Immunizations
Sports/college physicals
MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics inside select CVs/pharmacy stores are offering vaccinations and sports physicals seven days a week. No appointment necessary. Vaccinations offered for secondary school and college are pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis and Human Papillomavirus (HPV), among others. Check for insurance coverage on specific vaccinations. Sports physicals provide an overall assessment of physical condition. Physicals offered to college students for pre-admission requirements. Cost without insurance is $39 through Sept. 30. Visit these MinuteClinics: 8034 East. Brainerd Road; 8530 Hixson Pike, Hixson; 6802 Lee Highway; 1150-a Hixson Pike (Riverview); 796 Ridgeway Ave., Signal Mountain.
Chattanooga CARES benefit
Chattanooga CARES will hold its 15th annual Cut Up For Life at the Chattanooga Market on Oct. 16 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ten top salons and spas will provide their services including haircuts, manicures, massages and makeovers for $20 each, with all proceeds benefiting Chattanooga CARES. For list of participating salons and spas, visit www.chattanoogacares.org or call 648-9912 for information about Chattanooga CARES.
Pediatric cancer
The Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer will host its third Celebration of Life and Hope, an annual event to raise funds and awareness for Chattanooga's local pediatric cancer center, Hatch's House of Hope, on Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m. at SPACE at Warehouse Row. Includes heavy hors d'ouerves, specialty drinks, live band performing, and a live and silent auction. Services to families are at no cost and are funded solely by donations of supporters. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased at www.hatcherfoundation.org/celebrate
Weight-loss surgery
n The Gastric Band Institute will hold a free seminar on gastric banding (Lap-Band ad Realize Band) and the new "sleeve" procedure for people who are 75 pounds overweight. The session will be held Tuesday, Oct. 4, 5:30 p.m., at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Roosevelt Room, 1400 Market St. Call 899-1000 for reservations. Free insurance verification.
n Gastric study. If you are more than 75 pounds overweight and want to participate in a research study with the new sleeve stomach plication, call 899-1000 or visit www.gastricbandinstitute.com for information.
n Free surgical weight management seminar. Learn about The Weight Loss Program at Erlanger, Monday, 6-8 p.m., at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road). This seminar is for area residents at least 100 pounds overweight and/or with health problems related to obesity. Registration required. Call Erlanger's HealthLink at 778-5465.
Diabetes
Diabetes basics and diet class. This program provides an overview of diabetes and treatment/prevention of complications, diabetes meal planning and carbohydrate counting. Classes 8:45 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday at Memorial Hospital Hixson and 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30 at Memorial Hospital. Memorial's Diabetes and Nutrition Center can help obtain physician's referral and provide cost information. Registration required. Call 495-7970.
PSA screening
Free PSA screening 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Dodson Avenue Community Health Center, 1200 Dodson Ave. The PSA test primarily screens for prostate cancer in men. Must be 50 years old unless you are between 45-50 with family history of prostate cancer. Registration required. Walk-ins accepted. Call 778-5465 for information or to register.
Abdominal aortic
aneurysm screening
Free screening for men and women 65 or older to detect bulge in artery wall, with no previous diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm, and no abdominal CT in the past five years. Screenings held Monday-Friday, Sept. 26-30, at Memorial Hospital, Memorial Hospital Hixson and Memorial Ooltewah. Registration and appointment required at 495-6000.
Items for this column are due the Friday before Thursday's publication date. Write to Linda Weaver, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447; fax 668-5071; email lweaver@timesfreepress.com.