Health Calendar

The Health Calendar is a listing of support groups, activities and lectures. Send information to Health Calendar, The Augusta Chronicle Newsroom, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928. Send information by fax to (706) 722-7403 and send e-mail to newsroom@augustachronicle.com. Please include a contact name and phone number.

SPECIALS

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASS: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Medical College of Georgia Health Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., first floor, Conference Center; register for class during fifth to ninth month of pregnancy; $50; (706) 721-9351

SIGN, SAY & PLAY: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17-May 1, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center.Harper Street, first floor classroom; $47.50 per baby, plus a $40 Sign, Say & Play Starter Kit; (706) 721-6929, visit mcghealth.org

LIVING WITH DIABETES: Call for time, Thursday, May 15, Trinity Hospital of Augusta, 2260 Wrightsboro Road; teaches skills needed to manage diabetes; physician referral required; (706) 481-7604 or www.trinityofaugusta.com

FAMILY FOCUSED CHILDBIRTH TOURS: Tours of the mother/baby wing; Trinity Hospital of Augusta, 2260 Wrightsboro Road; by appointment; (706) 481- 7727, www.trinityofaugusta.com

HOME CARE ASSESSMENT: Skilled in-home clinical care or personal aides provided by University Home Health Services; free; (706) 774-4160

LOOK GOOD ... FEEL BETTER: 5-7 p.m. third Mondays, University Hospital, American Cancer Society, 2607 Commons Blvd.; helps women cancer patients maintain their appearance and self-image during treatment; free makeup kit given to each participant; free; registration required; (706) 731-9900

PULMONARY FUNCTION SCREENINGS: 10-11:30 a.m. third Wednesdays, University Hospital, Professional Center 2, Suite 200; free; appointments required; (706) 774-5777

CLASSES

BEGINNING SIGN LANGUAGE: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, April 16-June 4, Trinity Hospital of Augusta, 2260 Wrightsboro Road; course covers systems of sign language, deaf culture, expressive and receptive fingerspelling using signs in short sentences; basic course in American Sign Language required; (706) 481-7604 www.trinityofaugusta.com

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE FOR TEENS: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Saturdays, April 19-May 10, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, Harper Street, first floor classroom; $30; (706) 721-6929, visit mcghealth.org

BEING A GIRL: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, Trinity Hospital of Augusta, 2260 Wrightsboro Road, Sister Mary Louise Conference Room; class designed for ages 9-12 accompanied by their mother, a female friend or relative; discussion is focused on physical and emotional changes of puberty; $10 per person; (706) 481-7604 or www.trinityofaugusta.com

ARTHRITIS AQUATICS: 9-9:45 a.m., 10-10:45 a.m. and 12:15-1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Building; $37.50 per month; (706) 823-5294

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR EXERCISE: 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital; (706) 823-5294

BREAST SELF-EXAM CLASSES: 4 p.m. second Mondays, Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 1350 Walton Way; free; registration required; (706) 774-4141

CAR SEAT CLASSES: 9:15 a.m. to noon third Mondays; Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center; children and restraint safety, education and training; $10 per child; families receive a $10 gift card if they attend a child safety seat inspection after the class; registration required; Rene Hopkins, (706) 721-7606, MCGHealth.org/SafeKids

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION AND PARENT PREPARATION: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. second Saturdays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center Conference Center, first floor; discussion of labor and birth with tools and techniques; plan to attend during fifth to ninth months of pregnancy; $50; registration required; (706) 721-9351

FIBROMYALGIA AQUATICS: Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Building; $32 per month; (706) 823-5294

JOINT EFFORTS: 11-11:45 A.M. THURSDAYS except Masters week, Augusta Orthopaedic Clinic, 1521 Anthony Road; answers about knee and hip pain; learn about the causes of your problem and the latest treatments, tips on medicine, food and exercise; (706) 481-7604, www.trinityofaugusta.com

MY BROTHAZ HOME INC.: HIV prevention education and health education and risk-reduction counseling; weekly educational groups; (706) 798-0244

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH: 6 p.m. board meeting, 7 p.m. general membership meeting, first Thursdays, Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2261 Walton Way; for those interested in mental health issues; volunteers and computer needed; (706) 733-8838

PROJECT LINK LECTURE SERIES: 6:30-8 p.m. first Tuesdays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center main conference center BT 1810; free; educational resources and guidance for families who have children with developmental disabilities and special health concerns; (706) 721-5437

SUPPORT GROUPS

ALZHEIMER'S CARE: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jud C. Hickey Center for Alzheimer's Care; (706) 738-5039

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE-RICHMOND COUNTY: 10 A.M. FIRST THURSDAYS, ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, AUGUSTA OFFICE, 1899 CENTRAL AVE.; (706) 731-9060

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE-WESTWOOD: 3 p.m. third Thursdays, Westwood Nursing Facility Conference Room, 561 University Drive; (706) 731-9060

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Alzheimer's Association, Augusta chapter, 1899 Central Ave.; (706) 731-9060

BARIATRIC SURGERY GROUP: 5:30 P.M. MONDAYS, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL; SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD OR ARE CONSIDERING BARIATRIC SURGERY; (706) 868-3241

