Penn State Health News

Cancer Community Mindfulness Practice
2026-05-08 13:00 - 13:30, 2026-05-15 13:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers a cancer community mindfulness practice.
This program is open to everyone – no prior experience or personal mindfulness practice is required. Sessions are offered free of charge and take place every Friday afternoon virtually from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 6). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Click here to join the Zoom meeting. Meeting password is [REDACTED].

Donate Gently Used Books for the United Way Book Sale
2026-05-09, 2026-05-10, 2026-05-11, 2026-05-12, 2026-05-13, 2026-05-14, 2026-05-15, 2026-05-16 and 5 more dates | Room H1233F/H1233G (Dining Room A/B), 500 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Please Donate Gently Used Books for the United Way Book Sale
Book Drop Off Locations
Harrell Library (South Entrance)
COM Ground Floor CG721
100 & 200 Crystal A Lobby
30 Hope Dr, Building B entrance
Donations accepted until 5/29/2026

One Health Event: PSU, Pets, and People
2026-05-09 12:00 - 16:00 | PA
Come see us to receive free preventative screening tests, such as Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar, free of charge. No insurance required.

Grief Services Support Group
2026-05-11 10:30 - 11:30 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers patients a grief therapy support group.
A cancer diagnosis or death of a loved one from cancer can create feelings of loss and grief as well as unwelcomed changes. You may find new demands are made on your time and energy, and it can be difficult to know where or who to turn to for support. Caring for yourself and those around you can be especially difficult.
This support group offers a form of psychotherapy that brings together individuals with shared experiences, such as being diagnosed or treated for cancer, or coping with cancer-related loss. Group members support one another, share coping strategies, and offer meaningful connection during difficult times.
Click here to join the virtual meeting. Meeting passcode is aBE3Sm.
Held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 6). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

SurviveWELL
2026-05-12 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-19 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers patients and loved ones the SurviveWELL program.
What does it mean to be “well”? How might we treat ourselves “well” even when we are ill or having a “bad day”? SurviveWELL – this program, the community of participants, the practices, and the monthly themes – are offered in support of treating ourselves well. Doing so on a regular basis represents important acts of kindness for one’s self in service of self-care.
SurviveWELL consists of weekly one-hour sessions over the course of six months. All sessions are conducted virtually via Zoom, which supports joining wherever participants are able to access the internet. The program strives to support patients in greater health and wellness during the active phase of treatment for cancer and beyond. Each session is facilitated by professional(s) with expertise in wellness coaching, nutrition, yoga, mindfulness and energy work | qigong, respectively. Participants are encouraged to invite a wellness partner to join them for each of the sessions.
SurviveWELL is held every Tuesday from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., offered in 6-month sessions each year: January-June and July-December. Feel welcome to begin or join at any time.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 6). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
SurviveWELL Zoom Meeting Invite:
https://psu.zoom.us/j/93409694519?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 934 0969 4519
Password: [REDACTED]

Mothers Circle
2026-05-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center, 2200 Good Hope Rd, Enola, PA, 17025, United States
All are welcome! Share your journey and connect with other moms and future moms at our weekly support group every Wednesday. Our lactation team will be available to answer your questions and address your concerns regarding any type of feeding. We will be sharing our stories and discussing anything and everything motherhood related.

Interfaith Spring Unity Gathering
2026-05-13 12:15 - 13:00 | Room T2500 – Penn State Cancer Institute, 400 University Dr., Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
The Office of Health Advancement & Community Engagement and Interfaith Business Employee Resource Group are delighted to invite you to a special drop in networking event!
Drop in for a bite and fellowship.
Hershey Medical Center, Golisano Children’s Hospital
T-2500 (HMC Main Entrance, Left of the Info desk, Upstairs)
ALL are Welcome to attend!
Register here

Bereavement Support Group
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center, 2500 Bernville Road, Reading, PA, 19605, United States
The Bereavement Support Group is for anyone experiencing grief due to the death of a loved one. The support group will assist you in understanding how to cope with grief and how to begin turning your mourning into cherished memories of your loved one.
Dates and Topics

May 6 – Telling the Story/Setting the Context
May 13 – About Grief
May 20 – Feelings and Grief
May 27 – Stress and Grief
June 3 – Finding Meaning in Loss
June 10 – Holiday Coping
June 17 – Rituals and Grief

Registration
Please register by calling the Spiritual Care Office, Penn State Health St. Joseph – 610-378-2297, and leave your name and phone number. If you have questions, ask for Sr. Rose Dvorak, staff chaplain.

