LEWISTON — The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing at Central Maine Medical Center will offer a free workshop for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers titled “The Language of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress.” The session will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 12 High St., conference room I.

Participants will explore what it means to be a comforting presence and learn what to say and do for people in distress. Experienced grief and loss counselor Val Walker will lead the discussion. Walker is the author of “The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for People in Distress,” due for release this fall.

Preregistration is available by calling the Dempsey Center at 795-8250, toll-free at 877-336-7287 or online at www.dempseycenter.org.