<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.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) sponsors groups for injured victims and for relatives and friends of those who have been killed in drunk driving-related crashes. The next Injured Victim Support Group meeting is on Thursday, May 6, at 3 p.m. For information and location call 703-978-3025.
Mothers and the Law, a support/focus group for women with an interest in promoting justice for mothers and children of separation and divorce, meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m., in the library of McLean Baptist Church, 1367 Chain Bridge Road, McLean. Share experiences as litigants in the courts of Virginia. For more information, call 703-421-6203 or 703-748-0072.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsors the telephone support program, "From Clinic to Classroom: Making a Smooth Transition," on Thursday, May 13, from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. This conference call, with pediatric nurse practitioner Evelyn Joran-Thiel, assists parents prepare children with cancer, their classmates and their teachers to deal with health concerns, communication and school schedules. Must register by Tuesday, May 11. Registrants to receive the call-in number. For more information or to register call 703-960-1100, ext. 231 or e-mail singers@dc-cap.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
Unity of Fairfax presents a free lecture with Tanmaya Honervogt, international Reiki Master, called "The Power of Reiki" on Thursday, May 13, at 7 p.m. This is her first U.S. workshop. The Unity of Fairfax Church is located at 2854 Hunter Mill Road. For more information, visit ww.niavisions.com or call Gail Eskew at 703-802-1111.
The Unity of Fairfax hosts the "Reiki Renewal Workshop" on Friday, May 14, from 7-9 p.m., Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on both days. Cost for this weekend workshop is $300 and pre-registration is required. The Unity of Fairfax Church is located at 2854 Hunter Mill Road. For more information, visit ww.niavisions.com or call Gail Eskew at 703-802-1111.
The Vienna Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a seminar titled, "Children and Chiropractic: Natural Solutions to Common Childhood Health Problems" on Saturday, May 22, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E. Dr. Kathryn Anne Thompson discusses alternatives to drugs and surgery in treating and preventing common childhood illnesses. The program is free, but advanced registration is required. Call 703-255-6360.
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.
Suicide Survivors Support Group. A suicide survivors bereavement support group meets the first Tuesday of each month 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.
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.
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.