Health Notes
Cape Coral
Blood pressure check
The Cape Coral Hospital Auxiliary conducts blood pressure tests from 1-3 p.m. every Thursday in the hospital’s main lobby. For information, call 574-0206.
Beginners meditation
Meditation for beginners with Grand Master Desmond O’Rafferty will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 and 25 at Natural Family Physicians, 4704 Vincennes Blvd. Cost is a love offering. For reservations or information, call 540-1220.
Southwest Florida Society of Retired Registered Nurses
The Southwest Florida Society of Retired Registered Nurses will meet at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Wine & Roses, 1404 Cape Coral Parkway E. The program, which covers chiropractic measures and treatments, features Dr. Joan Craft. For information, contact Mary Lou Yaufman at 567-7967 or Marcella Morrison at 482-0116.
Cell phones for Soldiers
Residents are asked to show support for servicemen and servicewomen by donating used cell phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers. Nationwide, the program hopes to collect more than 50,000 cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families. Drop off old cell phones at Community Self Storage, 3300 Chiquita Blvd. S. Cell phones in any shape or condition are accepted. For information, call 541-0051 or visit: www.communityselfstorage.net.
Fort Myers
Gulf Coast Medical Center to open
The Gulf Coast Medical Center will open March 8 at the same time the Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center and the old Gulf Coast Hospital will close. A community open house will be held Feb. 14, where the public is invited to tour the new facility. The Southwest Florida Regional Medical Center Emergency Department will relocate to the new location. For information, call 454-8766.
Senior Wheels USA Program
The Senior Wheels USA Program makes available power wheelchairs to senior citizens and the permanently disabled at no cost to the recipient. The wheelchairs are provided to those who can no longer walk safely, nor self-propel a manual wheelchair, and who meet the additional guidelines of the program.
The Senior Wheels USA program’s main purpose is to develop public awareness that there are assistance options that allow seniors as well as the permanently disabled to remain independent in their own homes. Without this awareness and assistance, families may prematurely choose a nursing home or make an unnecessary retail purchase on power mobility equipment.
If the patient does not meet all the requirements of the program, he or she may still be able to get help through the donation program. This is made available when people call wanting to donate their wheelchairs that are no longer needed. If the patient’s need is for use in the home, call 800-246-6010 for information to see if he or she qualifies.
Autism lecture, panel
A lecture and panel discussion on autism will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 19. The discussion will include how to begin after a diagnosis, what to add to existing treatments and how to stay inspired.
2009 MS Walk
The 2009 MS Walk will take place Feb. 21 at Lakes Park in Fort Myers.
March of Dimes
The Southwest Coast Division of the March of Dimes has awarded 2009 grants to address the health and education issues of pregnant women in Southwest Florida. The grants are one way March of Dimes carries out its mission of improving the health of babies. For resources and information, visit: marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
Sanibel
‘A Choice Affair: Sex, Lies and Education’
“A Choice Affair: Sex, Lies and Education” reception and luncheon will be held Feb. 12 at The Sanctuary Golf Club, 2801 Wulfert Road, Sanibel. Program begins at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is set for noon. Guest speaker is Shelby Know. The event aims to raise awareness about the life-saving importance of comprehensive sex education. Ticket prices start at $50. For reservations and information, call 941-365-3913, ext. 1124, or visit: www.myplannedparenthood.org.
Naples
Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking
A Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Course will be held from 2-4 p.m. every Tuesday, Feb. 17-March 10, at Cancer Alliance of Naples and 21st Century Oncology, 733 Fourth Ave., Naples. Course consists of four classes. To register, call Kathy Nicklaus at 436-4673.