Dr. Charlene Connolly, provost of the Medical Education Campus of Northern Virginia Community College is the honorary chair for the 2006 Springfield WalkAmerica, which raises funds for the March of Dimes. The walk is Sunday, April 23, 9 a.m., at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield. Connolly has been working with March of Dimes staff to help recruit local businesses and other organizations to get involved with the walk. In addition, Connolly and Ronda Wright, director of the MEC’s clinical network, have formed a team that has been raising money for the walk and will participate in the event. The March of Dimes seeks to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. WalkAmerica is its biggest fund raiser, and the event raised $1 million last year in the national capital area. More information is available at www.marchofdimes.com/metrodc.
The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) named Paula R. Graling association president at its 53rd Annual Congress in Washington, D.C. In addition to her presidency for AORN, Graling is a clinical nurse specialist at Inova Fairfax Hospital in the Washington, D.C. region where she is responsible for more than 30 operating rooms. Graling has recent experience in disaster preparedness. She was instrumental in reacting to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and in preparing her hospital for Hurricane Isabel in September 2003. Graling has experience in academic teaching, professional seminars, community presentations and journal publication. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from George Mason University.
Mothers First–Burke is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out, and lectures. Meet at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Lamaze classes will be on Wednesday nights at Kaiser in Springfield. Weekend classes are also available. Call 301-352-9727 to register.
Learn how to stay well/treat illness with good nutrition at this free program with Dr. Eric Berg on Thursday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m., at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. He will discuss his ongoing research on ways to prevent and cure disease using a variety of nutritional strategies. For more information, call 703-323-9500 or visit www.lordoflifelutheran.com.
The next meeting for the Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support group is on April 21 at 1 p.m., at Pohick Library, 6450 Syndentricker Road, Burke. Nancy Waschtenheim is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in depression and anxiety and has treated many Fibromyalgia /Chronic fatigue patients. All are welcome. Meetings are third Friday of each month. Questions call Barbara 703-913-0890 or Maxine 703-451-4558.
CRISISLINK, the greater Washington region's only 24/7 crisis, suicide and trauma prevention, intervention and response hotline, is seeking volunteers to take calls and respond directly to individuals in need on a suicide and crisis hotline. Training starts Saturday, April 22. Please visit www.crisislink.org and complete the online application or call Lisa at 703-527-6016.
Mothers First, Fairfax is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms' nights out and lectures. April's meetings are April 19 from 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Green Acres Elementary School, Room 116, 4401 Sideburn Road, Fairfax. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
On Sunday, May 7 from 1:30-3:30 p.m., The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC will host the Annual Ostomy Products and Services Fair at Physicians' Conference Center, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Representatives include Hollister, ConvaTec, Byram, Alzheimer's Association, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Life With Cancer many more. Free. Refreshments, raffles and door prizes. Park in Blue garage. To join OSGNV, call 703-802-3457. http://ostomysupportofnova.org/
The Recreation and Parks program at the Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College is sponsoring a hands-on wilderness first aid course on Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30; graduates will be certified by Wilderness Medical Associates. Students will learn how to deal with medical emergencies that occur miles away from help — topics include patient assessment, environmental injuries, anaphylaxis and lifting/moving. Call Nancy Chamberlain at 703-323-3230 or nchamberlain@nvcc.edu.
La Leche League of Burke, Northern Virginia's only weekend La Leche League meeting, meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month. Saturday, May 6. 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 "The advantages of breastfeeding to mother and baby" but all questions and concerns will be addressed. The meeting is free and babies are welcome. For directions to meeting or additional information, contact Leslie at 703-256-2754 or Marisa at 703-323-7301.
The Jewish Social Service Agency sponsors services for older adults in Northern Virginia, including in-home support services such as Meals on Wheels, nonsectarian geriatric care management services and counseling for seniors and their family. Call 703-204-9100. The Jewish Social Service Agency is located at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax.
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.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy. A support group for parents of children of all ages diagnosed with seizure disorders, meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7-8 p.m., at the Braddock supervisor's office in the meeting room, 9002 Burke Lake Road. Call Dana Douglas at 703-425-6660.
CanSurvive. Life with Cancer sponsors a patient-led, drop-in lunchtime general cancer support group for those dealing with any type of cancer on Thursdays at noon, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Call 301-610-9146 or visit www.can-survive.net.
Thyroid Cancer Support Group. Open to thyroid cancer survivors and their adult loved ones to share information and support in this monthly meeting co-sponsored with the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association. Call 1-877-588-7904.
Spirituality Quest. This support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Call 703-698-2841.
Multiple Myeloma Group meets monthly to discuss experiences, emotions and challenges of living with multiple myeloma. The Life With Cancer Family Center is located at 2832 Juniper St. Call 703-698-2841.
Breast Cancer Group at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road. Call 703-698-2841.
The Church of the Nativity offers a general bereavement support group the first and third Thursday of each month from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the church, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke. Open to adults of all faiths. Call 703-455-2400, ext. 17.
