Medical Notes 11.5.09

AA MEETINGS
If you want to drink that is your business. If you want to quit we may be able to help. Alcoholics Anonymous meets in McAllen everyday 8 p.m., at 1003 W. Bus. 83 (on the North side between the Texas Thrift Store & Love Monuments.) These are open meetings and anyone who is interested in alcoholism may attend. Beginners meetings are on Fridays at 8 p.m. For more information, call (800) 930-3215 or check website: www.rgvaa.net.

ACA MEETINGS
Adult Children of Alcoholics/ACA of the RGV is a support group that meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, located at 1401 S. Nebraska in San Juan. This is a 30 year old 12 step based support group. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired because your childhood included a history of addictions; physical, sexual, mental or emotional and neglect, we welcome you. Call (956) 655-8372 for more information.

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
If your home is unhappy because someone drinks too much, we can help. Al-Anon Family Groups, including Alateen, offer understanding and support to families and friends of problem drinkers. Al-Anon may be of help to you. Learn more by attending a confidential, bilingual meeting in the RGV: Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen, Mission and Weslaco. Anonymity observed. For more information, contact 1-800-757-5502 or southtexasais @hotmail.com.

AUTISM SUPPORT GROUP
The Autism Support Group meets the third Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in McAllen, located on Nolana and McColl. Free daycare is available for children with autism and their siblings. For more information, call Michelle Guerrero at (956) 929-5444.

CAMP KINDRED HEARTS
CIMA Hospice will be starting a six week after school grief camp “Kindred Hearts” for children ages 9 – 11 years of age. The camp is designed to help children understand the grief process and how grief affects behavior both at home and at school. The camp will end on Nov. 24. The camp will be held at the CIMA office located at 5003 N. McColl, McAllen. The sessions will begin at 4:30 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. Transportation will not be provided, therefore parents will need to make arrangements to drop off and pick up their children at the appropriate times. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Camp Kindred Hearts will provide a variety of arts and crafts, play and interactive games designed to help children understand grief through their eyes. Camp Kindred Hearts is free but space is limited. If you are interested, please call (956) 631-4354 for more information or to register your child.

DRISCOLL’S HOLIDAY CARD COLLECTION
Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s 2009 Holiday Card Collection and 2010 calendars are now available at the hospital’s gift shop and online at www.driscollchildrens.org. Seven unique holiday cards were selected from artwork created by young Driscoll patients throughout South Texas. Packages of 18 cards are available for $12. Calendars are $10. Proceeds from the items will go toward scholarships sponsored by the Auxiliary to Driscoll Children’s Hospital. For more information, call (361) 694-5011 or 1-800-DCH-LOVE.

GRIEF PROGRAM FOR ADULTS
CIMA Hospice will be starting a six week grief program for adults. Dealing with grief may be a personal challenge for some and a difficult journey to handle alone. The program is designed to help individuals understand the process of their grief and learn some healing strategies that are geared towards developing a normal state of balance in their lives. It will offer interactive games, art activities and literature to help individuals journey through their grief. The group will end on Nov. 24. We will be starting at 6:30 p.m. and will end at 8 p.m. There is no charge for attending the group and we will be providing snacks and refreshments. The group will be held at 5003 N. McColl, McAllen. If you are interested in attending the group, please call (956) 631-4354 for more information or to register.

HEPATITIS C SUPPORT
“New Beginnings” is an anonymous support group facilitated by people who have experience with combination therapy. It offers information sources and provides moral support to those undergoing treatment or considering treatment options. Monthly meetings are held at Mission Regional Medical Center on Bryan Road in Mission on the last Friday of every month at 6 p.m. Call (956) 683-7528 for more information.

MCALLEN ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT
Two Alzheimer’s Support Groups meet at First United Methodist Church, located at 4200 N. McColl Road in McAllen, on the third Tuesday of each month. The meetings are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and are primarily for the caregivers but the loved one may also come if appropriate. The groups are led by Nancy Fox R.N., Wesley Nurse at the church and you may call her at (956) 686-3784 for more information or to answer questions.

MED HIGH HEALTH FAIR
The annual health fair for South Texas High School for Health Professions (Med High) will be held on Nov. 7 at the McAllen Convention Center, located at 700 Convention Center Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to the public, visitors can receive free vision, blood pressure and glucose checks, body mass index (BMI) measurements and many other health services. Med High students will also demonstrate life-saving procedures, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich Maneuver. A family event, dance performances and activities will keep children entertained as their parents or grandparents participate in the health fair activities. Senior citizens, families with young children and people with a family history of diabetes or heart disease are especially encouraged to attend the health fair. Healthy refreshments and snacks will be served at the health fair. In addition to the free items and materials available at the booths, door prizes will be given away. For more information, call Med High at (956) 565-2237 or Jennifer Zambales at (956) 533-7299.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP
A support group for people with Parkinson’s disease and/or their caregivers is held on the second Tuesday of each month at the First United Methodist Church, 4200 N. McColl Road, McAllen. For information, call (956) 686-3784.

PHARR ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the fourth Wednesday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at La Trinidad United Methodist Church, located at 105 E. Warren Street in Pharr. A light lunch will be served. Call Martha Williams at (956) 283-8816 for more information.

PROSTATE SUPPORT GROUP
Prostate Support Group (Us Too McAllen) meets on the first Thursday of the month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Cactus Room at Edinburg Regional Medical Center, 1102 West Trenton Road, Edinburg. For more information, call (956) 388-2025.

SPANISH ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
Alzheimer’s Support Group (Spanish) meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. in Conference Room 1 at the South Texas Behavioral Health Center, 2102 W. Trenton, Edinburg. Caregivers, and Alzheimer’s patients and their families are welcomed. For more information call (956) 388-1300.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Auxiliary to McAllen Medical Center/McAllen Heart Hospital is looking for adults interested in becoming a volunteer at McAllen Medical or McAllen Heart Hospital. For more information on our volunteer program, please contact the Volunteer Department at (956) 632-4297.

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SUPPORT GROUP
Weight Loss Surgery Support Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at McAllen Heart Hospital, 1900 S. “D” Street, McAllen. The meeting is for individuals who have had weight loss surgery or are considering it. For more information call (956) 994-2734.

WIDOW’S SUPPORT GROUP
CIMA Hospice will be starting a Widow’s Support Group on the first Tuesday of every month from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at 5003 N. McColl, McAllen. Call Nina Enriquez at (956) 631-4354 for more information.