Mary Rathman

Access Health Care, 5350 Spring Hill Drive in Spring Hill, will present a lecture on “Normal Thyroid Function Can Change” on March 31 from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. The lecture will cover how the gland works, what it means, and how to protect it. For information and to register, call (352) 688-8116, ext. 4344.

CARES (Community Aging and Retirement Services) and Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point are looking for volunteers to help provide the program, A Matter of Balance, to assist people in managing concerns about falls and increase physical activity.

The class is conducted in eight two-hour sessions and uses group discussion, problem-solving strategies, videos and gentle physical exercise.

Coaches need good communication and interpersonal skills, enthusiasm, dependability and willingness to lead small groups of older adults.

Training involves one eight-hour session. A coach’s handbook is provided. Coaches are required to lead the classes in pairs, so bring a friend.

A training class will take place on March 31 at 4:30 p.m., at the Rao Musunuru MD Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson.

For information and to register, call (727) 862-9291, ext. 2008.

Every Thursday, the New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, hosts a SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elderly) representative to answer Medicare questions. For information, call (813) 788-6375.

The Wesley Chapel/Wiregrass Ranch Relay for Life will take place April 1 at 6 p.m., to April 2 at 6 a.m., at the Wesley Chapel High School track, 30651 Wells Road. Survivors and their caregivers are invited to participate in a victory lap around the track, will receive a free T-shirt, dinner and a gift. This yearly fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will include more than 35 teams raising money. For information, email .

The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host these upcoming community events:

• Childbirth Super Prep Course: April 2 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• NAMI Family & Friends Support Group: April 5 and April 19 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Autism Support Group: April 13 at 7 p.m.
• Chatterboxes: April 14 and April 28 at 3 p.m.
• Tools to Quit: April 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For information and reservations, call (727) 834-5630, or visit MedicalCenterTrinity.com.

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will offer a four-week balance program on April 4, April 6, April 11 and April 13, at the Rao Musunuru MD Conference Center, 14100 Yosemite Drive in Hudson. Classes meet from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Participants can learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increased activity, exercise to increase strength and balance, and more.

For reservations and information, call (727) 869-5498.

Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point will offer a Tuesday Tutorial on “Chronic Bronchitis, COPD and Emphysema” on April 5. The pulmonary education program will be presented by Dr. Domenick Sorresso, board certified in pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine, sleep medicine and internal medicine.

Registration and lunch being at 11:30 a.m., followed by the tutorial at noon.

For information and reservations, call (727) 869-5498.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7050 Gall Blvd., will host the last of its orthopedic forums on April 6 at 12:15 p.m. Dr. Gerald Alexander will discuss “Getting Down to the Bare Bones,” and answer concerns on arthritis, aching joints, hip or knee pain, or other orthopedic issues. Light refreshments will be served. Reservations are required by calling (866) 534-3108.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will offer a diabetes support group on April 6 at 3 p.m., at the CREATION Health Wellness Center, 38233 Daughtery Road in Zephyrhills.

Dr. Sunil Gupta, a Zephyrhills cardiologist, will discuss heart disease and diabetes, how to manage and control diabetes, reduce complications and improve overall health.

For information, call (813) 715-6683.

Florida Cancer Affiliates, 3611 Little Road in Trinity, will offer a stress reduction group on April 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The group is open to anyone who feels overwhelmed at times, is struggling to find a balance in life, or just wants a place to freely express feelings with those going through the similar experiences.

Stress can be work or school related, relationship stress, caregiver stress, illness or health stress, parenting or family stress, or financial stress.

For information, call (727) 808-4818.