Mutual support groups whose members are people who have experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; are open to anyone who has had a loss rather than structured for people with particular types of losses; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, move through the bereavement process and put their lives back together.

Mutual support groups whose members are husbands, wives or other individuals who have experienced the loss of their marriage partner or significant other. Groups may also be structured for the surviving spouses of people in law enforcement, the military or other specific high-risk professions. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, and move through the bereavement process. The groups also help members put their lives back together by providing practical information about legal issues, financial arrangements and other responsibilities of daily living.

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have a disability, illness or other health condition, their families and friends. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and provide an opportunity for participants to share information, resources, practical tips for daily living and encouragement about issues related to the disability or health problem.

Any of a broad group of malignant neoplasms which are either carcinomas which have their origin in epithelial tissues or sarcomas which develop from connective tissues and those structures which had their origin in mesodermal tissues (the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic and urogenital systems and the linings of body cavities). Cancer is invasive and tends to metastasize to new sites spreading directly into surrounding tissues or through the lymphatic or circulatory systems.

A disorder in which the pancreas produces too little insulin with the result that the body is unable to adequately metabolize sugar. Principal symptoms are elevated blood sugar, sugar in the urine, excessive urine production and increased food intake. Complications of diabetes if left untreated include low resistance to infections leading to a susceptibility to gangrene, cardiovascular and kidney disorders, disturbances in the electrolyte balance and eye disorders, some of which may lead to blindness.

Any of a number of pathological conditions that affect the heart and the blood vessels of the heart.

A sudden loss of consciousness followed by paralysis which is caused by hemorrhage into the brain, formulation of a blood clot or mass of undissolved matter in the blood that occludes an artery, or rupture of an extracerebral artery causing hemorrhaging in the membranes which enclose the brain and spinal cord.

Women whose husbands or partners have died and whose patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by the loss.

The parents, children, spouses, partners, friends or other relatives or significant others of people who have cancer, whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by concern about the individual.