Women’s Center offers osteoporosis screenings

Because osteoporosis is a silent, progressive weakening of the bone, many people do not realize they have it until they suffer a fracture. The CoxHealth Women’s Center will offer osteoporosis risk assessments and, for those at increased risk, bone density screenings for $25 on Friday, March 20.

Screenings will be held in Suite 110 of the Turner Center, 1000 E. Primrose. The screening is for men and women aged 21 and older. Take this opportunity to find out if you are at risk.

You must have an appointment, so call 269-INFO today.

Comedy event benefits Cure Kids Cancer

Join Cure Kids Cancer and Last Comic Standing comedian Ralphie May for the 2009 Brewhaha event Friday, April 3, at Icon Nightclub, 307 Park Central East in downtown Springfield.

Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $35 per person (ages 21 and over only). Local opening acts, a silent auction, food from Big Whiskey’s and an appearance by NFL player Grant Wistrom round out the evening. Proceeds benefit Cure Kids Cancer and the Grant Wistrom Foundation.

Cure Kids Cancer is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and saving the lives of children with cancer by raising funds for local pediatric programs. The 170 Cure Kids Cancer hospitals provide diagnosis, life-saving cancer treatments and pediatric cancer education programs that help children with cancer and their families find hope for the future. All Cure Kids Cancer funds remain local to help local children. For more information about Cure Kids Cancer, visit www.coxhealth.com.

The Grant Wistrom Foundation was founded in July 2002, and strives to provide pediatric cancer patients with time to “just be children.” For more information about the Grant Wistrom Foundation, visit www.grantwistrom.net.

Gold medalist Nastia Liukin visits patients

Gymnast Nastia Liukin shared stories and signed autographs for several patients in the Pediatrics unit at Cox South on Saturday. The Olympic champion made time for the visit prior to her afternoon appearance at the Missouri Winter Games.

“It just reminds you not to take anything for granted,” Liukin told members of the media who covered her visit. “I’ve done a few of these kinds of visits before, the rest of the day you’re always thinking about them and you just hope to put a big smile on their faces.”

Liukin chatted with several patients and families on the floor, meeting one teenage patient who had waited to be released so she could meet Liukin. She also stopped to write words of encouragement in the journal of another teen.

Liukin also autographed photos and posters that will be auctioned off by Children’s Miracle Network.