Health and fitness briefs, Oct. 9, 2012

Tonight the Integris Cancer Institute of Oklahoma will host a screening of the award-winning documentary, “Awaken the Dragon.”

The 90-minute film, produced by Liz Oakley, documents “the courageous journey of a small group of cancer patients facing an immortal and ferocious creature — cancer — taking viewers on a journey of hope and healing,” according to a news release.

Watch the documentary this evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the cancer institute, 5911 W Memorial Road.

For more information or to reserve a spot, call the Integris HealthLine at 951-2277. Attendees are welcome to tour the institute and the ProCure Proton Therapy Center.

Get fit

Are you a cancer survivor? If you've completed cancer treatment within the past five years, you're eligible to participate in SurvivorFit, a 12-week strength and fitness program offered by the Integris Cancer Institute of Oklahoma and the Integris PACER Fitness Center.

The program aims to help cancer survivors improve their health and quality of life.

To accomplish that, SurvivorFit “encourages participants to take charge of their recovery by strengthening their spirit through mind-body awareness, addressing causes of stress and anxiety and boosting their stamina, energy level and self-esteem with an exercise program tailored to their needs and abilities,” according to a news release.

Participants will learn “a wide variety of exercises designed to build muscle mass and strength, increase flexibility, boost cardiovascular endurance and improve their capacity to perform daily living activities, from work to play,” the release notes.

The 12-week program is about to begin. The group meets in the first floor classroom at the fitness center, 5520 N Independence.

For more information or to register, call 951-2277.

Integris Third Age Life Center regularly supports families by hosting seminars for caregivers. The latest batch of seminars begins Thursday.

Caring for a sick or dying loved one is an arduous, emotional task, and about one in four adults has provided some level of care during the past year. As baby boomers age, the number of caregivers and the burdens they bear will grow.

If you are feeling overwhelmed or need answers about caregiving, consider attending the Caregiver Fundamentals Seminars. The seminars, provided by Sunbeam Family Services, “are designed to bring you timely inspiration and information,” according to a news release.