Health News

All area codes are 850 unless specified.

Sacred Heart Hospital

The following classes will be held at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. To register, call 278-3600 or toll-free (877) 416-1600, unless noted.

•Stroke Support Group: All stroke survivors, caregivers and family members are invited to attend this free support group at 3 p.m. March 22 in the Suite 3 conference room.

•Baby blues: A discussion group for new moms at 10 a.m. March 24 in the education classroom in the Family Birth Place. Registration required.

•Super Siblings: Class to help children prepare for the upcoming arrival of their new baby brother or sister at 4:30 p.m. March 24 in the Family Birth Place. Registration required.

•Diabetes education classes: Jenny Stuckey, registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, will host classes from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. April 6 and 8 for adults with diabetes who are looking for ways to manage their disease. Pre-registration required and a physician referral is needed to attend. Call 278-3683.

•Diabetes support group: The group will meet at 6 p.m. April 6 in the hospital’s Resource Center Suite 1 education classroom. Physician referral not required to attend. To join, call Jenny Stuckey at 278-3683.

Stroke Awareness seminar

A seminar on Stroke Awareness and Prevention will be held at 10 a.m. March 24 in the Suite 3 Resource Center conference room at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. To register for the free seminar or to receive more information, call 278-3600.

Blood drive

The Northwest Florida Blood Center will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 22 at Wal-mart in DeFuniak Springs and from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 31 at Freeport High School.

•April 3: Freeport Kiwanis/Fire Dept. Sports Complex, Hammock Bay,

8 a.m. to noon.

•April 14: Davita in DeFuniak Springs, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

•April 14: Northwest Florida State College, DeFuniak Springs, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every donor will receive a movie ticket.

•April 16: Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

•April 27: South Walton High School, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Quit Smoking NOW

Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, in conjunction with West Florida Area Health Education Center, will be the site for free Quit Smoking NOW classes at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays beginning March 24. This 6-week, evidence-based smoking cessation program offers individualized assessments and customized counseling sessions. Free Nicotine Replacement Therapies are available. Make reservations at

  Other "Quit Smoking Now" classes are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. May 3 at the Walton County Health Department and at noon May 6 at the South Walton County Health Department.