Health news and events around the valley, Oct. 1-7, 2015

$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.

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.

Medicare 101 seminar set: A free Medicare 101 seminar is planned from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 8 at Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-West, 8670 W. Cheyenne Ave., Suite 105. Participants can learn the ABCs of Medicare benefits, including enrollment and lock-in dates; enrollment and eligibility requirements; and tools to choose the best option. Free refreshments will be served. Space is limited. RSVP by calling 855-861-8277.

Children's art auction to be part of art festival: The Kaleidoscope Children's Art Auction is planned from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 10 at Downtown Summerlin, 2025 Festival Plaza Drive. The Children's Medical Center at Summerlin Hospital is to host a booth at the Summerlin Art Festival between Wolfgang Puck and Crave restaurants. Original artwork by pediatric patients is to be for sale with proceeds benefiting Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada and the Summerlin Hospital Auxiliary.

Health and diabetes fest coming to hospital: A free Health & Diabetes Fest is planned from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 at Desert Springs Hospital, 2075 E. Flamingo Road. The event features a variety of free screenings, including blood pressure checks, body mass index, diabetes risk, eye and foot exams, stroke risk and sleep apnea. A coupon for a free peripheral artery disease screening will also be available, along with dozens of vendors providing health information and education. Flu shots will be available (cash pricing and some insurances accepted).

Better Breathers Club presentation planned: The American Lung Association in Nevada is set to present a talk on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 13 at the club meeting at Centennial Hills Hospital, 6900 N. Durango Drive. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency is a genetic condition that may result in serious lung disease in adults, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and/or liver. Lindsay Megenhardt of Dohmen Life Science Services and an Alpha-1 advocate are set to speak about the role of Alpha-1 and testing for the genetic defect. Visit inspire.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 Oct. 15, Breast Health; Nov. 19, Eating Healthily; and Dec. 17, Coping with Psychiatry. Visit umcsn.com.

Healthy walking seminar planned: Tina Encheva, Realtor and continuing education UNLV teacher, is set to direct workshops on the Secrets of Natural Walking from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 18 at 3585 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 203. Email tinae@realtyonelv.com.

Medicare 101 seminar set: A free Medicare 101 seminar is planned from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at Southwest Medical Associates Lifestyle Center-East, 5820 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 100. Participants can learn the ABCs of Medicare benefits, including enrollment and lock-in dates; enrollment and eligibility requirements; and tools to choose the best option. Free refreshments will be served. Space is limited. RSVP by calling 855-861-8277.

Hearts and Hands Gala to benefit seniors: A vintage Vegas-inspired gala is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center, 888 Bonneville Ave. Marilyn Monroe and Dean Martin impressionists are planned with music and refreshments. Tickets are $150, and a portion of the ticket may be tax-deductible. Proceeds benefit senior residents. Visit the events page at hhovv.org.

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.

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. The locations include:

From 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Successful Aging Expo Las Vegas at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

From 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 3 in the St. Anthony Classroom at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2300 Sunridge Heights Parkway.

From 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 2 S. Pecos Road.

From 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 4 at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 6670 W. Cheyenne Ave.

From 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 4 at Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican, Siena Campus, 6670 W. Cheyenne Ave.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 4 in the St. Anthony Classroom at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 2300 Sunridge Heights Parkway.

From 2 to 7 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive. For an appointment, visit unitedbloodservices.org and enter sponsor code SUNCOAST.

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.

North Las Vegas

From 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at ITT Technical Institute, 3825 W. Cheyenne Ave, No. 600.

Las Vegas

From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Meadows Mall, 4300 Meadows Lane, Suite 10.

From 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Desert Hills Baptist Church, 4401 S. Nellis Blvd.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd.