Blood drives are held at the South County Donor Center in Narragansett on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

THE JOURNAL / FRIEDA SQUIRES

Blood drives: The Rhode Island Blood Center conducts blood drives at the South County Donor Center, 14 Woodruff Ave., Narragansett, each Monday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Blood pressure clinics: The Visiting Nurse Services of Newport and Bristol Counties conducts free blood pressure clinics the first Thursday of the month, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the Jamestown Library, 26 North Rd., Jamestown. For information, call 423-7280.

Mental health support: The South County affiliate of the National Alliance for Mental Illness sponsors a support group for friends and family members of people with mental illness the second Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Beechwood House Senior Center, 10 Beach St., North Kingstown. For information, call Kathy Carland at 789-1247.

MS patient support: A support group for people with multiple sclerosis meets the last Monday of each month, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Hopkinton Police Station, 406 Woodville Rd., Hopkinton. For information, call Rhonda O’Donnell at 491-9270.

Arthritis program: Westerly Hospital, on Wells Street in Westerly, is conducting a free arthritis education program meeting Aug. 19, Oct. 21 and Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. For information, call 348-3346.

The hospital also offers a series of free support groups that address a number of topics including bereavement, breastfeeding, fibromyalgia, prostate cancer, scoliosis, families with special needs children, and stroke survivors and caregivers. Information on any of these groups is available at www.westerlyhospital.org, or by calling 348-3423South County Hospital, 100 Kenyon Ave., Wakefield, sponsors a variety of support groups addressing such issues as pregnancy loss, diabetes, breastfeeding and more. For information, call 782-8000.

Cancer support: Westerly Hospital sponsors a free cancer support group meeting the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m., at the office of Drs. Robert Legare and Robert Knisley, 11 Wells St., Suite 5, Westerly. For information, call 348-3423.

South County Hospital host a support group offering support to cancer patients and their families meeting the first Wednesday of the month, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. For information, call 788-1294.

Fibromyalgia support group: The Arthritis Foundation sponsors a support group for people with fibromyalgia the first Friday of the month, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., at All That Matters, 315 Main St., Wakefield. For information, call 739-3773.

Pet loss support: A group providing a forum for adults are dealing with the loss of a pet, caring for an aging pet and facing the possibility of euthanasia, and handling children’s reactions to the loss of a pet, meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Meadows Professional Office Park, Suite E205, 1130 Ten Rod Rd., North Kingstown.

Facilitator Beth Voso is a licensed, independent clinical social worker. For information, call the Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island at 792-2233.

The pet loss group “Brina’s Friends” meets the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Westerly Health Center, on Upper High Street, Westerly. For information, call 596-5241.

Hospice support groups: Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island conducts a support group for caregivers of people with life-threatening illnesses, meeting the first and third Tuesday of the month, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., at Westerly Hospital, 25 Wells St., Westerly. For information or to register, call 727-7070 or 789-5200.