Health news and events around the valley, Nov. 12-18, 2015

Families for Effective Autism Treatment fair: Sponsored by Summerlin Pediatric Dentistry, FEAT is set to host the annual picnic and resource fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at Mission Hills Park, 551 E. Mission Drive. Children with autism, along with their friends and family, are welcome to experience a day with bounce houses, face painters, balloon artists, a hamster ball, autism merchandise, barbeque favorites (including options for allergy sensitive people), popcorn, cotton candy, arts and crafts, carnival games fantastic auction items and a resource fair. For a suggested donation of $5 per family, each family will receive 2 tickets to go toward an auction item of their choice. The fair offers the opportunity to connect with the community of professionals and meet local service providers specializing in autism. Few resource booth spaces remain. If you are interested in sharing your services, contact Jennifer at 702-368-3328 or email jennifer@featsonv.org.

Fundraiser amount announced: The 17th annual HeART of Giving Gala raised more than $300,000 for families who depend on the Ronald McDonald House. The Oct. 17 event, held at the Keep Memory Alive Events Center, honored Southwest Medical Associates for their ongoing impact they make on the community. Visit rhmlv.org.

Triage center opening: On Oct. 28, WestCare Nevada announced the opening of its WestCare Community Triage Center and Community Involvement Center at 323 N. Maryland Parkway.

Dinner gala: The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation announced its 22nd annual Profiles of Courage Dinner Gala and Auction, set to honor the children it serves and supporters of the foundation at 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South. All proceeds benefit the foundation's Project ARK (Aids & Resources for Kids), the psychological, emotional, educational and financial support services for families of children suffering from cancer and life-threatening illnesses, as well as the foundation's adult services program, The Caring Place, providing healing arts and wellness programs for adults touched by cancer. Visit nvccf.org.

Scholarship opportunity: High school and college students can be eligible to win a scholarship of up to $2,500 by hosting an American Red Cross blood drive. Registration is open through Nov. 15 to host drives between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15, 2016. The Leaders Save Lives program encourages community-minded high school and college students to host blood drives to help maintain the blood supply around the winter holidays. Students who host a drive can be eligible to win a scholarship for up to $2,500 for higher education and earn a gift card. A total of six scholarships will be awarded to students who host a blood drive collecting 25 blood donations or more. All students who collect at least 25 pints at their blood drive will receive a gift card to giftcertificates.com. Visit redcrossblood.org/leaderssavelives.

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.

Lung Force Walk: The American Lung Association in Nevada — Las Vegas is set to hold its annual Lung Force Walk at 10 a.m. Nov. 14 at Kellogg-Zaher Park, 7901 Washington Ave. Presented by Kindred Hospital Las Vegas, the walk raises funds for those who suffer from lung cancer, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other lung diseases. The event is open to the public and is set to include jump houses, contests, a Survivor Stride Walk for those affected by lung diseases and the Lung Force Walk as well as a Breathe Deeper and Mission Area where walkers can receive health and wellness information and additional health screenings. Everyone is welcomed to participate including families, children in strollers, dogs and dog-walkers and lung cancer survivors. This year, 400 to 500 walkers are expected to attend. To register, visit lungforce.org/walk or call 702-431-6333.

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 from 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 and 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 from 1 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.

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.

Fundraiser for foundation: A fundraiser for Sunrise Children's Foundation is planned for 6 p.m. Nov. 21 at the MGM Grand Conference Center, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The event is set to honor philanthropist Carolyn Sparks. Visit sunrisechildren.org.

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 event 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.

Lung cancer screenings: Summerlin Hospital 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.

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.

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 12:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Healthcare Preparatory Institute, 5831 W. Craig Road. Enter code HEALTHCAREPREP.

From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at UNLV Circle K International, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter code UNLV.

From noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at Eldorado Casino, 140 Water St. Enter code ELD.

From 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 13 at Caesars Entertainment, 1 Harrah's Court. Enter code caesarsent.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 14 at Black Mountain Recreation Center, 599 Greenway Road. Enter code BlackMtn.

From 8 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Nov. 14 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sunrise Stake, 1825 N. Hollywood Blvd. Enter code SunriseStake.

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Endeavor Media Group, 3050 E. Centennial Parkway. Enter code EMG.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 17 at Acuity Financial Center, 7881 W. Charleston Blvd. Enter code Acuity.

From 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at UNLV Association of Pre-Health Professionals, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter code UNLV.

From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 18 Pima Medical Institute, 3333 E. Flamingo Road. Enter code pimamedical.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at UNLV Alpha Epsilon Delta, 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. 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. 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.

Las Vegas

From 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Nov. 12 at the College of Southern Nevada, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.

From 12:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 13 at Copper Creek, 9490 Bermuda Road.

From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Summerlin Community Chruch, 2100 Snow Trail.

From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Asian Community Resource Center, 2770 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 211.

From 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Centennial Hills Library, 6711 N Buffalo Drive

Henderson

From 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 14 at Albertson, 575 W. College Drive.

From 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Nov. 15 at Home Depot, 1030 Sunset Road.

From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17 at Everest College, 170 N. Stephanie St.

From 5 to 8:15 p.m. Nov. 17 at Everest College, 170 N. Stephanie St.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at Art Institute of Las Vegas, 2350 Corporate Circle.