Health and fitness events

ADULT COED KICKBALL: Registration will end Dec. 15 for Kickball Society's adult co-ed winter league, which plays in Tampa from the second week in January through March 7. For information, call (813) 454-1178 or visit www.kickballsociety.com.

RUN/WALK FOR CANCER CURE: The third annual Sunshine Challenge, a fun run and walk to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, will be held Sunday at Al Lopez Park in Tampa. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m., the event at 2 p.m. Registered participants are encouraged to collect pledges for the event. The cost is $25 per adult entrant, $15 for children ages 12 and under. Call (813) 269-0955 or visit www.fastercure.org.

WALK TO SUPPORT KIDNEY RESEARCH: The NephCure Foundation will hold a free walk Dec. 12 at Sand Key Park, 1060 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater. Registration is at 9 a.m.; the walk begins at 9:30 a.m. Any walker who collects more than $100 will receive a free T-shirt. To register, donate or get information, call 1-866-637-4287 or visit www.neph cure.org.

WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE: Registration is open for a local Weight Loss Challenge program inspired by reality television show "The Biggest Loser." The 12-week program begins Dec. 12. Participants meet for an hour each week and receive a free body analysis, information on nutrition and exercise, and a personal wellness coach. There is a one-time fee of $40, $30 of which goes into the pot to be shared by the three "biggest losers." Day and evening groups are forming in Plant City. Call (813) 719-6854.

ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS: USF Health Alzheimer's Center will present "Alzheimer's Disease: What Caregivers Need to Know" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at Palms of Largo, Cypress Palms Building, 400 Lake Ave. N.E., Largo. Topics will include treatment, communication strategies and understanding Alzheimer's. Call (813) 974-4355 or 1-800-633-4563 in Florida.

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR SCREENING STUDY: Moffitt Cancer Center is seeking participants for a pancreatic cancer screening study. The study will examine participants for early signs of pancreatic cancer, with a goal of identifying the disease at an early stage. One hundred participants who meet at least one of the following criteria are needed:

• You have two first-degree relatives with pancreatic or breast cancer

• You have three family members with pancreatic cancer, and at least one is a first-degree relative.

• You have Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome and are older than 30.

• You have hereditary pancreatitis.

• You have familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome.

• You have inherited the BRCA2 gene and have a family history of pancreatic cancer.

• You haven't been screened for pancreatic cancer with a CT or an endoscopic ultrasound scan in the past three years.

Call (813) 745-8358 or e-mail Tiffany.Campo@moffitt.org.

MASTERS SWIM TEAM: The St. Pete Beach Aquatic Center is a satellite facility for the St. Pete Masters Swim Team. Programs will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. weekdays and will be appropriate for all levels of training and fitness. Coaching fee is $35 monthly. Call (727) 363-9245.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Suncoast Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is seeking volunteers in Tampa for a variety of tasks and projects, including data entry, reception, bulk mailings and assisting with fundraising events. Work may take place during regular office hours; some may require weekend and evening hours. Call (813) 963-6461 or e-mail sheryl.oliff@lls.org.

MASTER SWIMMERS: Tampa Bay Aquatics Masters has openings for fitness and competitive swimmers and triathletes. The group swims at a complex near downtown Tampa. For information, visit www.tampa swim.com or e-mail arnp1961@aol.com.

FREE FITNESS CLASSES: Free fitness and movement classes are offered from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Hyde Park Methodist Church (Magnolia building), 500 W. Platt St., Tampa.

TRY A CLASS: Try a class for free at any of the City of St. Petersburg's 17 recreation facilities. Call (727) 893-7441 or visit www.stpete.org/recreation.

MALL WALKING: Free mall walking takes place at 8:30 a.m. daily at Westfield Town Center, Brandon. Call (813) 684-3316.

VOLUNTEER DISPATCHERS AND DRIVERS NEEDED: HealthRide, which provides patients with free transportation to and from Morton Plant North Bay Hospital and Trinity Outpatient Center in New Port Richey, needs volunteer drivers and dispatchers. Shifts are from 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. weekdays. Call (727) 841-4623.

SPECIALIZED HEARING DEVICES: The Deaf and Hearing Connection for Tampa Bay offers free specialized telephones and ring-signaling devices to Florida residents. Equipment is available by appointment. Call (727) 399-9983, or Florida Telecommunications Relay at 1-800-222-3448 (voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (TTY), or visit www.ftri.org.

SHOP FOR A CURE: Moffitt Cancer Center has launched ShopForCancerCures.org, an online shopping mall to benefit cancer research. It offers merchandise from more than 600 online merchants, and special offers.

Healing

ADDICTION TESTING AND CONSULTATION: Laser Therapy Stop Smoking Center, 3314 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, offers free nicotine-addiction testing. Appointments are suggested. Call 1-800-NOSMOKE or (813) 874-4700 for an appointment.

CAR SEAT SAFETY: St. Joseph's Children's Hospital, with National Safe Kids, presents classes on car-seat safety on an ongoing basis. Adults must bring the appropriate car and child to the class. Call (813) 870-4747.

DIABETES SELF-MANAGEMENT: The Largo Community Center, 65 Fourth St. S.W., will host a four-week program to teach ways to control diabetes and improve quality of life. Classes meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays. Call (727) 518-3131.

MENOPAUSE INFORMATION: Download a podcast of one of a series of radio call-in shows discussing menopause at www.cope withmenopause.com. Click on the top right icon for "The Menopause Dialogues" podcast downloads.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE: The Centre for Women, 305 S. Hyde Park Ave., Tampa, offers free, confidential assessments for substance abuse. Call (813) 251-8437 and ask for Project Recovery.

SENIOR LEGAL ISSUES: An elder-care lawyer will answer questions on power of attorney, living wills and guardianship from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. the last Wednesday of each month at University Community Hospital-Carrollwood, 717 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Call (813) 615-7300.

SENIORS AND SUBSTANCE ISSUES: The Florida BRITE Project of The Centre for Women provides outreach and intervention services, including screening for substance abuse and depression, education on proper medication use and management, treatment and referrals and home visits, for people age 60 and older. All services are confidential and free. Call (813) 571-1684 or visit www.centreforwomen.org.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: St. Joseph's Hospital offers free orientations for several research-based diet programs. Call (813) 870-4624 for an appointment.

Health Screenings

ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY: Be scanned by Laser Therapy Center for the status of antioxidant activity in your body. Cost $10, by appointment only. Call (813) 874-4700.

CHOLESTEROL SCREENINGS: 2 to 3 p.m. the fourth Tuesday monthly at South Florida Baptist Hospital, 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City. No appointment necessary. Cost $20. Call (813) 757-8511.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS: 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays at South Florida Baptist Hospital, 301 N. Alexander St., Plant City. No appointment necessary. Call (813) 757-8511.

HEALTHY WOMEN TODAY: The Pasco County Health Department's Healthy Women Today program offers free or reduced-cost mammograms and other health screenings for women 50 and older who lack health insurance and meet eligibility requirements. Services are available at clinics in Dade City, Land O' Lakes, Hudson, New Port Richey and Zephyrhills, and at Good Samaritan Health Clinic in New Port Richey. For an appointment, call (727) 816-1100.

HIV TESTING: Anonymous testing for HIV is $20 at the Pasco County Health Department, 10841 Little Road, New Port Richey. For an appointment, call (727) 861-5250, ext. 161. Confidential testing also is available by appointment; call (727) 862-0782.

MEMORY: Roskamp Institute Memory Clinic, 5208 E. Fowler Ave., Suite E, Tampa, offers free memory screenings for adults 60 and older. Appointments are required. Call (813) 979-2008.