Communities slate events for Women’s Health Week

Next week, May 13-19, is the eighth annual National Women’s Health Week. A number of free events are planned in northern and eastern Maine.

Newport:

From 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at Sebasticook Valley Community Center, North Street. Women’s Night Out, sponsored by Sebasticook Family Doctors, is a fun and informative event for women, focusing on areas such as nutrition, exercise, oral health, depression and heart health. Healthful snacks, women’s health books, pedometers and heart-health red bracelets will be provided, as well as free chair massages and a demonstration of self-defense techniques. No preregistration needed; just drop in! For more information, call Juanita Taylor at 355-3049.

Lubec:

From 2 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, at 43 South Lubec Road, tea will be served, sponsored by Healthways Regional Medical Center and the Downeast Breast and Cervical Health Coalition. Participants will hear a presentation on breast health while enjoying a cup of hot tea and a light snack. The presenter is Diana Hayden, FNP. No preregistration needed. For more information, call Tami Dinsmore at 733-5541.

Machias and Calais:

From 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, Down East Community Hospital in Machias and Calais Regional Hospital in Calais will offer free breast and cervical cancer screenings, sponsored by Healthways Regional Medical Center in Lubec and the Downeast Breast and Cervical Health Coalition. Qualified women will receive a breast exam, a pelvic exam, a pap smear and a mammogram. To qualify, women must be between 40 and 64 years old, be uninsured or underinsured, and meet federal income guidelines. To register, call toll-free (800) 350-5180.

Augusta:

From 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 17, on the Kennebec Rail Trail join DHHS Walks for Women’s Health, sponsored by Maine Department of Health and Human Services and Maine in Motion. DHHS staff and members of the public will celebrate women’s health week by joining together to walk the Kennebec Rail Trail. Participants will meet under the bridge in the Rines parking lot. Bottled water, women’s health materials and prizes will be available. In the event of rain, the event will be held on May 18. For more information, call Sharon Leahy-Lind at 287-4577.

Waterville:

From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Alfond Youth Center, 126 North St., visit the World of Women’s Wellness, sponsored by Inland Hospital. Central Maine women are invited to enjoy a day of fun and wellness. The event is free and includes talks on a variety of health topics, a number of health screenings, healthful food, look-good elements such as free manicures, feel-good elements such as massage, exercise and cooking demonstrations, and dozens of informational booths. For more information, call Ellen Wells at 861-3292.

For more information about women’s health and Women’s Health Week, visit www.womenshealth.gov.

Compiled by BDN reporter Meg Haskell.