Making Strides walk

Join the fight against breast cancer by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks on Sunday, Oct. 16. Walks will take place in Brunswick, Damariscotta and Portland. Funds raised from the walks support breast cancer research, education and patient services.

To start or join a team, to volunteer on the day of the event, or to request information, visit www.cancer.org/strideonline, or call (800) 463-3102, then press 3.

Healthy Living Expo

BANGOR – The Healthy Living Expo and Forum will be held 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Bangor Civic Center. A sneak preview for medical professionals, town officials and the media is set for 8-10 a.m.

The seminar schedule includes:

. Preventing and Treating Diabetes II with Nutrition, 10:30 a.m., Heather Leclerc, Eastern Maine Medical Center Diabetes Center.

. Natural and Complementary Health, 11:30 a.m., Sue Richardson and Lynne Jamison, Complementary Health Center.

. Cellular Health, 1:30 p.m., Melanie Rainey, Manna 4 Health.

. Cancer and Genetics, 4:30 p.m., Dr. Beauregard, EMMC Cancer Care of Maine.

. Drug Addiction, 5:30 p.m., Boston Drug Enforcement Agency.

. Mental Illness, 6:30 p.m., presenter to be announced.

The Pampered Chef will host a healthful-meal preparation and demonstration from noon to 5 p.m. Recipe books and other items will be given away.

Free health screenings will be conducted, including blood pressure, weight and body fats and glucose levels.

Free fingerprinting kits and gun safety locks will be offered by the Bangor Police Department. The Glenburn Fire Department will offer fire prevention advice, demonstrations, education and CPR skills. And Sparkey the Fire Dog will be available to be photographed with children.

Admission to the expo is $5, $4 seniors. Children under age 12 are admitted without charge. Students with ID receive $2 off the admission fee. To learn about the expo, call Health Connections, 947-6862, or visit www.hcexpo.com.

Speaking of Women’s Health

Speaking of Women’s Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating women about health issues, will hold a community event 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at Wal-Mart stores. Participants may take a pledge for better health and receive a free copy of “Simple Pledges: Building Blocks for Healthy Living.” To obtain information, call local Wal-Mart stores.

Legs for Life

Vascular Care of Maine will offer free screenings for peripheral vascular disease 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23. The event is part of the national Legs for Life program.

To make an appointment for a screening, call 973-8193. To obtain information, visit www.emmc.org.

Healthy Heart programs

The following programs offered by Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Cardiac Wellness of Maine are designed to promote heart health:

. Cooking for a Healthy Heart, 9-10:30 a.m. Saturdays, Sept. 17 and 24, and Oct.1. $30.

. Cooking for One or Two, 4:30-6 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 3 and 10. $20.

. Cooking for Women and Family, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22 and 29. $20.

. Women at Risk For Heart Disease, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12. Free.

Registration is required for all classes and space is limited. To register or get information, call Cardiac Wellness of Maine, 973-8476.

Hospice training

BANGOR – Hospice of Eastern Maine, a program of the Bangor Area Visiting Nurses, will offer a volunteer training course for those who feel called to share time and friendship with patients and families living with terminal illness. The agency’s service area encompasses communities within a 25-mile radius of Bangor.

The 24-hour training course will be held 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 11-Nov. 15, at the Eastern Maine Healthcare Mall, 885 Union St., Suite 220, Bangor. The course will prepare volunteers to provide emotional support, respite care, bereavement support and other comfort services to hospice patients and their families residing at home, in nursing facilities or at Eastern Maine Medical Center’s palliative care unit.

To obtain information, call Wayne Melanson, director of volunteer services at 973-8269, or (800) 350-8269.