Write from the Heart with CARE
2026-05-14 14:30 - 16:30 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers Write from the Heart with CARE – an 8-week writing workshop series with virtual sessions lasting two hours on Thursdays from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. This writing workshop series is held each January-February, April-May, July-August, and October-November.
Write from the Heart with CARE is a creative writing workshop for adults with a history of cancer diagnosis, whether in active treatment or beyond. Participants are asked to simply be themselves and explore the ways in which writing, when approached in a light and easy manner, can offer opportunities for reflection, meaning and connection. Sharing is optional. No judgment. No grades. No writing rules.
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 6). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Dates: April 9, 16, 23, 30 | May 7, 14, 21, 28
Meeting Time: 2:30 to 4:30 pm unless otherwise specified (May 28th | 3:30pm-5:30pm)
Zoom Invite: https://psu.zoom.us/j/95690411199?pwd=[REDACTED]
Password: [REDACTED]
Or telephone, dial: +1 312 626 6799 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 956 9041 1199
Password: [REDACTED]

Bone Health Day 2026
2026-05-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Penn State Health Lime Spring Outpatient Center, 2221 Noll Drive, Lancaster, PA, 17603, United States
Penn State Health Lime Spring Outpatient Center
Please join us on Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon for this year’s Bone Health Day. Spend the morning with us as we explore engaging and educational topics on bone health and the impact of osteoporosis.
Experienced medical speakers will discuss osteoporosis, nutrition for bone health, posture improvement, and medical management options. Food and beverages will be provided.
Registrants who have not previously had a DEXA/bone density test will also have the opportunity to receive a free heel bone density screening.
We hope to see you there!
Agenda:
8-9 a.m. – Registration
9 a.m.-noon – Speakers:

Edward J. Fox, MD
Dean Campbell, CRNP
Denise Shenigo, RN
Jessica Najaka, PA-C
Dolores “Lori” Sbarra, PT

Registration is required.
Register Online

Donate life. Donate blood.
2026-05-18 09:00 - 18:00 | Penn State Cancer Institute Lobby, 400 University Drive, Hershey, PA, 17033, United States
Your friends and neighbors need your help. Every day, health care workers race to provide care to accident victims, surgical patients and those needing regular transfusions. That care starts with you and your donation.
Schedule your appointment today
Appointments are strongly recommended to ensure a smooth experience.

Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Sponsor Code: PS Hershey to view available appointments or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
Save time by completing your pre-donation reading and health history online at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass
Please remember to bring a photo ID to your blood drive appointment
Snacks and refreshments are provided

How to prepare for your appointment
View additional dates and times

Loved Ones Support Group
2026-05-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers a Loved Ones Support Group for those supporting someone with cancer.
This support group provides a therapeutic space for adult caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals undergoing cancer treatment. Group members support one another, share coping strategies, and offer meaningful connection during difficult times.
Click here to join the virtual meeting. Meeting passcode is aBE3Sm.
Held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 10:30AM to 11:30AM.
For more information, please contact the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 6). Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Moving Through Cancer With CARE
2026-05-19 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
The Kristen Olewine Milke CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute offers Moving Through Cancer With CARE, a one-hour group-based exercise class for cancer patients and survivors. The class is held virtually (on Zoom) every other Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. Each session begins right where you are in terms of balance, strength, and physical conditioning. Exercise may afford several evidence-based benefits related to fatigue, physical function, anxiety, depression, lymphedema, bone health, and sleep, as well as improve overall quality of life.
On Zoom every other Tuesday: https://psu.zoom.us/j/97093953153?pwd=[REDACTED]
Password: [REDACTED]
For more information or to register for an upcoming session, please call the CARE Center at 1-888-531-6585 (option 6). Alternatively, questions can be emailed to Dawn Shawley, CARE Center Program Manager, at dshawley@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Better Breathers' Club
2026-05-20 13:00 - 14:00 | The Ortenzio Heart Center at Penn State Health Holy Spirit Medical Center, 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill, PA, 17011, United States
This free support group is open to patients with chronic lung diseases, such as COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer, and their family members and caregivers.
Learn ways to better cope with your diagnosis while getting the support of those in similar situations. The support group meetings are led by an American Lung Association trained facilitator.
The support group meets every third Wednesday of the month in the Pulmonary/Cardiac Rehab Gym located on the ground floor of the Ortenzio Heart Center. Free parking in Lot G. Enter through the ground floor entrance to the Heart Center.
For more information, call 717-972-4545 (option 4) or email scannon1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.

Start Date: Wednesday, April 15
Frequency: Ongoing, meeting on the third Wednesday of every month
