Health Briefs for the week

Activities

GOSHEN — To encourage families to unplug and recharge, Goshen Health is partnering with the Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee and Wakarusa public libraries to offer a Brain Health Challenge to the community. The challenge consists of five fun activities that participants can try to help improve brain health. To join, visit any of the libraries until May 16 to pick up a challenge card. Complete the challenges and return the card to one of the libraries for a chance to with a family fun basket. The challenge is available in English and Spanish. For more information, email CommunityEngagement@GoshenHealth.com or call 574-364-2496.

Classes

SOUTH BEND — Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana will offer the free class “Becoming the Advocate” from 10 to 11 a.m. May 13 in the Care Partner Academy. Patty Piechocki, director of the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care, will lead this live/interactive web session. Participants can connect through their computer. Register online at https://alzni.org/caregivers/caregiving/.

SOUTH BEND — RiverBend Cancer Services Wellness House, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., will offer the following “Living Well with Cancer” classes. All classes are free and open to cancer patients, survivors, their families and caregivers; pre-register for all classes by calling 574-287-4197 or e-mail programs@riverbendservices.org.

• May 13: 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 11:15 a.m. Breathworks; 1 p.m. Zen Coloring; 5:30 p.m. Gentle Yoga.

• May 14: 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; Noon Bites & Bits; 1 p.m. MELT; 1 p.m. Mary’s Garden Club; 2 p.m. Shifts in Your Relationships.

• May 15: 10 a.m. Support Squad; 10 a.m. Seated Strength; 10 a.m. Knitting Krew; 1 p.m. Unity Gardens; 2 p.m. Dominoes; 2 p.m. Kim’s Bra Boutique; 5:30 p.m. General Cancer Support Group.

• May 16: 10 a.m. Yarnwork; 10:30 a.m. Chair Yoga; 11:45 a.m. Chair Yoga; 1 p.m. Healthy Cooking with Mary.

• May 17: 9 a.m. Walking Club.

NILES — The Niles District Library, 620 E. Main St., is offering a beginner yoga class, every other Monday, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Community Room. The class is for adults age 18 years and older and all levels of experience are welcome. Bring a mat and wear comfortable clothing that allows movement. There is no registration required and admission is free. The instructor is Sam Major from Dancing Feet Yoga. Next class is May 13. The library will be closed May 27.

SOUTH BEND — The St. Joseph County Public Library is offering “Yoga for EveryBODY” from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 15 in Classroom B, Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St.

GOSHEN — Chair Yoga will be offered by the Elkhart County Parks at 9:30 a.m. May 16, 23, and 30 in the Ox Bow Haus Shelter in Ox Bow Park, 23033 County Road 45. Chair Yoga is a gentle form of yoga that is done while seated or using a chair for balance. Wear comfortable clothing. Some mats are available, bring your own if you have one. This is a free class for those 12 years and older. No registration is required.

SOUTH BEND — “Navigating the Mental Health System” will be presented by Mental Health Awareness of Michiana from 6 to 7 p.m. May 15 in Classroom E of the St. Joseph County Public Library Community Learning Center, 305 S. Michigan St. This class is an overview of treatment and support options available when someone is experiencing mental illness. Register at sjcpl.libnet.info/events.

Events

• SOUTH BEND — A Spring Remembrance Celebration will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. May 11 in Pinhook Park, 2801 Riverside Drive. The Angel of Hope Memorial Garden is a place of reflection and remembrance for all who have lost a child of any age. The program will include music, readings and a speaking of names of those children who will always be remembered. Attendees may bring a 3-inch potted flower to plant (annuals only) or a fresh flower to place at the Angel of Hope Memorial. Refreshments will be served after the program. Attendees may also bring a 4x6 picture of their child that can be turned into a button. Donations are welcome. For more information call, 574-252-6500 or go online to angelofhopemichiana.org.

BUCHANAN — Buchanan Area Senior Center will present the Preventing Auto-Immune Conditions program at 2 p.m. May 17. The guest speaker, Dr. Jane Oelke, Natural Choices Inc., will discuss the various common auto-immune diseases and how to prevent or reduce them. Learn how to balance gut health along with reducing inflammation to strengthen the immune system. The center is located at 810 Rynearson St. Register at 269-695-7119.

Support Groups

MISHAWAKA — Michiana Hematology Oncology will hold its monthly Breast Cancer Survivor Support Group meeting from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. May 15 at 5340 Holy Cross Parkway. This month’s guest speaker is Dr. Melissa Gillette, genetic counselor at Saint Joseph Health System, presenting “Genetics in Cancer.” All are welcome including current patients, family members and cancer support advocates. Sign-up is not required. If you would like to RSVP or ask a question, contact Monica Chan at 574-231-6479; monica.chan@mhopc.com.

ST. JOSEPH — When you are grieving it can be tough getting out and socializing again. Help ease the transition by joining us the second Friday of every month for “Just Coffee” from 9 to 11 a.m. at Lory’s Place, 445 Upton Drive. Meet this month on May 10.

NILES — Enjoy a walk along the River Valley Trail with others who are grieving to walk and talk in a supportive environment. There are areas to rest along the path as needed. This is an open group and there is no registration needed. This is an adult-only group. All groups begin in the parking lot of the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St. This walk will be held the third Wednesday of every month May 15 through Sept. 18, weather permitting. For more information, contact Allison Beiler at 269-429-7100, Spectrum Health Lakeland.

Blood drives

South Bend Medical Foundation will hold the following drives. Register at givebloodnow.com:

• New Carlisle Fire Department, 106 S. Arch St., New Carlisle, 2 to 5 p.m. May 10.

• LaPorte County 81, 202 Chicago St., Michigan City, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT May 11.

• Southwire Company, 515 Copperfield Way, Visitor Entrance, Bremen, 2 to 6 p.m. May 14.

• Saint Joseph Health System, 1915 Lake Ave., Plymouth, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 14.

• Elkhart Brass Manufacturing, 1302 W. Beardsley Ave., Elkhart, 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 16.

• Safe Fleet, 319 Roske Drive, Elkhart, 9 to 11 a.m. May 16.

The American Red Cross will hold the following drives. Register at redcrossblood.org:

• Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive, Syracuse, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. May 10.

• Frank and Edward Skwiat American Legion Post 451, 121 Skwiat Legion Ave., Michigan City, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT May 11.

• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 402 E. Coolspring Ave., Michigan City, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT May 11.

• Walmart, 700 W. Ireland Road, South Bend, 1 to 6 p.m. May 13.

• Innovation Park at Notre Dame, 1400 E. Angela Blvd., South Bend, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14.

• Sunnyside Park, 68546 S. Clinton, New Paris, 1 to 6 p.m. May 14.

• St. John and Bernard Parish, 555 E. Delaware Ave., Benton Harbor, noon to 5 p.m. May 14.

• Plymouth Fire Department, 111 N. Center St., Plymouth, 1 to 6 p.m. May 15.

• Pleasant View Church, 58529 County Road 23, Goshen, 1 to 6 p.m. May 15.

• Marquette High School, 306 W. Tenth St., Michigan City, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT May 15.

• Knights of Columbus, 340 E. 50 N., Winamac, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. May 15.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Health Briefs for South Bend area beginning May 10, 2024