BARIATRIC INFORMATION: 3-5 p.m. third Mondays, University Hospital; information for people who have had or are considering bariatric surgery; (706) 868-3241

BETTER BREATHERS: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays, University Hospital Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center, St. Sebastian Way at 13th Street; bring covered dish; (706) 774-5864

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: 5:30-7 P.M. Second Thursdays, Medical College of Georgia Medical Center, 1120 15th St.; supports women and families affected by breast cancer; (706) 721-4726

BREAST SELF-EXAM: 4 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205; free; registration is required; (706) 774-4141, (866) 774-4141

CANCER SHARE: 7 p.m. first Mondays, University Hospital, Cancer Learning Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 104,1350 Walton Way; registration required; (706) 774-7000

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: 6-7 P.M. SECOND THURSDAYS, AUGUSTA ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES, 3696 WHEELER ROAD; CANCER SUPPORT FORUM FOR PATIENTS; FREE; (706) 651-2283, WWW.DOCTORS-HOSPITAL.NET

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP: 2-3 p.m. second Tuesdays, Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Road, Medical Office Building I, Cradle Club Classroom, Suite 310; for all types of caregivers; (706) 651-2283, www.doctors-hospital.net

COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS GROUP: 6-7 p.m. third Thursdays, Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Road, Medical Office Building I, Suite 110; for people coping with grief and loss; light refreshments; (706) 650-1522, www.doctors-hospital.net

CSRA BEREAVED PARENTS: Grief support for parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of a child; Augusta meeting 7:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Road; Aiken meeting 7:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Millbrook Baptist Church, 176 E. Pine Log Road; Cathy McNitt, (803) 279-8179

CSRA PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP: 6 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, dining room in St. John Towers, 724 Greene St.; (706) 855-7690

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP FOR CHILDREN: 10 a.m. third Saturdays, University Hospital Education Center, third floor; for infants through elementary school age; (706) 863-5557

DIALYZE FOR LIFE: 6-7 P.M. first Thursdays, 1829 Wrightsboro Road, in front of Macedonia Baptist Church; meeting for dialysis patients, group support and help; free; (706) 447-1114

HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE GROUP: 6:30 p.m. last Tuesdays, Medical College of Georgia Movement Disorders Program building, Room 1122, 1429 Harper St.; learn more about Huntington's disease; (706) 231-2775, (706) 721-2798

INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP: 6 P.M. SECOND THURSDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA MEDICAL CENTER, 1120 15TH ST., SEVENTH FLOOR, ROOM 7524; FOR WOMEN AND COUPLES SUFFERING FROM INFERTILITY; (706) 721-3832

LEUKEMIA AND MYELOMA SUPPORT: 7-8:30 p.m. second Mondays, Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Road; (800) 399-7312

LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES: 5 p.m. second Thursdays, University Hospital Cafeteria conference rooms 1 and 2; adult support group; (706) 868-3241

MCG BREAST CANCER GROUP: 6:30-8 p.m. second Thursdays, mammography area, Medical College of Georgia Breast Health Services; (706) 721-4726

MCG PREGNANCY LOSS GROUP: First Tuesdays; for friends, family and anyone else affected by the loss of a baby; (706) 721-8299 for times and location

MCG BRAIN TUMOR GROUP: 12:15- 1:15 p.m. third Tuesdays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St.; for patients with brain tumors, their families and loved ones; (706) 721-0193

MY MOM HAS BREAST CANCER GROUP: 5 P.M. THIRD THURSDAYS, BREAST HEALTH CENTER, PROFESSIONAL CENTER 2, SUITE 205; FOR CHILDREN OF WOMEN WHO HAVE BREAST CANCER; (706) 774-4141

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS: Meetings throughout the week; open discussion, closed discussion (addicts only), open text study, step study; smoking and nonsmoking areas; (706) 855-2410 or (706) 855-2419

PARENTS HEALING TOGETHER: 7 P.M. FIRST MONDAYS, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PRE-ADMIT/TESTING WAITING ROOM, FIRST FLOOR; FOR PARENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST INFANTS THROUGH MISCARRIAGE, DEATH, ECTOPIC PREGNANCY OR STILLBIRTH; (706) 774-2751, (706) 774-5802

PINK MAGNOLIAS BREAST CANCER: 6:30 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205; group for partners of women with breast cancer meets at the same time; free; (706) 774-4141, (866) 774-4141

SKIP TO MY LUPUS: 6:30-8:30 p.m. second Saturdays, Doctors Hospital, Medical Office Building I, Suite 309, Classroom 1; for those who suffer with lupus and similar autoimmune disorders; (706) 496-2558, www.skiptomylupus.org

COMMUNITY SERVICE

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center Red Wagon Society looking for members to assist with fundraisers, volunteer at events and play with young patients; (706) 721-4004

TRINITY HOSPITAL: Trinity Hospice, a department of Trinity Home Services, needs volunteers; Ronnie Merry, (706) 729-6328, (800) 533-3949, Ronnie.Merry@Triad hospitals.com