Gov. Paris Glendening named Friday, May 24 as Melanooma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Day in Maryland in order to increase awareness about the dangers of the summer sun. There are several easy steps to take to ward off skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in Maryland, which is a largely a preventable disease.
Risk factors for skin cancer include:
* Naturally lighter colored skin that may burn, freckle, or become red or painful in the sun.
* Family or personal history of skin cancer
* Constant exposure to the sun in daily life
* A history of sunburns in early childhood
* Blue or green eyes
* Naturally blond or red hair
* Certain types or a large number of moles
* Immune system weakened by other cancers, drugs given for organ transplants or AIDS
Preventative steps:
* Avoid sun exposure, especially from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the peak hours when the sun's rays are strongest
* Wear sunscreen, no matter the season or weather, and wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 that blocks UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen often, especially during peak hours and after sweating or swimming and use the highest SPF possible for small children.
* Wear loose-fitting clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly-woven fabrics in dark colors with a hat and sunglasses; if this is not realistic, wear a t-shirt or beach cover-up with the hat and sunglasses at a minimum.
* Do regular self-exams from head to toe, to check for any change in skin color and texture, especially moles and get checked by a physician if you have risk factors (above) or are over 40.
Web sites:
* John's Hopkins Medical Institutions: http://www.hopkinscancercenter.org/programs/melanoma.cfm
* Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nscpep/index.htm
* National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov
* American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org
The Pain Connection Chronic Pain Outreach Center, Inc. sponsors monthly chronic pain support group meetings. This month's will be held on Thursday, June 6, from 10:30 a.m.- noon in the Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. For more information, call 301-309-2444.
The 2002 Relay for Life will be held in 14 communities across the Washington metro area. The annual event raises funds for the American Cancer Society’s programs of research, patient services, advocacy and public education.
Teams of people will gather at schools and parks to take turns walking, jogging or running laps for up to 24 hours.
Locally, the event takes place June 7-8 at Richard Montgomery High School, 250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville. For more information about participating, sponsoring a friend or volunteering, call 1-800-227-2345.
The Metropolitan Center for Assault Prevention is holding a 2K walk to benefit the organization, which teaches students techniques for self-defense against assault and abuse. The event, named "Walk to Be ... Safe, Strong and Free," will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, and will be led by Rockville’s Mayor Larry Giammo and NBC News 4's Chris Gordon. For more information and to register, call 301-962-6180, Ext. 14.
American Hearing Centers, Audibel, and the Hearing Foundation will host "Helping Maryland Hear" on Saturday, June 8 at 9 a.m. at the American Hearing Center, 6460 Dobbin Road, Suite E, Columbia, Md. The event will fit underprivilidged children from "working poor" families with high-tech hearing aids at no cost. The first hearing-impaired Miss America, 1996 Miss America, Heather Whitestone McCallum, will be on hand for the event. Call 410-884-3030 for information or to make a cash or used hearing aid donation.
The Metropolitan Center for Assault Prevention is holding a 2K walk to benefit the organization, which teaches students techniques for self-defense against assault and abuse. The event, named "Walk to Be ... Safe, Strong and Free," will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, and will be led by Rockville’s Mayor Larry Giammo and NBC News 4's Chris Gordon. For more information and to register, call 301-962-6180, Ext. 14.
The Alzheimer’s Association is offering free information forums for caregivers and families dealing with memory loss. “Making the Transition to Residential Care” will be held on Monday, June 10, from 6:30-8 p.m., at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Bethesda. Call toll free at 1-866-259-0042 or visit www.alz-nca.org for details.
Pediatrician and neuroscientist Norbert Herschkowitz and his educator wife Elinore Chapman Herschkowitz discuss "A Good Start in Life: Understanding Your Child's Brain and Behavior" at Barnes & Noble, 12089 Rockville
Pike, on Tuesday, June 11 at 7:30 p.m. Call 301-881-0237.
The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) of Montgomery County will hold its educational monthly meeting at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Church, 9601 Cedar Lane in Bethesda, on Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Rodne Burbach, director of Addictions and Treatment at Suburban Hospital, will speak on the connection between mental illness and substance abuse. Call Leah Nichaman for more information at 301-949-5852.
NAMI Montgomery County holds several free support groups each month for family and friends of anyone experiencing a mental illness. No preregistration is necessary. Call for times and locations at 301-949-5852.
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have developed “Cancer: Keys to Survivorship,” a nationwide program aimed at empowering cancer survivors through education. The free program will be held Saturday, June 15, from 9:30 a.m.-noon, in the auditorium of Suburban Hospital, 8600 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Cancer survivors, family, caregivers, friends and health professionals are invited to attend. The program will cover issues of employment and health insurance and include leading experts and survivors who will share their stories with participants. Free parking is available. To register, call 703-960-1100, Ext. 231, or e-mail singers@dc-cap-leukemia-lymphoma.org.
The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center are holding information sessions about West Nile virus control. All are encouraged to attend at one of the two times. A session meets Monday, June 17, from 10-11:30 a.m. and from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Hungerford Office Building, 401 Hungerford Drive, Rockville. Call the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600.
Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN), a nonprofit organization providing free athletic programs to children and young adults with severe and profound disabilities, is seeking volunteers. According to KEEN, the waiting list to participate in the program now exceeds 60 children. Volunteers range in age from high school students to retired couples and corporate lawyers. Volunteers work in either one-on-one or two-on-one partnerships. KEEN is also seeking recreational space for its activities. Visit www.keenusa.org.
