Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
The American Cancer Society is gearing up for its 16th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, Oct. 5, at Boston's Hatch Shell Esplanade.
A North Essex Unit contingent will again join the annual walk. Registration will begin at 7 a.m. at the Rupert A. Nock Middle School on Low Street in Newburyport. Buses will leave at 7:45 a.m. A $5 donation is requested to offset transportation costs. Registration is not required.
A kick-off meeting takes place Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6:30 p.m. Registration materials and information on the walk will be available. Call chairwoman Sandy Kalenik at 978-499-9297 or e-mail skalenik@yahoo.com.
Memory loss, Alzheimer's discussion group
A monthly discussion group focused on Alzheimer's disease and other memory loss disorders meets Monday at 6 p.m. at Atria Merrimack Place, 85 Storey Ave., Newburyport.
The free group typically meets the second Monday of every month. For more, call Gail Buccini. co-leader and life guidance director, at 978-462-7324.
Asperger Syndrome Support Group meeting
The Newburyport Asperger Syndrome Support Group meets Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Higgins Conference Room at Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland Ave., Newburyport.
The support group addresses the concerns of parents of school-aged children diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, high-functioning autism or related challenges. A general discussion is planned.
Contact Carol Keating at 978-372-2799 or carolkeating@verizon.net or Suzanne Phillips at 978-356-1775 or suzanne.phillips@gordon.edu.
Bike safety classes pedaling into Port
The League of American Bicyclists presents "Introduction to Bicycling" on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 6 p.m. at Newburyport Public Library, 94 State St., Newburyport.
The free, two-hour program will focus on operating bikes in traffic. It is geared at adults 16 and up and is appropriate for all levels and interests.
Then on Saturday, Sept. 13, "Bicycling 101," a four-hour, on-bike program, will be presented from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is designed for adults who want to get back into bicycling, improve cycling skills and learn to ride more effectively and safely in traffic. Bicyclists will practice drills in a parking lot, then hit the road. "Introduction to Bicycling" is a prerequisite.
The cost for "Bicycling 101" is $60. Proceeds will be used to purchase bike racks at the Newburyport YWCA.
Both classes are taught by Pierre Avignon, a certified instructor with the League of American Bicyclists. For more, visit http://lmvb.org/bicycling101.html.
Qi Gong classes in Newburyport
Local acupuncturist Rose Dobosz is offering Tao Yin Fa, a meridian-style Qi Gong class, this fall in Newburyport.
The healing exercise stretches and expands the energy meridians in the body to create balance and harmony between the brain and the body. The movements are simple, graceful gestures done mindfully and repetitively. No experience is necessary.
A 10-week series begins Wednesday, Sept. 10, with a free class from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. at the Yoga Center of Newburyport, 12 Maple St. The cost for the full series is $90. Registration is required. Call Dobosz at 978-973-0499.
Strides of Survival for brain tumor research
The 10th annual Strides of Survival, a fun walk to benefit brain tumor research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, steps off Sunday. Sept. 14, at Maudslay State Park, Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport.
Registration starts at 9 a.m., with walkers heading out at 11. Refreshments will be provided.
The event seeks to raise awareness of and money for the fight against brain tumors. It supports the efforts of the Brain Tumor Center at Mass. General, where scientists are conducting research on treatments for brain tumor patients. Over the last nine years, the event has raised more than $250,000 to support research at the hospital.
Registration for walkers is $45. The first 100 people to register with $150 in paid pledges will receive a T-shirt. For more information, to register or to donate online to support the walk, visit www.avbs.com/sos or call 978-948-0832.
Fall Festival to raise Alzheimer's awareness
Country Rehabilitation and Nursing Center of Newburyport will be commemorating World Alzheimer's Day Sept. 21 with a "Camping for a Cause" Fall Festival.
Executive Director Fran Walker and her staff will be set up outside the nursing center at 180 Low St. Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20, to raise awareness and attract attention to Memory Walks and the Alzheimer's Association's efforts to support research and education to find a cure for this disease that affects 5 million Americans.
Since 1989, Memory Walks nationally have raised more than $230 million. This year's Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk will be held in Andover on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.
Funds raised from Camping for a Cause events are used for Alzheimer's care, support and research. Walker hopes to raise $5,000 at the festival, which will feature food, fun and games for kids.
For more on the Camping for a Cause event, the Alzheimer's Association or the Memory Walk, call Walker at 978-465-5361.
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If you have an item for Health Beat, contact Sonya Vartabedian at 978-462-6666 or svartabedian@newburyportnews.com.
Fundraising cruise benefits Autism All-Stars
The Autism All-Stars are joining forces again with Captain's Fishing Parties on Plum Island to raise funds for autism research.
A fundraising cruise down the Merrimack River will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6:45 to 10 p.m. There will be a buffet, entertainment, dancing and a cash bar.
The cruise departs from Plum Island Point on Newburyport. Tickets are $35, and proceeds will support the Greater Boston Walk Now for Autism/Autism Speaks.
For information, visit www.autismallstars.org or e-mail autismcruise@gmail.com.
Women's Interfaith Spiritual Encounter conference
Women's Interfaith Spiritual Encounter presents its annual WISE Conference Oct. 24 through 26 at Rolling Ridge Conference Center in North Andover.
This year's¬ conference theme is "Sacred Arts: Personal & Global Transformation Through Creative Expression."
The weekend of revitalization and relaxation will feature more than 25 presenters, as well as concerts, readings, food and more. There will be opportunities to pray, meditate and participate in workshops, performances, readings, yoga and other activities.
Lucy Luna, a Salvadorian sociologist, artist and poet, will be the keynote speaker. As the leader of Salvadorian Association for Rural Health's Barefoot Angel's Program, her mission is to empower marginalized women and their children. She will present an exhibit of photographs taken by children that reflect the day-to-day challenges of life in their country.
Women's Interfaith Spiritual Encounter, a women's companion group, was formed five years ago as an opportunity for like-minded and like-spirited women who work or are focused on healing, hospice, nursing, ministry and the arts to interact. The group is dedicated to hosting events that are centered around the healing arts, personal growth and spiritual direction.
For information or to register for the conference, visit www.spiritualencounter.com.
