<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.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Team For Life will be participating in the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 26 in order to raise money to help fund cystic fibrosis research. Those interested in running in a marathon can be a part of the Team For Life. Jay Wind, a Marine Corps Marathon age-group champion, will coach Team For Life through weekly group training runs and daily communication via discussion groups, e-mail and telephone. The training program begins in June and continues until race day. Runs will take place at various area trails and tracks in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. There will also be tips on fund-raising to aid participants in raising the minimum of $1,700 for cystic fibrosis research. For more information, contact Jill Kaminsky, Director of Special Events, at 301-657-8444 or jkaminsky@cff.org.
Treatments for Adult Leukemias: What's New, What's Next. On Thursday, Sept. 11, 7:15 to 9 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Dr. Ivan Aksentijevich from Fairfax-Northern Virginia oncology, PC will discuss new treatments for leukemia (CML, AML and CLL). To register, contact the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 703-960-1100 Ext. 231 or singers@dc-cap.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
Gentle Yoga. On Mondays, Sept. 15, 22 and 29, 6:45-8:15 p.m., explore the benefits of gentle yoga movements and meditation with Hatha Yoga instructor Ishwari Leifert. Dress comfortably and bring a mat or a blanket. Space limited; registration necessary by Sept. 12. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Multiple Myeloma. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Alice Beers, RN, will provide an overview of the role of Velcade in treating MM, reviewing the clinical trials and the clinical experience. Speaker and light refreshments sponsored by Millennium. Registration requested by Sept. 14. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Young Adults with Cancer. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, 7:30-9 p.m.. meet with others, 18 to 30-something, to discuss issues such as sexuality, dating body images, work and health insurance concerns, treatment side effects, fears of recurrence and sustaining a normal lifestyle. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room A. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Lung Cancer Group. On Wednesday, Sept. 17, 5:30-7 p.m., join fellow lung cancer patients and family members to discuss the challenges of living with lung cancer and its treatments. Facilitated by an oncology counselor. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Caregivers Meeting. On Wednesdays, Sept. 17 and 24, 7-8:30 p.m., family members can meet to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer, its treatment and more. Use Blue parking garage. At Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Breast Cancer Group. Wednesday, Sept. 17, 5:30-7 p.m. This semi-monthly support group is for women living with early-stage breast cancer. Use Blue parking garage. At Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Free Wellness Screening. Wednesday, Spet. 17, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., at Quantum Healing Center, 4244 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. Release disease at the root cause, and help make permanent changes in health. Call 703-937-3992 for a free wellness screening. More information and testimonials available at www.quantumhealingcenter.com.
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: Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. For more information, visit www.icanofnova.org/ or call 703-237-6136.
Seminars for Survivors: Healing Power of Humor. On Thursday, Sept. 18, 7:15-9 p.m., spend an evening with cancer survivor, health educator and author of "Live Life Laughing," Roz Trieber. Registration requested. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Colorectal Cancer Group. On Thursday, Sept. 18, 4:30-6 p.m., medical oncologist John Feigert, MD, will address "New Advances in Targeted Therapies for Colorectal Cancer," including the promising role of Erbitux and Avastin, at this special monthly meeting for patients and families affects by colorectal cancer. Light refreshments sponsored by BristolMyersSquibb; registration requested by Sept. 15. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Carcinoid Cancer Group. On Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.-noon, carcinoid patients, their adult family members and friends can meet with others with the same diagnosis and share experience and information. This group meets the third Saturday of every month. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Relaxation and Imagery Techiniques. On Tuesdays, Sept. 23 and 30 and Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28, 6:30-8 p.m., take advantage of the mind-body connection by learning techniques proven effective in enhancing qualify of life, managing stress, pain, treatment side effects and promoting insight. Registration appreciated by Sept. 21. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Food Choices for Health. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, 10:30 a.m.-noon, Jennifer Keller, RD, staff dietitian with Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, will review her organization's research on the role of vegetarian diet in cancer growth, prevention and treatment. Learn about vegetarian nutrition and sample some recipes. Registration necessary by Sept. 22. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1B. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. On Wednesday, Sept. 24, 7-8:30 p.m., Esther Muscari Lin, oncology clinical nurse specialist, acute care nurse practitioner, certified manual lymph drainage therapist, from Charlottesville, Va., is the special guest speaker for the meeting for patients with hereditary or secondary lymphedema resulting from surgery, radiation or trauma to the lymphatic system. Light refreshments and speaker sponsored by Ortho Biotech. Registration requested by Sept. 22. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Life with Cancer Golf Classic. On Thursday, Sept. 25, the Life with Cancer 9th Annual Golf Classic will take place at the Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville, Va. For sponsorship levels and fees, call the tournament coordinator at 703-447-3308.
Melanoma Group Meeting. On Thursday, Sept. 25, an education and support group meeting for patients and families to share experiences, emotions and challenges of living with melanoma and its treatments will take place at 7-8:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B. The support group will be offered on a bi-monthly or quarterly basis. Light refreshments. Registration requested by Sept. 22. If interested but unable to attend, call for future meeting times. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
"Mourning a Sudden Death" grief seminar. When death occurs suddenly, survivors are caught off guard with no time to prepare. The seminar, which is sponsored by the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, meets Sunday, Sept. 28, 2-4 p.m., at Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 101, West, Falls Church. Dr. Elizabeth Turner Haase, a psychologist specializing in grief, chronic and terminal illness and issues of loss, will facilitate the meeting. R.S.V.P. to: Lisa A. Colaianni or Maureen Balderston, Donor Family Advocates, Washington Regional Transplant Consortium at 703-641-0100 or 202-223-8229. Free of charge/free parking.
Gardening enthusiasts living with rheumatoid arthritis meeting. Learn from a master gardener how to design an arthritis-friendly garden. A rheumatologist will discuss rheumatoid arthritis and the latest treatments; an occupational therapist will talk about the physical and psychological benefits of gardening. Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Marriott in Tyson's Corner, 8028 Leesburg Pike. The event is free. R.S.V.P. at 1-877-99-CANDO.
Good Grief Bereavement Group. On Tuesdays, Sept. 30-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.
La Leche League of Burke, Northern Virginia's only weekend La Leche League meeting, meets the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Meetings take place at the Burke Presbyterian Church on Oak Leather Drive off of Burke Center Parkway. The next meeting will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4. 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 "Baby Arrives: The Family and the Breastfed Baby," 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.
The United Ostomy Association, Northern Virginia Chapter, will host its monthly support group meeting on Sunday, Oct. 5, at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. The meeting will take place in conference rooms D-E-F, located above Skylight Cafe. Refreshments and socializing, 1:30 p.m.; meeting 2-3:30 p.m. Dr. Albert Del Negro, prominent cardiologist, will discuss "Maintaining Healthy Hearts At Every Age" and much more. All are welcome to attend. Free. Parking in Blue garage. For information, call UOA at 703-802-3457.