<lst>The Mind & Body Workshop, a therapeutic program aimed at helping people improve and maintain memory and cognitive function, is beginning its spring session on March 6. The session runs every first and third Wednesday through May 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Alzheimer’s Family Day Center, 2036 Westmoreland St., Falls Church. Call Lin Noyes, Clinical Director, at 703-532-8899 for fees, information, and registration.
Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several free, ongoing support groups. Call 703-941-7000 for more information.
* General Bereavement Group, for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. Next meeting: March 6, 7:30-9 p.m.;
* Spousal Bereavement Group, for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. Two groups–1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, next meeting, March 7, 2-3:30 p.m.; and 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month, next meeting, March 12, 7:30-9 p.m.
* Suicide Survivors Bereavement Group, for anyone grieving the lost of a loved one to suicide. Meets the 1st Tuesday of each month. Next meeting: March 5, 7:30-9 p.m.
The Virginia Department of Health recommends three different types of safety seats before safety belts:
1. Rear-facing infant seat: for infants through at least 1 year old and at least 20 pounds. Not to be used in the front seat of a vehicle with a passenger air bag.
2. Forward-facing child safety seat: for children from age 1 to approximately 4 who weigh 20 to 40 pounds.
3. Booster seat: for children who have outgrown forward-facing safety seats (approximately age 4 through at least age 8 or over 4 feet, 9 inches tall).
4. Seat belts: for children at least 8 years old or over 4 feet 9 inches tall. Children under 12 should ride in the vehicle’s rear seat, which test studies have found is safer.
The state health department’s Center for Injury and Violence Prevention offers the following tips for choosing safety seats:
* Fit the Child. Buy a seat appropriate for weight, height and age of the child. Each make and model has minimum and maximum limits.
* Fit the Vehicle. Vehicle and safety seat incompatibility is a major factor in childhood injury. Try several models to determine the best fit for the vehicle. The seat should fit snuggly with no more than an inch of movement from left to right.
* Fit the Lifestyle. Choose a seat that fits your lifestyle and physical ability so you can use it properly every time. Read the instructions carefully and take the time to install and use the seat correctly every time your child goes for a ride.
Call 1-800-732-8333 or visit www.vahealth.org/civp for more information on child passenger safety.
Give a gift from your heart,. .give blood. Inova Blood Donor Services is sponsoring the following community blood drives.
In Fairfax County:
* Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2-6 p.m.; Capital Baptist Church, 3425 Aston St., Annandale; 703-560-3109, ext. 10;
* Saturday, Feb. 23, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; St. John’s Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean; 703-356-0028;
* Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2:30-7:30 p.m.; Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Regional Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria.
In Loudoun County:
* Sunday, Feb. 24, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 37730 St. Francis Court, Purcellville; 540-338-9239;
* Monday, Feb. 25, 1:30-7:30 p.m.; Eastern Loudoun Regional Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Sterling.
Unless otherwise indicated above, call 1-866-BLOODSAVES for an appointment time. Walk-ins are welcomed, but donors with appointments are given priority.
To help alleviate the Type A blood shortage, Inova Blood Donor Services is also sponsoring an “Aim for the Heart Sweetheart Party,” Thursday, Feb. 14, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. at the CentreMed and Woodburn Donor Centers. Donors will receive a flower and a lovable stuffed animal. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES.
The Northern Virginia Family Service is offering its anger management program for teens, “Equipping Teens with Skills for Life.” Designed for adolescents ages 15-18 facing chronic disciplinary problems as result of poor impulse control and behavior that is, or may become, harmful to themselves and others, the program is based on a group therapy approach that integrates anger management with other goals such as decision-making skills, conflict resolution and having positive social interactions. Orientation is Feb. 27 and group sessions (a total of 8) begin in March. A sliding fee scale is available for those who qualify, with a top fee of $25 per hour. Call Beth Springs at 703-533-2562 for more information or to register.
Beginning Thursday, Feb. 28, Haven of Northern Virginia will offer a free, six-week support group for suicide survivors. The group is open to anyone who has had a loved one die by suicide and will meet from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at 4606 Ravensworth Road in Annandale. Call 703-941-7000.
Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several free, ongoing support groups. Call 703-941-7000 for more information.
* General Bereavement Group, for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Next meeting: Feb. 20, 7:30-9 p.m.;
* Spousal Bereavement Group, for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. Two groups — first and third Thursdays of each month, next meeting, Feb. 21, 2-3:30 p.m.; and second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, next meeting, Feb. 26, 7:30-9 p.m.
* Suicide Survivors Bereavement Group, for anyone grieving the lost of a loved one to suicide. Meets the first Tuesday of each month. Next meeting: March 5, 7:30-9 p.m.
A six-week coping program held for divorced, separated or widowed persons begins Saturday Feb. 24 between 6-8 p.m. Also starting Saturday Feb. 24 is a nine-week program for Rebuilding following the end of marriage. Rebuilding class runs from 5:30-8 p.m. Coping and rebuilding programs are presented by Coping/Rebuilding of Northern Virginia 120 W. Greenway Blvd. Falls Church.
*Cost for coping program is $3 a session. For more information call Gerri Ellenberger 703-670-4845 or David Bobek 703-729-1945.
