<hdr30>Health
<lst>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.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. The next meeting is on May 13, at 1 p.m., with guest speaker Dr. Shaan Suleman, D.C. For more information, call 202-537-6800, Ext. 3014 or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
DivorceCare is offered as a support group at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield, each Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor. For more information, call the church office at 703-451-1500
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.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 1 p.m., at Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. The next meeting is May 8. Shaan Suleman, D.C., will speak on Chiropractic Physical Therapy to Help Arthritis & Fibromyalgia at the April 8 meeting. For more information call the Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800. Ext.3026.
Suicide Survivors Support. A suicide survivors bereavement support group meets the first Tuesday of each month at HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pilates Class. Orchid Pagoda, 8626 Lee Highway, Suite 200, Fairfax, offers a free introduction to Pilates mat class. Introduction classes run through May 8, on Mondays at 7:30 p.m., or Saturdays at 11 a.m. For reservations call 703-207-9120.
The Northern Virginia Epilepsy group meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. The next meeting is May 5. For more details call 703-425-6660. Free
Dr. Pavel Klein, director of the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy & Sleep Center, presents Genetics and Epilepsy discussion, on Wednesday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m., at the Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Room 100, Falls Church. For more details call 703-425-6660.
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. Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Call for information at 703-698-2841. Visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. A certified lymphedema therapist and an oncology counselor facilitates discussions about physical and emotional concerns. 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. Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Good Grief for Children 5-12 Years Old. Life with Cancer Family Center, Suite 203, Room B, 2832 Juniper St., in the Merrifield area. This is the continuation of an eight-week series utilizing group activities and art therapy through which children can share thoughts and feelings to help with the grief process. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lung Cancer Group. 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.
Social Skills/Therapy Group. In small groups, children who have difficulty in social situations because of ADHD or other challenges learn appropriate social behaviors such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Classes are $55-$65 a session and may be insurance-reimbursable. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Parkinson's Programs. An exercise program for individuals with Parkinson's Disease meets weekday mornings at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. Instructor is Anne Martin. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. No charge. For class schedule and more information, call the Senior Center at 703-503-8703.
A Fairfax support group for individuals with Parkinson's meets on the third Thursday of the month, at 2 p.m., at the Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. No charge. For more information, call Leon at 202-966-4450.
A Parkinson's Disease exercise class meets weekly at 10 a.m., at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For class schedule and more information, call the Senior Center at 703-503-8703.
A Springfield Parkinson's 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 Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and care partners. No charge. For more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
Divorce/Separation Group. Middle school boys and girls meet weekly to discuss issues related to their parents’ separation/divorce. One meeting for parents. Thursdays; time and date to be announced. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
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. RSVP to Lisa Colaianni or Maureen Balderston at 703-641-0100.
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.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several ongoing free bereavement support groups:
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.
Widow/widower Bereavement Support Group. For anyone grieving the death of a spouse. One group meets the first and third Thursday of each month, 2-3:30 p.m. An evening group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday each month, from 7:30-9 p.m.
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 on any of these support groups.
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.
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group. Meets the third Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m., at Manor Care of Fair Oaks, 12475 Lee Jackson Highway. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and care giving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit. Call Anita Newsome, group leader, at 703- 352-7172 prior to attending for the first time.