Support is just a phone call away

Whether you are a cancer survivor, an adult care giver looking for support, or you recently lost a loved one, help is just a phone call away. Each month, LifeBridge Health offers several support groups, free screenings and classes designed to improve your health. Here are the upcoming classes for April:

• Northwest Hospital is offering a talk on food cravings, the science behind food cravings, tips to control them, and ideas for tricking your taste buds with healthier food. The talk will be held at the hospital’s Education Center on April 7 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-9355 for more information.
• The ThyCa support group for those with thyroid cancer will be held at the Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute at Sinai Hospital on April 11, 10:30 a.m. to noon. For information and to register, call 410-601-9355.
• A breast cancer support group for women will be held on April 15 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Northwest Hospital’s Education Center. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-9355.
• Sinai Hospital’s Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute’s monthly Lunch and Learn will be held on April 15 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cancer Institute. This month’s topic will be “Reconnecting With Your Life After Cancer Treatment.” Please bring your own lunch. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call 410-601-9355.
• Northwest Hospital is offering “Up in Smoke,” a free, six-week quit smoking program funded by a grant from the Baltimore County Health Department. The program includes nicotine replacement (gum, patches, lozenges), behavioral modification and support. It will be held on Thursdays from April 16 to May 21, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Milford Manor, 4204 Old Milford Mill Road, Pikesville. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-9355.
• “Look Good, Feel Better” is a free program sponsored by the Greater Baltimore Unit of the American Cancer Center for women who are undergoing or will undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This program helps women feel better about their appearance with emphasis on learning makeup techniques and hair/wig styling. A trained cosmetologist will lead the group. Free cosmetics package included. The program will be held at Northwest Hospital Education Center on April 17 from 1 to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-9355.
• Northwest Hospital is offering preventive health screenings at a health fair on April 18, beginning at 8:30 a.m., and April 19, beginning at 9 a.m., in the hospital’s Education Center. Blood pressure, body composition analysis and a computerized heart health risk assessment will be offered. A lipid panel, and comprehensive metabolic blood profile will also be available for a $20 fee. Appointments are required. For more information or to make an appointment, call 410-601-9355.
• Northwest Hospital will present talks on prevention and treatment of wounds and heart disease for diabetics as part of its ongoing diabetes management series. The talks will take place April 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Northwest Hospital’s Education Center. Pre-registration is required. For more information call 410-601-9355.
  
• Sinai Hospital is offering “Up in Smoke,” a free, five-week quit smoking program. The program includes nicotine replacement (gum, patches, lozenges), behavioral modification and support. It will be held on Tuesdays from April 21 through May 19, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the hospital’s Alvin & Lois Lapdius Cancer Institute. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-9355 for more information.
• Northwest Hospital and Seasons Hospices are sponsoring a monthly bereavement support group designed to provide support through group interaction and grief education to persons grieving the death of a loved one. The meeting with be held at the hospital’s Education Center on April 23 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-9355 for more information.
• Sinai Hospital’s Alvin & Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute is offering “Breast Friends,” a monthly program of support, education and advocacy for women age 40 and younger who are breast cancer survivors. The next meeting will be held at the Cancer Institute on April 23 at 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-2189 for more information.
• Northwest Hospital will host The Hospice Foundation of America’s live teleconference on living with grief and end-of-life care on April 29 from 1:15 to 4:30 p.m. in the hospital’s Education Center. This program, sponsored by Season’s Hospice, will be of use to health care professionals, educators and the public. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-601-9355 for more information.