Health news and events around the valley, Nov. 19-25, 2015

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.

Solutions Recovery launches initiatives: Addiction treatment center Solutions Recovery launched three new initiatives to expand its services in Southern Nevada, including opening a new on-site alcohol and drug-testing laboratory capable of running up to 600 tests per hour at the Solutions Recovery campus at 2975 S. Rainbow Blvd.; opening a new office in downtown Las Vegas providing intensive outpatient services at 1000 N. Main St., No. 200; and launching two new levels of care for clients with unique treatment needs, providing specialized 24-hour care for inpatient clients with withdrawal symptoms and additional issues such as behavioral and cognitive problems. Email Jessica Kantor at jkantor@solutions-recovery.com or visit solutions-recovery.com.

Pancreatic cancer awareness: November is World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network affiliates in cities across the nation are set to join to raise a greater awareness of this disease in hopes of establishing early diagnostic protocols and improved treatments that can extend the lives of those who have this disease. For event listings and more information, visit pancan.org.

Fundraiser for foundation: A fundraiser for the 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.

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.

Remember Our Angels: The Angel Tree event for those who have lost a pregnancy, infant or child is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 in the main classroom at Summerlin Hospital, 657 N. Town Center Drive. Parents and siblings can bring a personalized ornament from home and place it on the tree in memory of the child. A candle lighting will also be held. Light refreshments will be provided. Call 702-233-7186.

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 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 19 at Arizona Charlie's, 4575 Boulder Highway. Enter code azcboulder.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 19 at UNLV Alpha Epsilon Delta, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter code UNLV.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at Whitney Ranch Recreation Center, 1575 Galleria Drive. Enter code Whitneyranch.

From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive. Enter code summerlin.

From 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 22 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. 22 at Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican Hospital – San Martin Campus, 8280 W. Warm Springs Road. Enter code StRoseSanMartin.

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at Department of Motor Vehicles, 2701 E. Sahara Ave. Enter code dmvsahara.

From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at Department of Motor Vehicles, 8250 W. Flamingo Road. Enter code dmvflamingo.

From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 24 at Department of Motor Vehicles, 7170 N. Decatur Blvd. Enter code dmvdecatur.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 24 at UNLV Alpha Phi Omega, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Enter code UNLV.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 24 at College of Southern Nevada, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. Enter code CSNCheyenne.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 25 at Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Enter code saharawest.

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 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Las Vegas Nevada Lone Mountain Stake, 8801 W. Alexander Road.

From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 131 N. 9th St.

From 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 24 at Las Ventanas Retirement Community, 10401 W. Charleston Blvd.

From 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

North Las Vegas

From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at North Vista Hospital, 1409 E. Lake Mead Blvd.

From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Calvary Southern Baptist Church, 1600 E. Cartier Ave.

Henderson

From 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Ethel M, 1 Sunset Way

From 1:30 to 5 p.m. Nov. 25 at Gibson Library, 100 W. Lake Mead Parkway.