<lst>Have any health notes to submit to the paper? New class? New or ongoing support group? Blood drive? Fax a brief write-up to 703-917-0991 or e-mail vienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Michael O'Connell at 703-917-6440.
Donate Blood. Inova Blood Donor Services is open weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at its main location at 3289 Woodburn Road in Annandale. To inquire about appointments at a convenient donor center or blood drive, call 1-866-BLOOD SAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.
Other Inova blood donation sites are:
* Inova Alexandria Hospital
4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Va.
703-504-3500
Hours: Monday and Wednesday; noon-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
* Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
2501 Parker's Lane, Alexandria, Va.
703-664-7229
Hours: Monday-Thursday; 4-7 p.m.
* CentreMed, Centreville, Va.
703-322-1970
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; noon-8 p.m.
Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Good Grief for Children, 5-12 years old. Mondays, through May 31, 5-6 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. Eight-week program of group activities and art therapy for children going through the grief process. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Individual Reiki Appointments. Schedule an individual session with a certified Reiki practitioner, and experience the benefits of this ancient healing practice. Dress comfortably. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Children's Educational Support Program. Wednesdays, through June 2, 5:15-6:15. Discussion and activities group for children 5-12 who are learning to cope with someone in the family having cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Good Grief Bereavement Group. Tuesdays through June 8, 7:15-9 p.m., join others who have experienced the death of a loved one within the last two years for this eight-week seminar. Discussion topics include the process of grief; accepting and expressing emotions; dealing with children, families and friends; role and lifestyle change; coping with special dates; and community resources. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. Registration necessary; call to receive all forms, 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Good Grief Dinner for Teens. Wednesday, April 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dinner for teens who have lost a family member to cancer. Share thoughts and feelings and learn about the grief process. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Writing for Wellness. On Wednesday, April 21, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room B, use poetry and writing to explore and express thoughts and emotions. Experience not necessary. Register by Monday, April 19. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
After the First Year. Thursday, April 22, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. Drop in on this monthly group for people who have lost a loved one to cancer more than one year ago. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
BMT/Stem Cell Support Group. On Thursday, April 22, 12:30-1 p.m., this monthly meeting, open to past, current and upcoming bone marrow transplant and/or stem cell transplant patients and caregivers meets at Fairfax-Northern VA Hem-Onc, 8503 Arlington Blvd. #320, Fairfax. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Cellular Immune Therapy for Blood Cancers. On Tuesday, April 27, 7-9 p.m., Aaron P. Rappaport, MD, associate professor of medicine, director of gene/medicine lymphoma at University of Maryland School of Medicine and medical oncologist at Greenebaum Cancer Center in Baltimore, who has special interests in hematological malignancies and blood and marrow transplantation will present. Register by April 23. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. On Wednesday, April 28, 7-8:30 p.m., meet with others who have hereditary or secondary lymphedema resulting from surgery, radiation or trauma to the lymphatic system. A certified lymphedema therapist and an oncology counselor will facilitate discussion about physical and emotional concerns. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room B. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Suicide Survivors Support Group. A suicide survivors bereavement support group meets the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is May 4, at 7:30 p.m., at HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org.
Widow/widower bereavement support groups meet the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. The next Tuesday meeting is May 11, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org.
Life with Cancer, an Inova Health System program, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, offers a number of support groups and events for individuals and families coping with cancer. For children, call 703-208-5623. Adults, call 703-698-2841, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lung Cancer Group. Facilitated by an oncology counselor. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841; visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Eating Can be Good for You! After a cancer diagnosis and during cancer treatment, many worry about eating the "right" foods. Julia Thorsen, registered dietitian for the Cancer Patient Nutrition Support Program at Inova Cancer Center, provides recent findings and recommendations to get the year off to a good nutritional start. Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
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., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Carcinoid Cancer Group. Meet with other carcinoid cancer patients and their adult loved ones to share experiences and learn from one another in this monthly group meeting. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Tens of thousands will spend the weekend of May 1-2 walking 26.2 or 39.3 miles in Washington, D.C., as part of this year's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The event helps raise money for breast cancer awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, treatment, support services and scientific research.
Walkers, who have a choice of completing a marathon walk or a marathon and a half, will raise $1,800 in donations for the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade.
In the last 10 years, Avon Crusade has raised more than $250 million to help raise awareness and to fund access to care and to finding a cure for breast cancer.
To register to walk or to receive more information, visit www.avonwalk.org, or call 1-877-WALK-AVON. To learn more about the Avon Foundation, see. www.avonfoundation.org.
Women and men who register for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer will be given support in training for the walk and in fund-raising.
United Ostomy Association, Inc., Northern Virginia Chapter hosts its Annual Ostomy Products and Services Fair on Sunday, May 2, 1:30-3 p.m., at Physicians' Conference Center, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. The fair features major ostomy supplies manufacturers' reps showing their latest products; product displays and samples; door prizes & raffles; free refreshments; much more. For more information, call 703-802-3457.
