On the Start Line
Beginning today, a lecture titled “Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition,” led by an internist and a sports medicine specialist, will kick off a series of seminars to prepare runners for the Los Angeles Marathon. The other sessions are “Marathon Medical Do’s and Do Nots,” Feb. 12; “Blisters and Keys to Healthy Runners’ Feet,” Feb. 19; and “Break the Barrier: How to Finish” on Feb. 26. Sessions will be held at City of Angels Medical Center, 1711 W. Temple St., Los Angeles. 7 p.m. Free. (213) 989-6100.
EDUCATION
* Tuesday: “I Can Cope,” a free four-week course for newly diagnosed cancer patients and their loved ones, will be held on four consecutive Tuesdays beginning today. The sessions are “Learning About Cancer and Cancer Treatment,” “Keeping Well in Mind and Body,” “Understanding Feelings and Relationships” and “Discovering Resources and Celebrating Life.” All sessions will be at the Cecilia Gonzalez De La Hoya Cancer Center at White Memorial Medical Center, 1720 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., Boyle Heights. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Registration required. (323) 260-5768.
* Wednesday: “Dental Health: Five Steps in the Right Direction,” led by a dentist, will focus on the importance of good dental health for senior citizens. Topics will include preventive measures, dentures, gum disease, crowns, bridges, bleaching, veneers and the costs of dental work. Glendale Memorial Hospital, 1420 S. Central Ave. Free. Reservations required, (818) 502-2396.
* Wednesday: A lecture on acupressure massage, homeopathy and holistic medicine, led by a doctor of Eastern medicine, will focus on 16 acupressure points to treat headaches, PMS, fatigue and colds. Beverly Hills Adult School, Room 129, 255 S. Laski Drive, 7-9 p.m. $25. (310) 277-4747.
* Wednesday: “Laser Photolysis,” led by a doctor, will discuss a procedure used in cataract surgery. Torrance Marriott, 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance. 6-8 p.m. Free. Reservations recommended. (888) 735-3865.
* Thursday: “Managing Back Pain” will address low back pain and its causes, back pain management, microdiscectomy and laser discectomy. 6-8 p.m. Torrance Marriot, 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance. Free. Reservations recommended. (888) 735-3865.
EVENTS
* Sunday: The 16th annual Heart Run and Walk and one of the official warm-up races for the Los Angeles Marathon will include a 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer run and a 5-kilometer walk. Proceeds benefit the American Heart Assn. Warner Center, Woodland Hills, at the corner of Oxnard and Owensmouth. Registration begins at 6:45 a.m. Entry fee is $20. Must call to receive registration form, (800) AHA-USA1 or (310) 277-2171.
SCREENINGS
* Wednesday: Memory screenings, S+AGE Center, 5000 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 110, Sherman Oaks. 1-3 p.m. (first and third Wednesday of the month). Free. Appointments required. (818) 990-2573
STUDIES
* Members of the UCLA Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Genetic Study are seeking participants for a research study that may help uncover the genetic basis of the disorder. Families with two or more children, ages 5 or older, who have ADHA or ADD are needed. Free psychological, cognitive and educational evaluations provided, plus financial compensation. (310) 825-8660.
SUPPORT GROUPS
* Wednesday: Sleep apnea group. Northridge Hospital, Roscoe Campus, Campus Sleep Evaluation Center, Institute for Life Building. 18300 Roscoe Blvd. (818) 885-8500, ext. 2782.
* Wednesday: Osteoporosis group (meets bimonthly on the first Wednesday of even-numbered months). Little Company of Mary Hospital, Del Webb Health Education Building, 4101 Torrance Blvd., Torrance. 7 p.m. Free. Reservations required. (310) 325-7048.
* Thursday: Breast cancer group (meets second Thursday of each month) for survivors, friends and family members. Glendale Memorial Hospital, Cancer Center Auditorium, 1520 S. Central Ave. 5:30-7 p.m. Free. (818) 502-2323.
* Thursday: Fibromyalgia group and self-help course (meets second Thursday of each month). Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Greater Valley Medical Group Building, 11600 Indian Hills Road, Mission Hills. 6-7 p.m. Free. (818) 898-4529.
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