Remember loved ones with paper dove
Gulfside Hospice’s five thrift shop locations will be selling paper doves to remember loved ones, while supplies last. For $5, you receive two doves to write a loved one’s name on — one for a tree at the shop, and one for your tree at home. Erin Labbe, Gulfside Hospice special events coordinator, hangs a dove to honor a loved one. For information and shop locations, call (800) 561-4883, or visit GHPPC.org.
Huntington’s disease support
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a support group for anyone whose life is affected by Huntington’s disease Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Guests should check in at the front desk for directions to the meeting room.
For information, call Nina Qualters at (727) 236-3578, or email .
Breast cancer support group
Florida Cancer Affiliates will host a breast cancer support group meeting Dec. 18 at 6 p.m., at its Trinity center, 3611 Little Road.
For information, call (727) 372-9159.
Lymphedema support meeting
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will host a lymphedema support group meeting Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.
Lymphedema is a persistent swelling usually affecting an arm or leg that sometimes occurs as a side effect of cancer treatment.
For information and reservations, call (727) 834-5630.
Caring for Cancer group
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Spring Hill, will host Caring for Cancer, a support group for anyone dealing with cancer, cancer survivors, family members and caregivers, Dec. 23 at 11 a.m.
Participants will receive educational material about cancer and cancer treatment.
For information, call Julie DiRenzo at (352) 597-6030.
Free health care event
The Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., will host a free health care event Jan. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Guests can get help in choosing and signing up for a health care plan.
For information, call (813) 995-0078.
Tools to Quit smoking
The Medical Center of Trinity, 9330 State Road 54, will offer the free Tools to Quit program for tobacco users Jan. 6 at 2 p.m.
Participants will set a quit date, make a plan, and work through steps to quit.
Those attending also will receive free optional nicotine replacement therapy including patches, lozenges or gum.
For information and to register, call (813) 929-1000, Ext. 208, or email .
Lodge offers TOPS program
J.F. Swartsel Lodge, 3309 Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz, offers the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) program every Wednesday.
Weigh-in is at 9 a.m., followed by a meeting at 9:45 a.m.
For information, call Mary Clark at (813) 908-3587.
Balance program for senior citizens
Anytime Fitness, 7016 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz, is offering an Agility & Balance Program for senior citizens on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.
The cost is $5 per session for Anytime Fitness members, and $8 for non-members.
For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .
Caregiver support
The Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group meets the first Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway.
The group is open to anyone who has a loved one with any form of dementia.
Topics include caregiving frustrations and successes.
Admission is free.
For information, call (813) 996-1361, or email .
Senior citizen strength classes
The Groves Golf and Country Club, 7924 Melogold Circle in Land O’ Lakes, offers a Silver Sneakers Strength & Balance program on Wednesdays at 9 a.m.
These are low-impact classes to improve flexibility and balance.
Classes are free to Silver Sneakers members, and $5 for non-members.
For information, call Tom Marbell at (352) 409-2984, or email .
OLOR cancer network
Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church Family Cancer Network meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month in Rosary Hall, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, beginning at 7 p.m.
Cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to attend.
For information, call (813) 949-4565.
Free pregnancy care
LifeChoices Women’s Care, 1527 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 101 in Lutz, offers free pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds to teenagers, women and couples facing an unplanned pregnancy.
The center is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointments are recommended.
NAMI offers support
The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness offers the following support groups:
Family & Friends Support Meetings for family and friends of those with mental illness:
- NAMI Pasco Office, Jallo Plaza, 6480 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, first and third Tuesday of every month, at 7 p.m.
- Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, second and fourth Monday of every month, at 7:30 p.m.
NAMI Connections for those living with mental illness:
- NAMI Pasco Office, 6480 Jallo Plaza, 6480 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, every Tuesday, at 7 p.m.
- Medical Center of Trinity West Campus, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey, every Wednesday, at 7 p.m.
For information, call (727) 992-9653.
Celebrate Recovery from addictions
Victorious Life Church, 6224 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, offers a Celebrate Recovery group on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
The group is a recovery resource for healing from addictions. Participants will discuss hurts, hang-ups and habits.
For information, call (813) 973-2230.
Oak Hill offers mammograms for uninsured
Oak Hill Hospital, 11375 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville, offers digital mammography screenings for $60 to patients without health insurance.
The screening includes the imaging and the radiologist’s reading.
Patients do not need a prescription from a physician to schedule a screening.
For information, or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 921-7158.
Veteran hotline help
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a toll-free help line to provide emotional support and resource referral to veterans in a five-county area.
The service covers Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties.
The hotline is staffed by veterans.
Any veteran needing help or information can call (844) 693-5838 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
After-hours and weekend calls will be answered by crisis specialists in the Crisis Center’s 2-1-1 call center.