The Commmission on People with Disabilities has ten vacancies on its panel: three for agencies that provide services to people with disabilities, six for people with disabilities and one for a parent of a person wth disabilities. The commission advises the County Executive on programs and services regarding citizens with disabilties. Meetings are held in the evenings on the second Wednesday of each month. Deadline for applications is June 21. Call 240-777-2528 or visit www.co.mo.md.us.
United Cerebral Palsy’s Casual Day will be held on Friday, June 21. Thousands of local workers from participating companies will dress casually in exchange for a suggested $5 minimum donation. This is the 10th year that Casual Day has been celebrated. This year, it falls on the first day of summer. To participate, a company should register with the local United Cerebral Palsy office at 301-262-4993 and ask for the Casual Day coordinator. Visit www.ucppgmc.com.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is currently fighting to end the effects of MS. This spring, the MS Society, Maryland Chapter, is seeking donations of cars, boats, trucks and RVs. Free towing is provided. Call AUTOS-4-MS at 1-877-672-8864.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission invites residents and visitors to join the new "75 Mile Club" by walking, jogging, running, biking, roller blading or using a wheelchair for 75 miles on any one or all of the Commission's trails in Montgomery and/or Prince George's counties by the end of the calendar year. A 75 Mile Club log must be completed and returned to Montgomery County Department of Park and Planning, Attn.: 75 Mile Club, Room 209, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. Logs are available at www.mncppc.org. Call 301-495-2503.
Corinne Stevens has been named acting director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, effective June 1. She has served as chief of Crisis, Income and Victim Services since 1995. Stevens will replace director Charles L. Short, who retires May 31 to assume a new position with the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society have developed “Cancer: Keys to Survivorship,” a nationwide program aimed at empowering cancer survivors through education. The free program will be held Saturday, June 15, from 9:30 a.m.-noon, in the auditorium of Suburban Hospital, 8600 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Cancer survivors, family, caregivers, friends and health professionals are invited to attend. The program will cover issues of employment and health insurance and include leading experts and survivors who will share their stories with participants. Free parking is available. To register, call 703-960-1100, Ext. 231, or e-mail singers@dc-cap-leukemia-lymphoma.org.
Seminars, support groups and classes through Adventist Health Care take place at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, 9901 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, unless noted otherwise. To register and for a complete listing of available classes, call 1-800-542-5096.
* Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon These groups meet every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-966-9115.
* Narcotics Anonymous. This group meets every Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
* Healthy Hearts. Cardiac support program is designed to provide inspiration, motivation and education to patients and caregivers following a heart attack or stroke. Group meets on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Call 301-253-1502.
* Heart-to-Heart. A support group for people with heart disease, and their spouses, meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Cardiovascular Fitness Center (9715 Medical Center Drive, No. 130, Rockville).
* Prenatal Care and Birth: Questions About Approaches. This seminar will feature Dr. Albert Simmonds answering questions about birthing options on Thursday, June 6, at 7:15 p.m. Free.
* Eating Disorders Support Group is for adults with anorexia or bulimia, with a group for families and friends. Both groups meet on Wednesday, June 5, at 7 p.m. Free. Contact Dr. Williams at 301-977-7782.
* Hey! What About Me? is a program for siblings ages 5-9 and will cover the birth of the new sibling, including a tour of the nursery unit on Wednesday, June 5, at 5:30 p.m. Cost is $12.
* Pediatric CPR. This course is offered over two days, starting on Wednesday, June 5, at 6:30 pm. Preregistration is required. Cost is $45 per person and $80 per couple.
* Hip and Knee Rehab Program. An informational class on the procedure, hospital stay, and rehabilitation program involved with hip or knee replacement surgery will be held on Wednesday, June 5, at 1:30 p.m. Free. Call to register: 1-800-642-0101.
* Montgomery County Stroke Club. A club for survivors of stroke, their caregivers and families will meet on Wednesday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at Shady Grove Nursing and Rehab Center (9701 Medical Center Drive, Rockville). Free. Call 301-869-1580.
* Baby-sitting Classes begin on Sunday, June 16, at 10 a.m. and Saturday, June 22 at 10 a.m. Cost is $30.
* Breast Cancer Support Group. This group meets on Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. Cost is free. Call 301-279-6604 for more information.
* Infant Safety and CPR. This class will be held on Sunday, June 9, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and $40 per couple. Advance registration required.
* Home Alone is offered to children 8-11 to prepare them for times when their parents may not be home at all times, on Saturday, June 22, at 2 p.m. Cost is $10.
* First Aid for New Parents & Childcare Providers will teach you how to respond to common medical emergencies and injuries on Monday, June 24 at 7 p.m. Cost is $35. Advance registration required.
* Simplify Your Life will teach you how to create time for the most important things in your life by simplifying the way you live on Tuesday, June 25 at 7 p.m. Cost is $15.
*A Mirror to Your Mind: Understanding Yourself & Your Relationships will begin on Wednesday, June 26 at 6:30 p.m. as the first of two classes to learn about your own and others' personality types. Cost is $100.
*Discovering Motherhood is an educational and support program for new moms and their babies. Begins Friday, June 28 at 9:30 a.m. Fee is $60.