Health Briefs
Fourth annual ALS walk news

Walk to Defeat ALS, an effort to raise funds benefiting research and patient care services for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, will take place Sun., May 4 at Plaza Park in Ventura. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m., and the opening ceremony will start at 10:30 a.m.

The event is part of the continued campaign by The ALS Association, Greater Los Angeles Chapter to raise awareness and funding for the fight against ALS.

Commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, 5,600 new cases of ALS are diagnosed annually. The disease affects the function of the nerves and muscles. People with ALS have an average life expectancy of two to five years from the time of diagnosis, and there is no known cause, prevention or cure.

For more information or to register for the walk, visit www.alsala.org or call (818) 8658061, ext. 229.

New group for women with breast cancer

A new support group for women with breast cancer is being offered by the Wellness Community Valley/Ventura and Community Memorial Hospital. The group meets every Thursday from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Community Memorial Hospital Cancer Resource Center, 184 N. Brent St., Ventura.

The group is free and facilitated by licensed therapist Maryana Palmer.

For more information, call the Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura at (805) 379-4777. Depression, bipolar support group meets

DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, hosts a regular support group from 2 to 4 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at the Adult Wellness and Recovery Center at 56 E. Main St., Ste. 103, Ventura.

The group is confidential and peer-led for people coping with depression and bipolar disorder.

Anyone diagnosed with a mood disorder or who has a family member or a friend who is diagnosed is welcome to attend.

For more information, visit www.DBSAlliance.org.