As with every month, Emanuel Medical Center will hold a number of classes meant for everything from grief support to help with varying forms of cancer during the month of July.
Jessica’s House provides grief support for children, teens and families when a family member dies. To prevent feelings of loneliness, Jessica’s House acts as a safe place for families to come together and share their experiences.
The sessions are bi-monthly and run for an hour and a half, beginning with a talking circle for children and teens and concluding with activities in the art studio and playroom. Families are welcome to participate for as much or little as they feel they need. A new group specifically helps children and teens who have lost a parent or sibling to suicide. The program is free but pre-registration is required. For more information or to register for a group, call 209-250-5395 or email info@jessicashouse.org.
Emanuel also offers a number of childbirth education classes, such as the One-day Childbirth class which is held July 12 from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. and includes a tour of the Mary Stuart Rogers Birthing Center. A similar class will be offered in Spanish and will be held July 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The classes and tours are free, but pre-registration is required. Call 209-664-2580 to register.
In addition to these classes are Stork Hour and Breastfeeding and Beyond. Stork Hour is a one-hour tour of the Mary Stuart Rogers Birthing Center on July 12 from 5 to 6 p.m. The tour is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 209-664-2580 to register.
Breastfeeding and Beyond is a support group for new mothers that meets every Tuesday from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Mother Baby waiting room. Nursing mothers and babies are welcome, no pre-registration needed, and is free of charge. Baby weight checks are available. Mothers are encouraged to bring their questions and concerns and network with other new moms in the area.
Lastly, Emanuel Cancer Center offers a number of cancer support groups which are all free of charge. Contact the Emanuel Cancer Center at 209-664-2434 to register or ask questions. All programs are conducted at Emanuel Cancer Center, 880 E. Tuolumne Road, Turlock.
Cancer in Your Life is a support group for current and former adult cancer patients and meets on the first and third Tuesday of every month (July 1 and 15) from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Call 209-664-5044 for more information.
Look Good Feel Better is another program for adults, this one teaching beauty techniques to women undergoing cancer treatment. The class is meant to help combat the appearance-related side effects of treatment and will be held July 21 from noon to 2 p.m. in the Emanuel Cancer Center Conference Room. To register, call the American Cancer Society at (800) 277-2345.
Emanuel also offers a Free Wig Room for those in treatment to visit and try on wigs. The wig room regularly stocks hats, scarves and lap blankets and is open weekdays to the community. The room is not limited to patients of Emanuel Cancer Center.
Another class offered to adult cancer patients and caregivers is Chair Yoga — a proven method of lowering blood pressure and stress levels, reducing pain, increasing lung capacity, enhancing mental awareness, and increasing feelings of relaxation and well-being. The 75-minute classes will be held every Monday at 10 a.m. and Wednesday at 2 p.m. in the Emanuel Cancer Center conference room. For more information, call 209-664-5044.
Finally, for those 5 to 17 years of age, there’s a Monkey Business children’s support group for children and teens whose loved ones have cancer. This group is free and open to the community. Call 209-664-2434 for registration information and session dates.
For more information on the classes, visit emanuelmedicalcenter.org.
