Health news and events around the valley, March 24-30, 2016

Alzheimer’s donations: Affinity Gaming and its Southern Nevada properties are kicking off their corporate citizenship commitment by announcing a partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter Southern Nevada Region. Through donations, events and other support initiatives, Affinity Gaming has dedicated to contribute at least $60,000 in 2016 to the association

Tark Toy Drive: Drop off new toys for children suffering from strokes, injuries or any illnesses through April 9. Children at University Medical Center in Las Vegas and Valley Children’s Hospital in Central California will benefit from these collections. Toys can be dropped off at various locations. Visit tarktoydrive.com/how-you-can-help/#boxes.

Easter Walk & Roll: The eighth annual event to benefit Easter Seals Nevada is set for 8 a.m. March 26 at Lorenzi Park, 3343 W. Washington Ave. Participants, including community leaders, honorary ambassadors and celebrities, will participate in a half-mile walk to raise awareness of Easter Seals Nevada’s programs, which help the 8,000 Nevada residents living with disabilities. Registration is $35 for adults and $20 for kids, seniors, military personnel and virtual walkers. After the walk, an Easter Carnival is set to start at 10 a.m. and include games, entertainment, concessions, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, Easter egg hunts, pictures with the Easter Bunny and other family-friendly activities. Food trucks, vendors and live performances are also planned. Visit events.eastersealsnevada.org/walknroll.

PurpleStride Las Vegas: The Las Vegas affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is planning the 5K or 1K walk/run at 7 a.m. April 2 at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m., with the event beginning at 9 a.m. Events are timed as well as untimed, and family activities are planned. The event helps raise funds for pancreatic cancer research. Register at at purplestride.org/lasvegas.

Job fair: The fair is set from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 7 in the South Magna Conference Room at Desert Springs Hospital, 2075 E. Flamingo Road. Those interested must fill out an online application prior to the fair and bring copies of their resume. On-the-spot interviews will be held for qualified candidates. Candidates must have at least one year of experience as a registered nurse. Acute care experience is preferred. Visit jobs.valleyhealthsystemlv.com.

CPR Saturday: Learn how to save a life and become certified in American Red Cross Adult/Child CPR/AED during the event, planned from 8 a.m. to noon April 16 at the Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road. There is a $20 fee. Register by April 14. Visit bit.ly/1QFxj8I.

AIDS Walk Las Vegas: The event is planned at 8 p.m. April 17 at Town Square Las Vegas, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Children and pets are welcome. Visit afanlv.org.

Neighborhood Health Series: Roseman University of Health Sciences launched its Neighborhood Health Series in January at the university’s Summerlin campus, 1 Breakthrough Way. The free monthly series aims to bring the community in to learn, share and collaborate with physicians, researchers and other health care practitioners on issues related to health and well-being. Sessions are planned from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on the following dates:

April 14: High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol, A Pharmacists’ Perspective, featuring Dr. Ragini Bhakta

May 19: Depression, Research and Treatment, featuring Dr. Jeffrey Talbot

June 16: High Blood Pressure, New Thinking about the J-Curve, Prevention, Treatment and Research, featuring Dr. Bruce Morgenstern

EMG Blood Drives: Blood drives are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 23, July 23 and Oct. 22 in the parking lot of Lakeside Business Suites, 2620 Regatta Drive, Suite. 102. Look for the United Blood Services bus. RSVP online at EMGcares.org or by phone at 702-823-4364.

Power of Love gala: Keep Memory Alive’s 20th annual celebrity-featured event is planned to honor Tony Bennett for his 90th birthday this year on May 21. The gala includes performances, live auctions, wine and cocktails and cuisine by Wolfgang Puck and raises money for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Tickets are available at keepmemoryalive.org/pol.

Mobile Crisis Response Team: The Mobile Crisis Response Team is a state-funded organization providing community-based services for youths experiencing a mental health crisis, such as suicidal and/or homicidal behavior, acute psychosis, extreme parent/child conflict, difficulty adjusting to serious peer relationship issues such as bullying, or any other serious mental health problem. The organization aims to provide immediate crisis intervention while reducing the need for psychiatric hospitalization in Nevada youth. Visit KnowCrisis.com.

Family Room opens: Southern Nevada’s first Ronald McDonald Family Room opened March 16 at Sunrise Children’s Hospital, 3186 Maryland Parkway, Suite 200. It provides families with a comfortable and supportive space to sleep, eat, rest and recharge and yet remain close to their baby’s bedside in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Visit rmhlv.org.

