<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.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group, a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers, meets Nov. 12, 19, from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Free. For more information, call 703-425-6660.
Flu Shots. Harris Teeter is offering flu shots at all stores for at least one four-hour period through Nov. 8. Flu shots will be available to all Harris Teeter customers for $20 each, $19 with a VIC card or at no charge for those who are Medicare Part B, non-HMO recipients with a card. Licensed nurses will administer the shots. Check with a local store for the schedule. The pneumonia vaccine shots are available for $25. To find out more about the flu shot, visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flue/fluvirus.htm or call the National Immunization Hotline at 1-800-232-2522 (English) or 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish).
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. The next two meetings are Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. For more information, call Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, ext. 3026 or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
The Northern Virginia Respite Care Consortium presents its 17th annual conference: "All Aboard: Transitions through Trying Times with Dementia" on Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at Goodwin House West, 3440 South Jefferson St., Falls Church. Conference topics include: Alzheimer's and aging policies; moving persons with dementia; personal care theories and practices; and medications. Registration fee is $25 for family caregivers; $35 for professionals and paid caregivers, and includes continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. Call toll-free 1-866-259-0042 for more information and/or to register.
La Leche League of Springfield, meets on Friday, Nov. 14, at 10:30 a.m., at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on Old Keene Mill Road. La Leche League provides breastfeeding information and support to expectant and nursing mothers. Meetings are free and babies and children are welcome. Meetings are the second Friday of every month. For more information, call 703-569-2626.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy Burke, a support group for parents of children of all ages diagnosed with seizure Disorders meets Nov. 17, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Braddock Supervisors Office, Meeting Room, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Free. For more information, call 703-425-6660.
"Migraine Headaches and the Association to Seizure Disorders" will be presented by Pavel Klein, M.B., B. Chir., Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy & Sleep Center, on Wednesday, Nov, 19, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., at Falls Church High School, cafeteria, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Free. For more information, call 703-425-6660.
"Give Care, Take Care: A Prescription for Caregivers," presented by Wendy Lustbader, MSW, nationally known speaker, author and expert on elder care, on Friday, Nov. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Springfield Golf and Country Club. The seminar is followed by a buffet lunch. A $10 fee is required for this event but scholarships are available. Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/aaa and click on November is National Family Caregiver's Month to print the flier or call Beth Hershner at 703-324-5425 and TTY: 703- 449-1186.
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.
Girl’s Group. Middle school girls can meet weekly to discuss school, friends and peer issues. Includes two parent meetings. Classes will be Thursdays, times to be announced, at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. Call 703-204-9100. $55 per session. May be insurance-reimbursable.
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, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For class schedule and more information, call Victor Gault at 703-383-5830.
Good Grief Bereavement Group. On Tuesdays through Nov. 18, 7:15-9 p.m., this education, discussion and support group for adults who have lost a loved one to cancer within the past year will teach about grief, common reactions and challenges within a group of people on a similar journey. Facilitated by oncology counselors. Pre-registration is a must. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room B. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Coping with the holidays after the death of a loved one. Come to this presentation to be given support, encouragement and tools for this difficult time. Come on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7:30-9 p.m., for Thanksgiving support, on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:30-9 p.m., for Christmas support, or come to both. The meetings will take place at Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, 703-941-7000. Free. Visit www.havenofnova.org.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets at 2 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month. The next meeting is Nov. 20, at Little River Glen, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For more information, call 703-891-0821.
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, Dec. 6. 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.
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.
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., the other on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
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.
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.
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: Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. For more information, visit www.icanofnova.org/ or call 703-237-6136.
CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, offers a parental support group for parents of children with AD/HD on the third Wednesday of every month. Next meeting: Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Contact Jennifer McClung at jen1187@comcast.net for more information. For other groups and meeting sites, visit www.novachadd.org.
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.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month, at 1 p.m., at Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. For more information, call the Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, ext. 3026.
Teens' Educational Support Program. A new eight-week program for teenagers 13-18 is forming for Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Through discussion and activities, participants can express themselves and understand the changes that come when someone in the family has cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B. Call 703-208-5623 for upcoming schedule.
Good Grief for Teens. For those 13-18 years old, group activities and art therapy will help teenagers share thoughts and feelings about loss and help with the grief process. On Mondays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Call for upcoming group schedule. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
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.
Teens' Educational Support Program. Wednesdays, at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call for time; group forming. Eight-week group for teens ages 13-18 who have cancer. Registration is required. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekly on Wednesdays, at 10 a.m., at Little River Glen, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For more information, call Victor Gault at 703-383-5830.
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.