-founder of Bank of Nevada and founding board chair of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The event includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, dancing and a live auction in a Vintage Vegas theme. Proceeds raised during the event support VMSN's operations in Southern Nevada. Contact VMSN at 702-967-0530, ext. 207, or visit vmsn.org. To sponsor or purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/2015medicineball.

Honor ride: The event-opening ceremony is set for 8 a.m. Nov. 7 at the MGM Festival Lot, 3799Las Vegas Blvd. South. The Honor Ride Las Vegas is a self-paced, non-competitive cycling event open to all veterans and the general public. The ride raises funds for Ride 2 Recovery, which provides physical and psychological rehabilitation programs for injured veterans, featuring cycling as its core activity. Three routes are planned at 20, 40 and 70 miles. Breakfast is to be provided pre-ride. The finish will include a festival-like atmosphere that includes lunch and music. Fees are $65 to $85 and include an event shirt, finishing medal, fully stocked rest stops, SAG support and lunch. There is no cost for injured veterans. For route information, visit ride2recovery.com.

Health benefits fair: The National Active & Retired Federal Employees Association Lake Mead District Henderson Chapter No. 2031 is set to host its annual Health Benefits Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive. Attendees can learn about many insurance organizations, long term care, assisted living and healthy living agencies. Federal employees, active and retired, are invited. Contact Verena Briley Hudson at 702-998-6757 or verenajo@otmail.com.

Bariatric seminar: The free seminar is set from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 14 at MountainView Hospital, 3100 N. Tenaya Way. Learn about bariatric (weight loss) surgery, the different types and steps toward making this life change. Registration is required two business days prior. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

MountainView Lunch & Learn: The GME Continuity Clinic and Heart Failure Clinic is set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 18 at H2U, Suite 114, 3150 N. Tenaya Way. The guest physician is Ali Rahimi, director of internal medicine, for an informational program on the GME Continuity Clinic and Heart Failure Clinic. The Heart Failure clinic will be the first of its kind in Las Vegas to serve the community's needs in preventing readmissions, increasing access to preventative heart failure treatments, while focusing on patient education and maximizing pharmacological treatments. Following the presentation will be a question-and-answer session with Dr. Rahimi. Registration is required two business days prior. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

Diabetes and Nutrition: The class is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at MountainView Hospital's 1 South Conference Room, 3100 N. Tenaya Way. Expect a discussion about the role nutrition plays in diabetes management. Light refreshments will be served. Registration is required two business days prior. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

Smith's donation: Smith's Food & Drug Stores contributed $400,000 this year for the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation Charity Care Program, bringing the grocery chain's total donations to more than $1 million to date.

Walk with a Doc events scheduled: Free Walk with a Doc events are planned at 8 a.m. the third Thursday of the month at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Upcoming event topics are Nov. 19, Eating Healthily; and Dec. 17, Coping with Psychiatry. Visit umcsn.com.

Better Breathers Club plans meetings: The American Lung Association in Nevada invites those with lung health disease, their loved ones and caregivers to a Better Breathers Club meetings planned at the following locations and times each month:

Second Tuesdays, noon to 1 p.m. in the conference room at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive; 702-835-9898.

Last Fridays, 3 to 4 p.m. at Prestige Care at Mira Loma, 2520 Wigwam Parkway; 702-431-6348.

First Thursdays, 1 to 2 p.m. at St. Rose Women's Care and Outreach Center, 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway; 702-616-4910.

First Wednesdays, 6 to 7:30 p.m., United in Hope: Lung Cancer Survivors Support Group, at Kindred Hospital Las Vegas, 2250 E. Flamingo Road; at 702-353-2039 or lysa71@cox.net.

Fibromyalgia group meets second, third Thursdays: The Fibromyalgia Friends Support Group of Southern Nevada is scheduled to meet during lunch and evening sessions the second and third Thursday of the month. Lunch meetings are set from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fiesta Henderson buffet, 777 W. Lake Mead Parkway. Evening meetings are planned from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Barbara Greenspun Women's Care Center, 2651 Paseo Verde Parkway, Suite 180. Visit fmfriends.org.

Breast cancer empowerment group set to meet monthly: A free Breast Cancer Empowerment/Support Group is set to meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive. Topics vary and include guest speakers, resources and open discussion with the goal of helping to empower and support women. RSVP by calling 702-233-7155.

Free STD testing available: Free weekly STD screenings are available at the Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada and the Richard Steele Boxing Facility. Visit snhd.info/sexual-health-clinic.

Stroke support group planning monthly meetings: The Stroke Support Group is set to meet at various times monthly:

From 3 to 4 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive, 702-233-7061.

From 3 to 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive, 702-629-1309.

From 10 a.m. to noon the first Saturday of the month at the South Magna Conference Center, south of the Desert Springs Hospital main entrance, 2075 E. Flamingo Road, 702-369-7560. Recommended parking is off Bruce Street. Lunch is provided.

From 10 to 11:30 a.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month on the fourth floor of Valley Hospital, 620 Shadow Lane. Call 702-388-8441 or 702-388-4619. Light refreshments will be served.

Bloodmobile drives planned across valley: UBS Bloodmobile drives are planned at multiple times and locations around the valley. Call 702-233-9620 or visit unitedbloodservices.org and enter the code, if available, below. The locations include:

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 30 in Scottsdale Rooms A and B or C and D at the Aliante, 7300 Aliante Parkway.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South.

From 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 1 in the Mac Donald Conference Room at Dignity Health — St. Rose Dominican Hospital — Siena Campus, 3001 St. Rose Parkway. Enter code StRoseSiena.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 1 in the Aljian Meeting Center at Dignity Health — St. Rose Dominican Hospital — San Martin Campus, 8280 W. Warm Springs Road. Enter code StRoseSanMartin.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Enter code FlamingoLib.

From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Tonopah Conference Room at the UNLV Residence Hall Association, 4750 Gym Road. Enter code UNLV.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4 in the Casablanca Room at the Cannery, 5255 Boulder Highway. Enter code eastsidecannery.

From 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at One Nevada Credit Union, 645 S. Mojave Road. Enter code NFCU.

American Red Cross blood drives scheduled around the valley: The American Red Cross encourages residents to donate. Blood drives are planned continually across the valley. All blood types are needed, especially O negative, A negative and B negative, on a regular basis. To schedule a donation appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Additionally, the Red Cross and Sport Clips Haircuts are teaming up through September. Those who donate blood or platelets during the month will receive a free haircut coupon valid through Nov. 8.

Las Vegas

From 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at Cirque du Soleil, 980 Kelly Johnson Blvd.

From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at the College of Southern Nevada, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.

From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at Wells Fargo Bank, 6325 S. Rainbow Blvd.

From 2:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 3 at Whole Foods, 8855 W. Charleston Blvd.

From 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 at Chamberlain College of Nursing, 9901 Covington Cross Drive.

Henderson

From 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Nov. 4 at In Corp, 2360 Corporate Center, Suite 400.

North Las Vegas

From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.