Health Briefs

Note: Events without published prices are free, and registration is required for most programs.

Cancer

Memorial Hospital provides complimentary massages to cancer patients currently in treatment on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week, except for holidays. Call 495-7778 for an appointment at one of three locations.

Medicare maze

Volunteers with BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee offer community meetings to help Medicare beneficiaries find out more about their options. Times and places of upcoming sessions: 10 a.m. Friday at Resurrected Church, 2230 E. 18th St.; 10 a.m. Friday at Mount Olive Ministries, 3522 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, Tenn; 9 a.m. Saturday at the Medicare Sales Office, 5600 Brainerd Road; and 10 a.m. Saturday at Erlanger Women’s East, 1751 Gunbarrel Road. For more information, call (800) 561-4331.

Weight-loss surgery

A seminar on the Lap-Band surgical weight-loss procedure for people at least 100 pounds overweight is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the community rooms at Memorial Hospital. Call 495-2244 for reservations.

Weight management

A seminar on Erlanger’s Weight-Loss Program is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at Chattanooga Lifestyle Center. The session is for people at least 100 pounds overweight who have health problems related to obesity. Registration is required. Call 778-5465.

Support groups

GRIEF BUSTERS: For children (ages 6-12) who have lost loved ones. First and third Thursday, 5 p.m., Memorial Health Place at Hamilton Place. 495-7778.

GRIEFSHARE: Each Thursday, 7 p.m., Dallas Bay Baptist Church. 842-9299.

GRIEFSHARE: Each Sunday, 5 p.m., Brainerd Baptist Church. Child care provided. 624-2606.

GRIEFSHARE: Each Sunday, 6 p.m., Silverdale Baptist Church. Child care provided. 892-2173.

GRIEFSHARE: Each Thursday, 6 p.m., East Ridge Church of God. 867-7287 or 861-5358.

GRIEF SUPPORT: Two meetings at Second Presbyterian Church: fourth Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., and fourth Sunday, 10 a.m.-noon. 266-2828.

HEALING HEARTS FAMILY NIGHT (Hospice of Chattanooga): For ages 5 and up. Third Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m., Bereavement Center, 4411 Oakwood Drive. Pizza served at 6 p.m. 892-4289.

HELPING HANDS: For patients with hand injuries. Second Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Chattanooga LifeStyle Center. 778-9400.

HEPATITIS C: For adult patients, family and friends. Second Monday, 6:15 p.m., diagnostic conference room, Parkridge Medical Center. 877-5649.

HIV AND AIDS: For Chattanooga CARES clients. Every Thursday, 4:30 p.m. 265-2273.

HIV SUPPORT GROUP: Second and fourth Wednesdays, 5:45 p.m., in Whitfield County. Call (706) 281-2360 for meeting site.

HOSPICE OF CHATTANOOGA: Grief support for adults. Second Friday, 11 a.m.-noon, and fourth Monday, 5-6:30 p.m. at Bereavement Center, 4411 Oakwood Drive. Also: Second Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m., at Hospice of Chattanooga, 165 Hamm Road. 892-4289. I MISS MY BABY: Second and fourth Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Hospice of Chattanooga, Standifer Place, 2626 Walker Road. 892-4289 or (800) 267-6828. KIDS COUNT: For children, ages 6 to 11, of parent or grandparent with cancer. Six-week sessions. Call 778-5119 to learn when next series begins.

Items for this column are due the Monday before Thursday’s publication date. Write to Nancy Carney, P.O. Box 1447 Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447; fax 668-5102; e-mail ncarney@ timesfreepress.com or call 757-6283.