Portable health unit: UnitedHealthcare’s Health Plan of Nevada and Southwest Medical are launching Medicine on the Move, a portable doctor’s office that brings health care closer to people’s homes and workplaces. It offers patients a wide range of health care services, such as pediatric and primary care, immunizations, X-rays, mammographies, physicals and basic lab tests, and features two exam rooms, a laboratory for urinalysis and blood tests, a radiology lab, a lobby and a restroom. The mobile center is staffed by a provider, two licensed practical nurses, two medical assistants and a radiology technician. It is furnished with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and is designed to have a similar look and feel to traditional Southwest Medical clinics. The 45-foot-long clinic will travel to community centers, homeless shelters and churches. Medicine on the Move will also make regular visits to some businesses whose employees are enrolled in Health Plan of Nevada or Sierra Health and Life medical benefit plans. To view a calendar of the mobile clinic’s future locations, visit MedicineOnTheMoveNV.com. To schedule an appointment, call 800-382-0870.

Online health challenge: The Southern Nevada Health District is launching its annual 10-in-10 Challenge, the online program that helps participants both cut and burn more calories. Participants can sign up for the free program on the Get Healthy Clark County website at GetHealthyClarkCounty.org. The program is also available in Spanish at VivaSaludable.org. Call the Office of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at 702-759-1270.

Trials and other volunteer-oriented information:

Shingles clinical trial: The FV-100 shingles clinical trial has several sites in Las Vegas and is currently enrolling to test a potential treatment for shingles that could prevent long-lasting post-herpetic neuralgia pain for patients who are able to recognize the early signs of the disease and receive treatment within 72 hours of the first signs/symptoms of shingles. Patients must meet the following criteria to prequalify for the study: be 50 or older; able to receive the first dose of study medication within 72 hours (3 days) of a possible shingles rash appearing; have not received the shingles vaccine; history of no more than two episodes of shingles; and the onset of shingles must not be on face, eyes, or mouth. Visit GotShingles.com. The website allows for a ZIP code search to find participating physicians in your area.

Patient and Family Advisory Council: HealthInsight Nevada is creating a Patient and Family Advisory Council to help better understand the health care system from the patient’s viewpoint. Patients, families and caregivers participating in the council will share their personal stories and health care experiences. HealthInsight Nevada is recruiting members from many different backgrounds from all regions of Nevada. Contact Gina Pirozzi at gpirozzi@healthinsight.org or 702-933-7326.

Alzheimer’s study: The Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health are recruiting participants for their new, multicenter Alzheimer’s disease treatment trial EMERGE. The main purpose of the study is to determine if the experimental drug B11B037 can slow down the progression of symptoms in early AD. Men and women 50 to 85 diagnosed with AD and experiencing mild cognitive impairment with common symptoms, such as memory loss, are needed to complete the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Additional study requirements include having a Clinical Dementia Rating-Global score of 0.5, a positive amyloid Position Emission Tomography scan and a reliable caregiver. Study participants will visit their respective trial sites to receive monthly injections during the course of the 78-week trial. The severity of dementia and changes in functional and cognitive impairment in participants will be measured and compared to evaluate the drug’s ability in slowing the progression of AD. Tests and assessments to monitor participants’ health include the completion of several interviews and questionnaires to measure how they are thinking, feeling and performing in everyday activities; physical examinations; Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans; PET (positron emission tomography); and measurements of vital signs. Call 216-445-9009. To enroll at Lou Ruvo, call 702-483-6000, or contact Monica Guerra at 702-701-7893. For more information about ongoing trials, visit ClevelandClinic.org/clinicaltrials.

Ongoing health events and blood drives:

Southern Nevada Health District app: The Walk Around Nevada app is a free, online program that helps participants increase physical activity by virtually logging 1,442 miles as they walk around the state. It can be downloaded through the Apple store for iOS devices or from Google Play for Android. Visit gethealthyclarkcounty.org or SNHD.info/apps.

Free Blood Pressure Screenings: The screenings are scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the MountainView Hospital Medical Office Building, H2U, Suite 114, 3150 N. Tenaya Way. Registration is required. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

MS Stretch & Flex: The events are planned for 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays at the MountainView Hospital Medical Office Building, H2U, Suite 114, 3150 N. Tenaya Way. This class is free for people with multiple sclerosis and current members of H2U. There is a $5 fee for others. Registration is required. Call 702-233-5474 or visit mountainview-hospital.com.