The Parkinson's Disease Young Onset Support Group. Meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Dolley Madison Library lower level meeting room at 1244 Oak Ridge Avenue in McLean. There is no charge. Patients, caregivers and family members are welcome. Call Hilary Blue at 703-821-1393 for more information.
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.
Weight management. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Thursdays at 6:45 p.m., at Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax. For more details, call 202-622-6042 or visit www.TOPS.org.
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 Thursdays of each month, 2-3:30 p.m. An evening group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month, from 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.
Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org for more information.
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Groups. Meetings are facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and caregiving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit.
In Oakton, the group meets the third Monday of the month from 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living (10322 Blake Lane).
In McLean, a caregiver support group meets on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at The Sylvestery, 1728 Kirby Road in McLean. The Sylvestery is Vinson Hall Retirement Community's new assisted living residence for the care of people with memory impairments. Barbara Adams, M.S.W., will be the support group leader. Call Betty Moore, group leader, at 703-255-2050, before attending for the first time.
For a complete listing of Alzheimer’s Association support groups meet throughout the National Capital Area, call toll-free 1-866-259-0042 or visit www.alz-nca.org. Support groups are subject to change. Contact the support group leader to verify date, time and location.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Hyperactivity Disorder) of Northern Virginia. A support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7:15 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Contact Annette Spector, aspector@der-online.com, with questions. The support group schedule is also posted online at www.novachadd.org. For more information about these and other upcoming meetings, call 703-641-5451 or e-mail nova_chadd@hotmail.com.
The Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., at the Falls Church High School Career Center, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail.
Life with Cancer Caregivers Meeting. Every Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m. Meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer and more. Use Blue parking garage. Meetings held at Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, radiation oncology conference room, at 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. 703-698-2841 for registration and information.
Social Skills/Therapy Groups. In small, age-appropriate groups, children who have difficulty in social situations learn and practice appropriate behavior, such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. $55-$65 per session. (May be insurance-reimbursable.) For registration, call the Jewish Social Service Agency at 703-204-9100.
The Alzheimer's Family Day Center is looking for volunteers. If interested, contact Joan at 703-532-8899 or afdc@alzheimersfdc.org.
The Epilepsy Foundation is sponsoring on-going support groups and classes in Fairfax County; Washington, D.C. and Prince William County. Free. For information, call 703-425-6660.
Parkinson's Groups. A Parkinson's Disease caregivers/carepartners support group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, lower level meeting room, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Call Angela Robb, 703-277-9666.
A Fairfax Parkinson’s Disease support group meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday at the Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes patients and family members. No charge. For more information, call Leon at 202-966-4450.
A Parkinson’s Disease exercise class meets weekly every Thursday at 2 p.m. at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building (classroom), Springfield. Instructor: Monica Phillips. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes patients, family members and carepartners. Fee. For a class schedule and more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
A Springfield Parkinson’s Disease support group meets at 2 p.m. on the fourth Thursday at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Springfield. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes patients, family members and carepartners. No charge. For more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
Recovery Inc., a nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous diseases, meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee, 703-777-1708.
The American Red Cross is offering Infant and Child CPR at Dunn Loring United Methodist Church, 2501 Gallows Road, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The fee is $40. To enroll, call 703-964-0004 or visit www.redcrossnca.org.
Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent Today. A chance to make a difference in a child’s life. Call Fairfax County’s Foster Care and Adoption Program at 703-324-7639.
Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia. A support group for amputees, their families and friends. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Physician's Conference Center, Room 1D, first floor, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. There is no cost to participants, and parking is provided free in the garage for cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. Contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120 or e-mail asgnva@earthlink.net for more information.
Depression and Manic Depression Support Group. The Sterling/Reston Chapter of DRADA, meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month, 7-9 p.m. For location, contact Traci at 703-433-1448 or Jan at 703-669-5177. DRADA stands for Depressive and Related Affective Disorders Association, a nonprofit, self-help group sponsored by Johns Hopkins, which has been in existence for over 20 years.
Virginia Health Information (VHI). VHI, a nonprofit, independent organization, has published information on its Web site, www.vhi.org, reporting on the in-patient cardiac care provided at all licensed hospitals in Virginia. The information compares their performance and mortality outcomes. VHI’s study is based on over 100,000 cardiac patient discharges submitted by Virginia hospitals for the year 2000.
Shoplifters Anonymous. Group offers a new 12-step meeting program for those who wish to stop compulsive shoplifting. The group meets every Thursday, 7-8 p.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road. Call Sue at 703-759-0396 or Carol at 703-764-0347 to confirm the meeting date.
The Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area accepts used car donations through its partner cars4charities. To participate, call 1-866-448-3487 or visit www.cars4charities.org. Vehicles are towed away free of charge. Some restrictions apply.