RUMFORD – The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing will present “Qigong for Optimal Health: A Workshop for Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, in Room 357 at Rumford Hospital.

Qigong is an ancient Asian exercise that focuses on breathing. It is used for gentle exercise to circulate energy through the body, reduce stress and stimulate the body’s major meridians.

The benefits of qigong for cancer patients are being studied in clinical trials at several major cancer centers.

The speaker for the lecture-demonstration program will be Betsey Foster, who has studied with tai chi chuan and qigong masters in the United States and Canada since 1988. She studies with Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming from Boston and has completed his qigong training program.

Foster teaches at hospitals and health centers in western and central Maine, including CMMC.

She also writes and lectures on the health benefits and medical research regarding tai chi chuan and qigong. She holds a master’s degree in public health from Boston University School of Medicine.

The program is free and no preregistration is required. Anyone with questions should call 795-8250 or 1-877-DEMPCTR.