<lst>Inova Blood Donor Services is in critical need of all blood types and of blood platelets. With more traffic accidents on busy highways, the only Level 1 trauma center in Northern Virginia, Inova Fairfax Hospital, will be needing more blood. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Each facility has morning and evening hours. Must be 17 or older and weigh 100 pounds or more. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES or log onto www.inova.org/donateblood to schedule an appointment.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekly every Thursday, except Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, at 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building (classroom), Springfield. The instructor is Monica Phillips. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and care partners. Fee. For a class schedule and more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several ongoing free bereavement support groups.
A general bereavement support group for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, 7:30-9 p.m. The next meetings of the group are Jan. 7 and Jan. 21.
A widow/widower bereavement support group for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. One group meets the first and third Thursday of each month, 2-3:30 p.m., with the next meeting on Jan. 15. An evening gropu meets on the second and fourth Tuesday each month, from 7:30-9 p.m. The next meetings of the evening group are Jan. 13 and Jan. 27.
A suicide survivors bereavement support group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide meets the first Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9 p.m. The next meeting is Jan. 6.
An early mother loss bereavement support group for anyone who lost a mother before the age of 21 meets the third Tuesday each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org for more information.
Good Grief for Children 5-12 years old. Mondays, through Jan. 29, 5-6 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, Suite 203, Room B, 2832 Juniper St., in the Merrifield area. This is the continuation of an eight-week series utilizing group activities and art therapy through which children can share thoughts and feelings to help with the grief process. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Children's Educational Support Program. Wednesdays, through Jan. 21, 5:15-6:15 p.m. This continuation of an eight-week discussion and activity group for children ages 5-12 helps participants learn about cancer and find ways to manage the emotions and changes that come when someone in the family has cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, Suite 203, Room B, 2832 Juniper St., in the Merrifield area. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Hypnosis for Weight Loss. Dec. 29, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Eating too much over the holidays? Hypnosis can teach new behavioral techniques to lose weight. Come for a free screening. It’s easy, safe and fun. Register with Hypnosis-Fairfax, 4244 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. 703-352-5042.
La Leche League of Fairfax City hosts its next meeting on Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. The topic is "The Advantages of Breastfeeding to Mother and Baby." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Meeting location is Fairfax Christian Church, 10185 Main St., east of old Town Fairfax. Free. For more information or questions, call a La Leche League Leader at 703-280-0986 or 703-255-6808 or e-mail at FairfaxCityLLL@yahoo.com.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekday mornings at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. Instructor: Anne Martin. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. No charge. For class schedule and more information, call the Senior Center at 703-503-8703.
Social Skills/Therapy Group. In small groups, children who have difficulty in social situations because of ADHD or other challenges learn appropriate social behaviors such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Classes are $55-$65 a session and may be insurance-reimbursable. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group, a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers, meets Wednesday, Jan. 7. Dr. Don King speaks to the group from 6-7 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. For more information, call 703-425-6660. Sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation.
Girl’s Group. Middle school girls can meet weekly to discuss school, family and peer issues. Classes will be Thursdays, beginning Jan. 8, 5-6 p.m., at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. Call 703-204-9100. $55 per session. May be insurance-reimbursable.
United Ostomy Association Inc., Northern Virginia Chapter meets Sunday, Jan. 11, at INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, Conference rooms D-E-F, above Skylight Cafe. Refreshments begin 1:30 p.m.; meeting and program, 2-3:30 p.m. January is UOA/NVC's annual VideoFest. Interesting, informative, humorous, uplifting videos. Possible video features: psychologist Loretta LaRoche; healing power of prayer; ostomy management. No admission fee; parking in Blue garage. For more information, call UOA/NVC at 703-802-3457.
The Friendship Group for boys and girls 9 to 11 meets Wednesdays, Jan. 13-March 30, from 5:15-6:05 p.m., at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. Call 703-204-9100 to register.
"How to Make and Keep Friends." Boys in grades 3 and 4 with Asperger's Syndrome/PPD, can meet Tuesdays, Jan. 13-March 30, from 5:15-6:05 p.m., at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. Call 703-204-9100.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the third Thursday of the month, at 2 p.m., at the Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. Next meeting is Jan. 15. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. No charge. For more information, call Leon at 202-966-4450.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, at 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Springfield. Next meeting is Jan. 22. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and care partners. No charge. For more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
"Controlling Chaos: Learning to Live with ADHD." Girls ages 13 to 15 with ADHD can meet Mondays, Feb. 2-March 29, 5-6 p.m., at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. For more information, call Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, ext. 3026 or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
Divorce/Separation Group. Middle school boys and girls meet weekly to discuss issues related to their parents’ separation/divorce. One meeting for parents. Thursdays; time and date to be announced. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekly at 10 a.m., at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For class schedule and more information, call the Senior Center at 703-503-8703.
La Leche League of Burke meets on the first Saturday of each month, at 9:30 a.m., at Burke Presbyterian Church on Oak Leather Drive off of Burke Center Parkway. The next meeting will be Saturday, Jan. 3. The breastfeeding support group offers help and support to mothers who are currently breastfeeding a child or anyone who plans to breastfeed. Expectant and new mothers are encouraged to attend. The topic will be "Nutrition and Weaning: What Else Do We Feed Them?" but all questions and concerns will be addressed. The meeting is free and babies are welcome. For additional information, contact Leslie at 703-256-2754 or Marisa at 703-323-7301.
Young Widowhood Support Group, a support group for persons under the age of 50 who have been widowed two years or less, meets the second and fourth Monday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m., at The Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 101, W., Falls Church. It is an open group with an open agenda each meeting. Persons can join any time throughout the year, but it is important to register. Free of charge/free parking. R.S.V.P. to Lisa Colaianni or Maureen Balderston at 703-641-0100.
TLC: Teens Living with Cancer. Monthly social activities for 13 to 18-year-olds who have cancer give them a chance to meet others with cancer, share a little have fun. Call 703-208-5623 for details. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy-Burke is a support group for parents of children of all ages diagnosed with seizure disorders. It meets the fourth Monday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Braddock Supervisors Office, Meeting Room, 9002 Burke Lake Road. The next meeting is Sept. 22. Free of charge, for additional information, call 703-425-6660.
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group. Meets the third Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m., at Manor Care of Fair Oaks, 12475 Lee Jackson Highway. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and care giving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit. Call Anita Newsome, group leader, at 703- 352-7172 prior to attending for the first time.