Bladder Cancer Support Group: The group is set to meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive. Email don@donrosiew@gmail.com or terikoehler@gmail.com.

Cervical Cancer Support Group: The group is set to meet at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive, and is facilitated by Branda Kent, Nevada Chapter leader for the Cervical Cancer Coalition. For upcoming meeting information, call Ginger Fidel, Summerlin Hospital Oncology Program coordinator, at 702-233-7751.

Flu shots still available: The Southern Nevada Health District reported its first flu-related deaths in Clark County for the 2015-16 season of two males, each older than 60. The Health District reminds Southern Nevadans that flu season typically peaks in January and February, and there is still time to receive a flu vaccine. Informational awareness campaign InFLUence Others: Get Vaccinated urges Nevadans to get influenza vaccines and offers tips at its website. According to a recent op-ed by Amerigroup’s medical director, Dr. Richard Roberts and Heidi Parker, executive director of Immunize Nevada, the flu affects up to 60 million people each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now advise that all people 6 months or older receive an annual influenza vaccination. Visit influencenevada.org. For more information, call 702-759-0850 or visit southernnevadahealthdistrict.org or cdc.gov/flu/index.htm.

Walk with a UMC Doc: Free Walk with a UMC Doc events are planned at 9:30 a.m. the third Thursday of the month at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Visit umcsn.com.

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. Free testing is also available from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Aid for AIDS of Nevada offices, 1120 Almond Tree Lane. No appointments are necessary, and anyone 13 or older will be tested. Visit afanlv.org.

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; RSVP by calling 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 meetings: 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: 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.

Stroke support group: 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.

From 2 to 3:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month on the fourth floor in the acute rehabilitation unit in the dining room at Valley Hospital, 620 Shadow Lane. Call 702-388-8441 or 702-388-4619. Light refreshments will be served.

Cardiac support group meetings:

At 10 a.m. the third Saturday of the month in the cafeteria at Desert Springs Hospital, 2075 E. Flamingo Road. Call 702-369-7560.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month in Conference Room B at Spring Valley Hospital, 5400 S. Rainbow Blvd. RSVP by calling 702-388-4888. This support group provides peer-to-peer patient support and education including meeting others living with heart disease, learning how to live with heart disease and having your questions answered by knowledgeable staff members.

At 10:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of the month in Classroom 1A at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center, 657 N. Town Center Drive. RSVP by calling 702-233-7470. Topics vary and include guest speakers, resources and open discussion by helping those with cardiac issues continue their recovery, provide education and encourage ongoing exercise.

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. The locations include:

From noon to 3 p.m. March 25 at Eldorado Casino, 140 Water St. Enter code ELD.

From 8 to 11 a.m. March 28 at Terrie X. Tran, D.D.S., 10545 S. Eastern Ave. Enter code Allsmiles.

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 28 at the Department of Motor Vehicles, 2701 E. Sahara Ave. Enter code dmvsahara.

From 9 a.m. to noon March 28 at Kindred Hospital, 2250 E. Flamingo Road. Enter code KindredFlamingo.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 29 at UNLV Student Recreation and Wellness Center, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter code UNLV.

From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 29 at UNLV Circle K International, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter code UNLV.

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. Recently, Red Cross announced a new RapidPass program, which allows donors to complete pre-donation reading and health history questions online on the day of their donation using a computer at home or work, reducing the time spent at blood drives by approximately 15 minutes.

From 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 24 at College of Southern Nevada High School, Building C, 700 College Drive.

From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 24 at Terrible Herbst, 6885 W. Tropicana Ave.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 25 at Sky Pointe Landing Apartments, 5850 Sky Pointe Drive.

From 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 25 at Terrible Herbst, 5982 Losee Road, No. 200.

From noon to 5 p.m. March 26 at Church of God International, 4331 W. Charleston Blvd., Unit D.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 28 at SpringHill Suites Las Vegas Convention Center, 2989 Paradise Road.

From 12:30 to 4:45 p.m. March 28 at Bureau of Land Management, 4701 N. Torrey Pines Drive.

From 8:39 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31 at Lowe’s, 6050 W. Craig Road.