*Cost for rebuilding program is $41 program fee and includes text. For more information call Fran Patchett 703-426-5774 or Janet Smith 703-753-0495.
Talk-therapist Sherry Showalter will give a seminar for cancer survivors titled "Coping with Guilt." The talk will be held Feb. 21 7:15-9 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center 2832 Juniper St. Merrifield. To register call 703-698-2841.
"Live Longer, Live Larger: A Holistic Approach for Cancer Patients and Families", a handbook based on more than 20 years of its authors' clinical experience, will be discussed Feb. 22, 10-11 a.m. at Borders Books and Music Bailey's Crossroads.
Counselor and certified poetry therapist Georgia Robertson will lecture at the cancer support group. Robertson's talk will focus on the use of discussion and writing to cope with the feelings surrounding living with cancer. The talk will be held Feb. 25 from 7:15-8:45 p.m. at the Life With Cancer Family Center 2832 Juniper St. Merrifield. To register call 703-698-2841.
Financial experts, including a CPA, a health insurance specialist and an estate attorney, will help participants plan for the money difficulties surrounding cancer treatment. The panel will meet Feb. 28, 7-9 p.m. at Inova Alexandria Hospital, Health Education Center, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria.
Head & neck cancer support group for patients and families meets second Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7 p.m. in Radiation Oncology Room, Inova Fairfax Women's Center, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use blue parking garage.
Nurse Educator Jean Bronson-Conway discusses will speak to a lung cancer support group on well-being in lung cancer patients and chemotherapy affects. Meeting will be Feb. 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield. To register call 703-698-2841.
Support group for women with breast cancer or in breast cancer recovery meets Feb. 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria. For information call 703-504-7921.
Therapist assisted lymphedema education and support group meets Feb. 27 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Merrifield. To register call 703-698-2841.
Dietitian Deb Rowland will talk on good nutrition during cancer treatment and remission on Feb. 28 from 1 -2 p.m. at Inova Alexandria Health Education Center, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria.
Eight week cancer support group for children 5-12 meets Wednesdays Feb. 20 through April 10 from 5:15-6:15 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield. Discussions will focus on education and emotional management. To register call 703-698-2841.
Eight-week cancer support group for teens (age 13-17) meets Wednesdays Feb. 20 through April 10 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield. Discussions will focus on education and emotional management. To register call 703-698-2841.
Support group meets the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Centreville United Methodist Church, 6400 Centreville Road. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and caregiving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit. Call the Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area before attending for verification of times and locations. Call toll free: 866-259-0042.
An Eating Disorders Support Group for family and friends will be held at Centreville High School's faculty dining room on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. Free. The group will deal with coping with stress, sharing experiences and focus topics. Call Beryl Dandridge at 703-904-1876 or Maggie Cissel at 703-335-6324 for directions.
The Naomi Project, a program providing high risk pregnant women with help in becoming a good mother, needs volunteer mentors. Only an hour a week, fit to the volunteer’s schedule and the client’s availability, is required. Spring training begins March 14. For information call Program Coordinator Peggy Ferguson at 703-860-2633. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed.
The American Cancer Society’s Mid-Atlantic Division hosts its 24th annual “Daffodil Days.” Money raised by sales of daffodils (known as the flower of hope) will go to aid the Cancer Society’s programs of research, public education and patient services. Fresh cut daffodils will be $6 .
Shoplifter’s Anonymous offers a new 12-step meeting program for those who wish to stop compulsive shoplifting. The group meets every Thursday 7-8 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road. Call Sue at 703-759-0396 or Carol at 703-764-0347 to confirm the meeting date.
The Northern Virginia Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome / Dysautonomia and Delayed Orthostatic Intolerance Support Group has moved its meeting site to Centreville. It meets the second Tuesday of every month from noon to 2 p.m. at a residence at 14404 Brookmere Drive, Centreville (Sully Station). The group, which formerly met at the Reston Hospital Medical Plaza, is facilitated by Eleanor Brosius. Call 703-968-9818 or e-mail EleanorBB@aol.com.
Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome does not deal with the heart valve condition known as mitral valve prolapse, but with an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system that can cause a myriad of symptoms, from very mild to severely disabling. Some common symptoms are feeling too hot or too cold or both, phantom chest pain, rapid heart beat or pounding heart beats, lightheadedness, heat intolerance, alcohol intolerance, anxiety or depression or both, and difficulty standing in lines.
Currently the local group has more than 200 members, but meeting size is usually less than 10 unless a speaker is invited. The group is predominantly women, but MVPS/D occurs in men and children as well. Treatments include medications, diet changes, lifestyle adjustments, nutritional supplements and fluid management. For more information:
* www.ndrf.org (National Dysautonomia Research Foundation, 1-651-267-0525)
* www.mitralvalveprolapse.com (The Society for MVP Syndrome, 1-630-250-9327)
* www.mitral.com (Florida Institute For Cardiovascular Care, 1-877-964-3278).
Children’s Services of Virginia, Inc. is seeking foster parents in the area. Call 703-331-0075 or visit www.childrensservicesofva.com for more information.