The Montgomery Hospice is seeking volunteers to provide care for terminally ill patients, bereavement support to families, and assistance with administrative tasks in homes or in-patient facilities. Training takes place from July 15-18 and July 22-25 for three hours per evening at the Montgomery Hospice office, 1450 Research Blvd. in Rockville. Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, June 28. Call 301-279-2567, Ext. 115, for an application.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is looking for parents and their healthy adolescent children 12-17 to participate in a study involving an interview and brain scan. No medication is involved, and compensation will be provided. Call 301-594-9950.
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development seeks Hispanic or Caucasian women 18-32 to participate in a research study comparing bone density. Volunteers may not be pregnant, nursing or planning pregnancy in the next three years. They may not be taking oral contraceptive or other medications, smoke more than two cigarettes per day or drink more than two alcoholic beverages per day. Participation involves four visits over a three-year period, a blood test, bone density and urine tests and cognitive testing. Compensation is provided. Call 301-435-7926.
The National Institutes of Health seeks volunteers for a variety of studies on premature ovarian failure. Women between 18 and 42 are eligible to participate. Doctors are also currently enrolling overweight children, ages 6-17, in two weight-loss studies. Participation is free. Call 1-800-411-1222.
The Commission on People with Disabilities has 10 vacancies on its panel: three for agencies that provide services to people with disabilities, six for people with disabilities and one for a parent of a person with disabilities. The Commission advises the county executive on programs and services regarding citizens with disabilities. Meetings are held in the evenings on the second Wednesday of each month. Deadline for applications is June 21. Call 240-777-2528 or visit www.co.mo.md.us.
United Cerebral Palsy’s Casual Day will be held on Friday, June 21. Thousands of local workers from participating companies will dress casually in exchange for a suggested $5 minimum donation. This is the 10th year that Casual Day has been celebrated. This year it falls on the first day of summer. To participate, a company should register with the local United Cerebral Palsy office at 301-262-4993 and ask for the Casual Day coordinator. Visit www.ucppgmc.com.
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is currently fighting to end the effects of MS. This spring, the MS Society, Maryland Chapter, is seeking donations of cars, boats, trucks and RVs. Free towing is provided. Call AUTOS-4-MS at 1-877-672-8864.
Corinne Stevens has been named acting director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, effective June 1. She has served as chief of Crisis, Income and Victim Services since 1995. Stevens will replace director Charles L. Short, who retired May 31 to assume a new position with the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington.
Seminars, support groups and classes through Adventist Health Care take place at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, 9901 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, unless noted otherwise. To register and for a complete listing of available classes, call 1-800-542-5096.
* Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon These groups meet every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 202-966-9115.
* Narcotics Anonymous. This group meets every Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
* Healthy Hearts. Cardiac support program is designed to provide inspiration, motivation and education to patients and caregivers following a heart attack or stroke. Group meets on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Call 301-253-1502.
* Heart-to-Heart. A support group for people with heart disease, and their spouses, meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Cardiovascular Fitness Center (9715 Medical Center Drive, No. 130, Rockville).
* Baby-Sitting Classes begin on Sunday, June 16, at 10 a.m. and Saturday, June 22, at 10 a.m. Cost is $30.
* Breast Cancer Support Group. This group meets on Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. Cost is free. Call 301-279-6604 for more information.
* Infant Safety and CPR. This class will be held on Thursday, June 20, at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person and $40 per couple. Advance registration required.
* Home Alone is offered to children 8-11 to prepare them for times when their parents may not be home at all times, on Saturday, June 22, at 2 p.m. Cost is $10.
* First Aid for New Parents & Childcare Providers will teach you how to respond to common medical emergencies and injuries on Monday, June 24, at 7 p.m. Cost is $35. Advance registration required.
* Simplify Your Life will teach you how to create time for the most important things in your life by simplifying the way you live on Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. Cost is $15.
* A Mirror to Your Mind: Understanding Yourself & Your Relationships will begin on Wednesday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. as the first of two classes to learn about your own and others' personality types. Cost is $100.
* Discovering Motherhood is an educational and support program for new moms and their babies. Begins Friday, June 28, at 9:30 a.m. Fee is $60.
The Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) offers support groups for families dealing with a variety of health issues. Meetings are held at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 6125 Montrose Road in Rockville. Call Martha Mervis at 301-990-6880, Ext. 316.
In addition, JSSA, ARC of Montgomery County and the Montgomery County Aging and Disabilities Services are co-sponsoring free monthly seminars for family members caring for children or adults with disabilities. Support Group for Newly Bereaved Spouses meets weekly for spouses bereaved in the past year. Meets on Tuesdays, 9:30-11 a.m. Call Mary Hull Levyne, 301-816-2680.
Support meetings and seminars take place at Suburban Hospital, 8600 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. Call 301-896-3939 to register for all group meetings and for a complete listing.
* Gynecological Cancer. Group meets the first and third Mondays of the month from 4-5:30 p.m. in Conference Room 4. Group is designed for patients and survivors of cancer.
* Breast Cancer. Group meets the second Monday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms 6 and 7. Group is designed for patients, survivors and family members. Guest speakers alternate with informal discussion.
* Caregivers. Group meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Auxiliary House in Bethesda. Practical and emotional support for anyone serving as a caregiver.
* Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers. Group meets the first Thursday of the month from 6:30-9 p.m. in Conference Room 4.
* Eating Disorders. Group meets the second Wednesday of the month from 7-8 p.m. in Conference Room 4.
* Head Injury/Trauma. Group meets the first and third Thursdays of the month from 7-8 p.m. in Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3. For individuals recovering from head injuries, and their families.
* Prostate Cancer. Group meets the third Monday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. in Conference Rooms 6 and 7. Support for patients, family and friends. Guest speakers and informal discussion on alternate days.