<lst>Inova Blood Donor Services is in critical need of all blood types and of blood platelets. Donating blood now will ensure that supplies will be plentiful during the summer months, a time when supplies decrease and need increases. 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.
Nutrition Classes, on Thursdays, June 12, 19, 26 from 7-8 p.m. Come see how hypnosis can help in losing weight easily and permanently. Informative classes help those who want to lose weight without dieting or pills. $15. Register with Hypnosis - Fairfax, 4244 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. 703-352-5042 or e-mail hypnosis11@hmp.net.
Relaxation and Imagery Techniques. Fridays, June 13, 20 and 27, and July 11 and 18, 1-2:30 p.m. Learn to take advantage of the mind-body connection by participating in this six-week experiential series of relaxation and imagery techniques proven effective in enhancing quality of life, symptom and stress management and promoting insight. Registration necessary. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Leukemia Support Group. Inova Fairfax Chaplain Phil Brooks will be talking about the role of spirituality in coping with cancer in a presentation titled "12 Steps to Spirituality." The presentation will take place on June 12, 7:15-9 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield. To register for this free program, call The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 703-960-1100 Ext. 231, or e-mail singers@dc-ca.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
Expressing through Art: Using Watercolors. Thursdays, June 12, 19 and 26, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Art instructor Barbara Ottke will guide participants in the basics of using watercolor paints. All materials provided. Artistic ability not necessary. Registration required due to limited space and supplies. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., suite 203, room B. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Animal-assisted care program. A course to help pet owners become certified with their pets as an animal-assisted therapy team will take place on June 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pet owners must be available to volunteer for at least four hours per week. Animals must be well-mannered in public and with other animals, including dogs, cats and rabbits. Please do not bring pets to this class. For more information, call Inova Fairfax Hospital Rehabilitation Center at 703-204-6080.
Hypnosis Screening. Mondays June 16, 23, 30; and Wednesdays, June 18, 25 from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Made a resolution to lose weight or stop smoking? Come to a hypnosis screening and find out if hypnosis can help. Hypnosis video included. Free. Register with Positive Changes, 4244 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. 703-352-5042.
Tai Chi Chih. Monday, June 16, 5:45-7 p.m. Funsun Dogu will teach the Western version of traditional Eastern exercises, combining gentle movements with relaxation techniques in order to enhance well-being, improve balance and reduce stress. Registration appreciated. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Nutrition 101. Learn to boost nutrition and total health at a free workshop on Tuesday, June 17, at 7 p.m., at the Twinbrooke Chiropractic Family Health Center, Twinbrooke Shopping Center, 9567 Braddock Road, Fairfax. Reserve seats by calling 703-425-0048.
Young Adults with Cancer. Tuesday, June 17, 7:30-9 p.m. Meets others aged 18 to 30-something to discuss issues such as sexuality, dating, body image, work and health insurance concerns, side effects, fears of recurrence and sustaining a normal lifestyle. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., suite 203, room A. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Multiple Myeloma. Tuesday, June 17, 11:45-1:15 p.m. Monthly discussion group for parents and families to share the experiences, emotions and challenges of living with multiple myeloma. Co-sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Breast Cancer Group. Wednesdays, through June 18, 5:30-7 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. A semi-monthly support group for women living with early-stage breast cancer. At the Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Center, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use the Blue parking garage.
Caregivers meeting. Wednesdays, June 18 and 25, 7- 8:30 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern, including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer and its treatment. Use the Blue parking garage.
Children's Educational Support Program. Wednesdays, through June 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Discussion and activities for children, 5-12 years old. Participants find ways to manage the emotions and changes that come when someone in the family has cancer.
Improving the Chemotherapy Experience. Wednesday, June 18, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mary Ellen McFadden, RN, MA, OCN, a clinical support specialist with Amgen, will tell how the physical and psychological experience of chemotherapy can be improved. Overview of cancer, management of side effects, ideas for communicating with health care teams. Program and lunch provided by Amgen. Registration required by Monday, June 16. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lung Cancer Group. Update on lung cancer and its treatments. Wednesday, June 18, 5:30-7 p.m. Medical oncologist Raymond Cuevo will address patients, family members and friends at a special session of the monthly group. Light refreshments. Registration appreciated. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Teen's Educational Support Program. Wednesdays, through June 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Discussion and activities for teens, 13-18 years old. Participants find ways to manage the emotions and changes that come when someone in the family has cancer.
ICAN of Northern Virginia (International Cesarean Awareness Network) will meet on the following dates at 7 p.m., at Inova HealthSource, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax: June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. For more information, visit www.icanofnova.org/ or call 703-237-6136.
"The Effects of AEDs on the Unborn Child" will be presented by Kimford J. Meador, M.D., at a Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, in the cafeteria. Call 703-425-6660 for more information. Sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group will meet on Thursday, June 19, 2 p.m., at Little River Glen, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For more information, call 703-891-0821.
Seminars for Survivors. Identification and treatment of depression in cancer. On Thursday, June 19, 7:15-9 p.m., Psychiatrist Alexander Isaac will help patients and family members recognize signs of depression, distinguish it from sadness and grief and learn about various treatment approaches. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Colo-rectal Cancer Group. Thursday, June 19, 4:30-6 p.m. Meet others affected by colo-rectal cancer to learn from each other, addressing the issues, concerns and experiences of patients and survivors, caregivers and friends. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Carcinoid Cancer Group. Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Opportunity for those with carcinoid cancer and their adult family members to meet other with the same diagnosis and share experiences and information. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Music and Pain Management. Monday, June 23, 7:15-8:45 p.m. Music therapist Sheila Egan will show how to use preferred music, along with visualization and relaxation techniques, to manage pain. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Advanced Relaxation and Imagery Techniques. Monday, June 23, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Practice techniques learned in previous relaxation classes. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
"Family Coping Skills and the Effect of Children with Seizure Disorders" will be presented by Sandra Weinstein, M.D., RPT, LCSW, senior pediatric psychologist, on Monday, June 23, 7-8 p.m., in the meeting room at the Braddock Supervisors' Office.
Nutrition for Patients. Tuesday, June 24, 10-11:30 a.m. Julie Thorsen, R.D., clinical dietitian with the Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Patient Nutrition Support program, will provide an overview on optimum nutrition during and after cancer treatment. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. Wednesday, June 25, 7:30-8:30 p.m. A nutritionist will address issues of those with hereditary or secondary lymphedema resulting from surgery, radiation or trauma to the lymphatic system. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
The Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group, a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers, will meet on Wednesday, June 25, 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, room 100. Call 703-425-6660 for more information.
La Leche League of Burke. The next meeting will be Saturday, July 5. Meetings take place at 9:30 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at the Burke Presbyterian Church, on Oak Leather Drive off of Burke Center Parkway. 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 "The Art of Breastfeeding and Avoiding Difficulties," 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.
La Leche League of Fairfax City will meet on July 9. The topic is "The Art of Breastfeeding and Avoiding Difficulties." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. The 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 703-471-7762 or 703-385-0527.