By: Robert Remler
Every day, lives are being saved because of donor generosity. To someone drowning there is no substitute for a lifeline. To an accident victim, surgical patient or someone suffering from a blood disease, a lifeline of blood is no less real and the consequences are tragically similar if it isn't there. Any healthy individual between the ages of 17 and 76 years-old, weighing at least 110 pounds and has not donated within the last 56 days may participate. Donors should have eaten and should bring glasses and ID. To register, call Rita O'Keefe at (516) 705-2068; leave your name and phone number.
Support grieving children
One of the hospitals in the North Shore - Long Island Jewish Health System, Schneider Children's Hospital, is joining with Baptist Memorial Health Care, to launch the newly-created Center for H.O.P.E. (Healing, Opportunity, Perseverance, Enlightenment). Adults who have experienced bereavement counseling following the death of a child and the Nassau County Fire Chief will discuss the importance of grief counseling for children on Thursday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. Join them in the LIJ Teaching Center Building, Room #201C, 270-05 76th Avenue, New Hyde Park. Call (516) 465-2649.
Free health lectures
For 2002, South Nassau Communities Hospital is offering the following free health lectures:Josephine Vaglio, chairperson of Community Outreach for the Healthcare Financial Management Association, and Ginger Silionski, Medical Part-B Coordinator, will lecture on "Medicare 2002 Update - Choosing a Medigap," on Thursday, March 21, 1:15 p.m. Jay Kerner, DPM, will discuss "Keep the Pep in Your Step," on Thursday, April 18, 1:15 p.m. Shelia D'Nodal, MD, medical director of South Nassau's Women's Center, will discuss "The Highs and Lows of Blood Pressure," on Thursday, May 16, 1:15 p.m. Rajiv V. Datta, MD, chief of Surgical Oncology and Head and Neck Surgery at South Nassau, will discuss "Lumps and Bumps on Your Neck - Is It Your Thyroid Gland?" on Thursday, June 20, 1:15 p.m.These lectures will be held in South Nassau's Albert Conference Room, located on the ground floor of the hospital. For more information, call South Nassau's Department of Community Medicine at (516) 632-3980.
New Island blood drive
New Island Hospital, 4295 Hempstead Turnpike, Bethpage, is sponsoring a blood drive on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. It will be held in the staff room, in the lower level of the hospital.Since the shelf life of red blood cells is just 42 days, blood donations are needed daily to meet the ongoing needs of accident victims, cancer patients, surgical needs and the always unpredictable disasters that may strike. Donating blood takes less than one hour, and literally can make the difference between life and death of thousands of men, women and children daily. To schedule an appointment, call (516) 520-2487, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Green seminar
Long Beach Medical Center is hosting the Green Seminar for smoking cessation and weight reduction, on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m., in the Goldstein Auditorium. Fee is $60. Free for previous attendees. Call (516) 897-1097 or (800) 342-1303 to register.
Other events and activities
Arthritis support group will meet on Thursday, March 7, 1 p.m., at the Island Trees Public Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Levittown. For more information, call (631) 427-8272... 14th Annual Nassau "Coping and Caring" Conference and Expo on Saturday, March 2, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Long Island Marriott Hotel, 101 James Doolittle Boulevard, Uniondale. Admission is $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Call (866) 789-5423... Lamaze childbirth preparation classes at Long Beach Medical Center. Classes are offered on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fee is $100 per couple, $50 for Medicaid members. Women should be in their 32nd week of pregnancy when taking the class. Classes are forming now. For specific dates and information, call (516) 897-1615.
