<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.
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.
Staying Ahead of the Alzheimer's Game. Lunch and panel presentation on Thursday, Sept. 25, 12-2 p.m., at Arden Courts Assisted Living, 12469 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. Reservations required. Call Marianne Hyman at 703-383-0060.
"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.
Digestive Disorders Workshop. Twinbrooke Chiropractic will teach healthy, natural solutions to acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcers, hiatal hernias and more. Discover how to restore proper digestion and gastrointestinal function at a free workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, Rolling Road and Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Reserve seats by calling 703-425-0048.
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.
La Leche League of Fairfax City hosts its next meeting on Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. The topic is "The Family and the Breastfed Baby." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Meeting location is Fairfax Christian Church, 10185 Main St. Free. For more information or questions, call a La Leche League Leader at 703-255-6808 or 703-280-0986.
Breast Cancer Patients in Motion. Make plans to attend this eight-week education and exercise class, Oct. 7-Nov. 25, 6:30-9 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. For those who have or have had breast cancer, each class begins with a half-hour exercise session followed by a guest speaker. Written physician permission is required for participation in exercise in surgery has been within six weeks. Register by Oct. 1. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Living with Leukemia? At a meeting of the leukemia support group, Dr. Peter Francis will present “Diagnostic and Prognostic Tests for Leukemia: What they are and how doctors use them.” Francis’ presentation will take place Thursday, Oct. 9, 7:15-9 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield. To register for this free program, call 703-960-1100 Ext. 231 or e-mail singers@dc-cap.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
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: Oct. 15, 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. Upcoming dates include Oct. 15 and 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.
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. The next meeting is Oct. 23. Free; patients and family members welcome. Call Michel Margosis for more information, 703-569-2630.
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.
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.
Moving On. Mondays and Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m., dates to be announced, increase muscle strength and flexibility, improve endurance and fatigue and enhance overall well-being by participating in this gentle exercise class taught by a qualified instructor who tailors exercises to meet individual needs. Cancer survivors in treatment or remission are encouraged to contact the office by Sept. 19 to obtain the necessary consent forms before the next session begins in late September or early October. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group (Support Group for Adults diagnosed with Seizure Disorders and Caregivers) meets every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Upcoming meetings are: Sept. 16, 24. Free of charge. For additional information, call 703-425-6660.
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 or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the third Thursday of the month, at 2 p.m., at Little River Glen, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The next meeting is Sept. 18. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For more information, call 703-891-0821.
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.