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 maweber@connectionnewspapers.com
GYN Cancer Group. On Wednesday, Jan. 14, 5:30-7 p.m., women diagnosed with ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancers are invited to drop in, share experiences and learn from one another in this monthly meeting. Facilitated by an oncology counselor and a nurse. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Head's Up! On Wednesday, Jan. 14, 5:30-7 p.m., this educational support group for current and former head and neck cancer patients and significant others will meet at Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use the Blue parking garage.
Sense the Self through Self-Massage. Thursday, Jan. 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Massage helps to relieve stress, relax the body and create more open communication. Dress comfortably and learn some basic massage skills with Jennifer Moore. Dress comfortably and be prepared to sit on the floor. Register by Jan. 12. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Melanoma Group Meeting. On Thursday, Jan. 15, 7-8:30 p.m., Amir Bajoghli, MD, director of Mohs Micrographic and Dermatalogic Surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine, dermatologist and surgeon, discusses and answers questions on skin cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Colorectal Cancer Group. On Thursday, Jan. 15, 5:30-7 p.m., registered dietitian Julia Thorsen starts the year with an overview of nutritional issues relevant to a colon or rectal cancer diagnosis. Meet with others affected by colorectal cancer to address issues and concerns. Facilitated by an oncology nurse and a social worker. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the third Thursday of the month, at 2 p.m., at the Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. Next meeting is Jan. 15. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. No charge. For more information, call Leon at 202-966-4450.
Creating a Mandala. "Mandala" is a Hindi word from Sanskrit meaning circle, considered to be a symbol representing the self or the center of personality. Create mandala drawings as a vehicle to explore emotions, regain a sense of control over illness, and strive for balance and order. Monday, Jan. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Young Adults with Cancer. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 7:30-9 p.m., meet with others ages 18 to 30-something to discuss issues such as sexuality, dating, body image, 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., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room A. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Good Grief Bereavement Group. Tuesdays, Jan. 20-March 9, 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. Understand the grieving process and handle the changes that come after the loss of a loved one. 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. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Multiple Myeloma Group. On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., medical oncologist and MM specialist Blanche Mavromatis from Lombardi Cancer Center presents "Advances in the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma." Light lunch sponsored by Millenium. Co-sponsored with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, 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. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com. Registration requested by Jan. 19.
Annual Update on Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplantation. Roy Beveridge, MD, co-director of the Fairfax Stem Cell Transplant Program, presents this annual review and update for former, current and future patients and their families. Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6-7:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Stem Cell/BMT Teens' Meet and Eat. On Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6-7:30 p.m., have dinner and a discussion with other teenagers while parents attend the Annual Stem Cell/BMT Update. Discuss issues related to having a parent going through a BMT or stem cell transplant. A nurse will be available to answer questions. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
"Bagels of Hope," a play by Life with Cancer's Theater Group. On Thursday, Jan. 22, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., see a play created by and for people dealing with cancer. Fellow class participants show off their creativity and acting abilities. Enjoy some bagels and discussion following the play. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Carcinoid Cancer Group. Saturday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m.-noon, 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.
Music for Life. On Monday, Jan. 26, 7:15-8:45 p.m., National Institutes of Health music therapist Sheila Egan provides an enjoyable and interactive introduction to using music for relaxation, pain management, energizing and feeling good. Register by Jan. 23. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
New Directions: Looking Beyond Cancer — Living, Learning, Enriching. Wednesdays, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11 and 18, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Many cancer survivors are living longer and better after treatment. Oncology counselor Dodi Christiano facilitates this four-part workshop to help you explore forgotten dreams and passions and navigate new/not yet traveled roads. Registration required by Jan. 26. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. On Wednesday, Jan. 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 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Lung Cancer Group. On Wednesday, Jan. 28, 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., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Good Grief Dinner for Teens. Teenagers 13-18 years old who have lost a family member to cancer are invited to have dinner and share thoughts and feelings about the loss to help the grief process. Wednesday, Jan. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Acting Out, Life with Cancer's theater group, meets Thursdays, Jan. 29-March 25, 7:30-9 p.m. Prior drama experience not at all necessary as Joyce Montgomery, MSW candidate, facilitates and guides the sharing and discovery of talent as an "actor" or technical support person. Have fun creating and rehearsing a series of one-act plays as a way of expressing the many issues and emotions people experience when facing life with cancer. Patients, family members, friends and health care professionals are invited to participate. Register by Jan. 26. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Seeing Your True Self. On Thursday, Jan. 29, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., artist Maureen Wolford facilitates the decorating of mirrors using tile and other materials to help participants focus and reflect on who they are. Bring along small, personally meaningful items to apply. Space limited; register by Jan. 26. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Neurology Epilepsy Support Group, a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers, meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6 - 7 p.m., at Georgetown University Hospital, Lombardi Cancer Center, Floor 2, Podium A - Conference Room, 3800 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. Come to a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, or Tuesday, March 2.
La Leche League of Vienna will host its next meeting on Feb. 4, 2004, at 10 a.m. The topic for January is "Solids, Weaning and Family Nutrition." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Location to be announced. For more information or questions, call a La Leche League Leader at 703-281-5801 or 703-716-4872 or abcgray@hotmail.com.
"Controlling Chaos: Learning to Live with ADHD." Girls 13-15 with ADHD can meet Mondays, Feb. 2-March 29, 5-6 p.m., at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
"Nutrition and the Child with Cancer." Parents of children with cancer can receive information about nutrition from a free telephone conference call sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Talk with Miriam Botwinick, MS, clinical dietitian at Children's National Medical Center, from home or from a child's bedside when dialing in to "Nutrition and the Child with Cancer." Botwinick answers questions about managing children's diets while they are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer in this call scheduled from Wednesday, Feb. 11, 7-8 p.m. Register with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by Feb. 9 for this call. The call-in number will be sent out to registrants. Call 703-960-1100 Ext. 231 or singers@dc-cap-leukemia-lymphoma.org to register.
"Blood Counts: What They Are and How Doctors Use Them." Living with leukemia? At the February meeting of the leukemia support group, Dr. Richard Binder delivers his presentation "Blood Counts: What They Are and How Doctors Use Them." The presentation is Thursday, Feb. 12, 7-9 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-cap-leukemia-lymphoma.org.
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.
Good Grief for Teens. For those 13-18, 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.
The Parkinson's Foundation offers weekly support groups (previously located at the Providence Recreation Center) for patients and caregivers. They meet every Tuesday at 10 and 11 a.m., at the Lewinsville Senior Center, 1609 Great Falls St., McLean. Call 703-891-0821 if interested in joining or for more information.
Teens' Educational Support Program. A new eight-week program, for youths 13-18 who have a family member who is a cancer patient, 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, Fairfax. Call 703-208-5623 for upcoming schedule.
Good Grief for Teens. For those 13-18, 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, Fairfax. 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, Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.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. The next meetings of the group are Jan. 7 and 21.
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., with the next meeting on Jan. 15. An evening group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month, from 7:30-9 p.m. The next meetings of the evening group are Jan. 13 and 27.
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. The next meeting is Jan. 6.
An early mother loss bereavement support group for anyone who lost a mother before age 21 meets the third Tuesday 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 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). 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 meeting 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.
The Alzheimer's Association of the National Capital Area is starting a new caregiver support group that will meet 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 .
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 Parkinson's Disease Young Onset Support Group will meet 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.
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.
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.