Cancer

WILLMAR — A virtual cancer support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the fourth Monday of the month, June 28. It is open to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer — any stage, any age — and focuses on building connections and friendships. It is facilitated by Carris Health Cancer Center care coordinators, along with a cancer survivor and his support system. Knowing everybody has at least one thing in common to tie you together — cancer — can make it easier to open up, share, cry and laugh. Facilitators will make sure nobody is forced to share more than they wish. Free. Register at CarrisHealth.com/classes-events .

Aging Wisely

WILLMAR — Aging Wisely: Finding New Confidence and Purpose will meet at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1, at the Willmar Community Center. The program is part of a series to help support the educational, social and nutritional needs of older adults. Jane Schleusner, pianist, will present “Name that Tune,” share her old sheet music, and lead a patriotic sing-along. For more information and to make a reservation, call Evy at 320-894-9439 by 4 p.m. June 30.

Breast cancer

WILLMAR — The virtual breast cancer peer support group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. the first Monday of the month, July 5. The group is for women of any age who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is facilitated by one of Carris Health Cancer Center’s care coordinators. Knowing everybody has at least one thing in common to tie you together — cancer — can make it easier to open up, share, cry and laugh. Facilitators will make sure nobody is forced to share more than they wish. Free. Register at CarrisHealth.com/classes-events .

Senior services

The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy, information, resources and assistance so that older adults can maintain the lifestyle of their choice. To learn more about this and other presentations and trainings the agency has to offer, visit mnraaa.org/calendar .

Live chat with a specialist also can be accessed online at www.MinnesotaHelp.info .

Long-Term Care: July 7, 9 a.m., virtual presentation on planning and paying for your long-term care by staff from the Senior LinkAge Line. Sign up at bit.ly/3uBf5up or call 1-800-333-2433 ; space is limited.

Senior LinkAge Line: A free service of the Minnesota Board on Aging, the Senior LinkAge Line is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Senior Medicare Patrol for Minnesota. Older adults can contact the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays to receive help with questions involving Medicare and health insurance, help finding services to stay in one's home or help to afford medication. Be sure to have a complete list of prescription drugs and dosages.

Coffee Talk, a statewide phone chat line for older adults, is open from 8 a.m. to noon weekdays. Call toll-free at 877-238-2282 . It is staffed by volunteers who understand the older adult population’s needs and challenges and is dedicated to easing loneliness and social isolation among older adults. Volunteers can offer words of encouragement and understanding and provide information about support and resources available in the person’s community. Calls are free. The caller’s privacy is a priority, and the only information requested will be first name. Users of the line may call as often as they would like.

Willmar Meals on Wheels: Hot Meals on Wheels are delivered on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A frozen meal is available for the following day or the weekend. The meals are available for persons who are unable to cook for themselves due to their age, disability, illness or recent release from the hospital. Along with the regular meal, three special diet meals are available. The cost is $6.81 and includes all the side dishes (including dessert) and either milk or juice.

Order by 1 p.m. the weekday before the delivery day by calling 320-235-5310 , ext. 219, or 320-894-7401 . The menu is available on West Central Industries website, www.wcimn.org under Business Solutions.

Willmar Senior Dining: The meals are served at 11:30 a.m. weekdays and are also available for curbside pickup at the Community Center. The meals are open to those who are 60 years of age and older. Suggested donation of $5 a meal, call 320-262-5288 by noon the day before and leave a message. The menu is available on the city of Willmar website www.willmarmn.gov under Community Center.

Bloodmobile

The American Red Cross conducts blood drives in the west central area. To give blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. You can give blood every 56 days. Double red cells can be donated every 112 days. While all blood types are needed, type O and type B-negative donors are especially encouraged to give.

Appointments can be made at 1-800-RED-CROSS or online at www.redcrossblood.org . All donors need acceptable identification. The preferred form is a government-issued picture identification, such as a driver’s license, or a Red Cross blood donor card. Otherwise you will need to provide two other forms of identification, such as a work identification, Social Security card, personal check or credit card. Personalized mail such as a utility bill will not be accepted.

Blood drives scheduled for the Tribune area that still had appointments available as of deadline are:

June 23, Clara City: 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Community Center

June 24, Litchfield: 1 to 7 p.m., St. Phillips Church

June 25, Litchfield: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Christian Church of Litchfield

June 29, Willmar: 1 to 7 p.m., Eagle Lake Lutheran Church

June 30, Paynesville: Noon to 6 p.m., American Legion

July 7, Prinsburg: 1 to 7 p.m. United Christian Reformed Church

July 8, Sunburg: 1 to 7 p.m., Hope Lutheran Church

July 9, New London: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., New London-Spicer High School

July 9, Glenwood: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Legion Central Square