Focus group

Howard County General Hospital's Center for Breast Care is looking for women who are living with metastatic breast cancer to participate in a focus group to help determine the services and resources needed by this population. Women interested in participating should contact Tina Evans, 410-884-4650 or cevans@hcgh.org.

The center guides women dealing with cancer through diagnostic and treatment options and includes personal support and counseling.

Blood donations

The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the American Red Cross is requesting blood donations. Eligible donors can call 800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. Platelet donors should call 800-272-2123.

Calendar

Graduate courses offered At Tai Sophia Laurel campus, 7750 Montpelier Road. RSVP to the office of graduate admissions, 410-888-9048, ext. 6647, or e-mail admissions@tai.edu.The school is now enrolling for the following programs: master's programs in acupuncture, science in herbal medicine, arts in transformative leadership and social change. Graduate certificate programs include health coaching, herbal studies, medical herbalism, transformative leadership and wellness coaching. The institute is a nonprofit, accredited educational institution for wellness-based studies. The institute is at 7750 Montpelier Road, Laurel.

Community health fair Activities include seminars on spirituality and health, fitness and nutrition, healthy relationships and a variety of health screenings, sponsored by St. John Baptist Church health and wholeness ministry. The fair will be held 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 26 at 9055 Tamar Drive, Columbia. Information: 410-992-6977.

Why Medicare isn't enough Find out what Medicare health plan options (Part C) best suit your needs. Sponsored by the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Howard County Office on Aging, the workshop will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, in the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. Information 410-313-7391.

Jewelry fundraiser Sponsored by the Laurel Regional Hospital Auxiliary from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 16, 7300 Van Dusen Road, featuring gold jewelry, diamonds, watches, gem stones and children's jewelry. Proceeds will go toward capital equipment for the hospital. Information: 301-572-5636.

Support groups

Teens Together Support Networking group for teens who have or have had a friend or family member diagnosed with cancer will meet from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the third Sunday of each month in The Medical Pavilion, 10710 Charter Drive, Columbia. Contact Kelly Schwab at kschwabfam@gmail.com

Support/intervention programs Offered at Laurel Regional Hospital, 7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel:

•Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m. Sundays

•Bipolar, 6 p.m. Thursdays

•Narcotics Anonymous, 7 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays

•Parkinson's, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Information: 301-776-3426

•Rehabilitation Sharing — strokes and long-term illness, 6 p.m., the second Thursday of the month. Information: Physical Medicine, 301-497-7901 or 410-792-2270. All programs are free. Information: 301-497-7914 or 410-792-7636.

Cancer support group for caregivers meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center, 10710 Charter Drive, Suite G050, Columbia. Mary M. Dowling will lead the discussion. Registration: 410-964-9100, ext. 5. Walk-ins are welcome.

Widows and widowers group will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at Jilly's, 10300 Baltimore National Pike, the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, Ellicott City. Information: 410-740-5858.

Parkinson's education and support group will meet at 7 p.m. the third Monday of every month, 8180 Lark Brown Road, Elkridge. Information: 410-955-8795.

Parent and caregivers support group of children and adolescents with serious mental health issues meets at 1:30 p.m. the second Monday of every month in Room 204, First Presbyterian Church, 8325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia and the last Wednesday of every month (except July) at 7:30 p.m. Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Fawn Court, Columbia. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) support groups are free. Information 410-772-9300 or visit http://www.nami.org/sites/namihowardcounty.

Family support group sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is offered to family and friends of adults with a mental illness at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month in the Day room at Harmony Hall Retirement Community Center, 6336 Cedar Lane, Columbia and at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of every month at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Room No. 3, 10755 Scaggsville. Information 410-772-9300.