Metastatic Breast Cancer support groups, a closed group setting with other women living with metastatic breast cancer, take place on Thursdays and Fridays. Registration is required. Call Sage Bolte at 703-208-5620.
Birthmothers is an outreach ministry for pregnant women serving Fairfax county. They match pregnant women with a specially trained friend who listens to concerns about being pregnant, the baby's father and the future. The group also connects women with practical assistance like low-cost prenatal care, housing resources, or legal aid. Birthmothers is confidential and free. Call 1-877-77BIRTH.
Parent-to-Parent. A support group for parents of young children with special needs, co-sponsored by Jewish Social Service Agency and the Board of Jewish Education, Northern Virginia. Fourth Friday of every month at a location to be announced. $65/individual, $90/couple for entire series, $10/session for drop-ins. Call 301-255-1944.
The Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets each Wednesday, from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Call 703-425-6660.
New Mom's Group. Meets at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. New mom and baby topics and concerns, including breast-feeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates the group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Ongoing, Thursdays 10:30 a.m.-noon. For the convenience of new moms, no preregistration needed. $5/session. Call 703-204-6455.
Fairfax County has partnered with Senior Navigator to provide up-to-date health and aging information and resources for seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers in Virginia. Features include online access to nearly 19,000 public and private services in Virginia, hundreds of informative articles on health and aging, and an "Ask the Expert" feature that allows specialists to provide confidential answers to your questions. Visit www.seniornavigator.org.
Achieve Fitness is offering free trial classes for its women-only outdoor fitness boot camps in Fairfax Station. To register, visit www.womensonlyfitness.com or call 1-888-872-7961. E-mail bobf@achieve-fitness.com.
Body and Soul aerobics and strength training classes meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9-10:30 a.m., at Burke Community Church, 9990 Old Keene Mill Road. Body and Soul is a complete cardiovascular and strength workout to contemporary Christian music. Call Suzann Albanese at 703-372-2332.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsors the “First Connection” program, which matches patients newly diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood-related cancer — and their families — with cancer survivors who have lived through a similar illness. For more information on this program, call 703-960-1100, ext. 231.
Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous is a program for individuals recovering from addictive eating and anorexia based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins at our meetings. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m., at Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Call 1-877-805-2823 for more information and other times and locations.
Sunrise Assisted Living of Fairfax offers a short-term stay program for aging persons. Fees vary depending on the community and personal care needs. Three meals per day are included. Program is designed for a week's stay to several months. Call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Fairfax is located at 9207 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax.
Individual Nutrition Counseling. Schedule an individual appointment with registered dietitian Julie Thorsen from Inova Fairfax Cancer Center's Cancer Patient Nutrition Support Program and learn how to optimize your nutritional status related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Call 703-289-8787 to schedule an appointment.
Short-term Counseling Services offers an opportunity to discuss the challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis and to explore effective ways of coping. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Life with Cancer office at 703-698-2820.
Brain Tumor Group, first Tuesday of the month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Adult patients and families are invited to share and learn ways to meet the challenges of living with primary malignant or benign brain tumors. For more information, call 703-698-2841.
The Caregivers Meeting. Weekly drop-in group for family members and friends of those with cancer to discuss various concerns. Wednesdays, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital in the Radiation Oncology Conference Room. Use the blue garage. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. For schedules, call 1-866-259-0042.
Burke/Springfield/Fairfax Compassionate Friends Support Group. Friendship and understanding to families grieving the death of a child. The support group meets monthly at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-425-9504.
Birth Mother’s Support Group. Meets weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group will be led by a licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor. Call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. A modest fee is charged based on income.
Recovery Inc. A nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous disease meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee at 703-777-1708.
Chapter 5300 of the AARP. Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield in the theater at Village Square at 1 p.m.
The Women’s Center of Vienna offers a number of classes and workshops designed to help navigate the different aspects of separation and divorce, starting in April and continuing through August at various locations in Vienna, Fairfax and McLean. Some of the program topics include Divorce Through Mediation, Divorce Without Litigation, Dollars and Sense of Divorce, Financial Planning for Separation and Divorce, Helping Your Child Cope With Separation and Divorce, Legal Aspects of Child Support and Understanding Your Right To Marital Assets and others. Visit www.thewomenscenter.org or call 703-281-2657.
Home Safety Survey. An opportunity to spot fire or life safety hazards. The life safety education officer or a City of Fairfax fire inspector will perform a home walk-through to inspect all smoke detectors, review fire escape plans, check to see that all emergency numbers are posted, scan for other safety hazards and make suggestions to remedy any problems. Call Lt. John Henderson at 703-273-8109 to make an appointment.
Burke Internal Medicine, 5631 Burke Center Parkway, offers free health evaluations for individuals ages 55 and over who have no current health coverage. Included in the offer is a free cholesterol screening, blood pressure screening, diabetes screening, personal risk assessment and consultation. To make an appointment, call Dr. Nabil Andrawis or Dr. Nashwa Gabra at 703-250-5171.
Child Medications. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights aids parents who question the use of prescribed drugs for their children with mental "disorders" to improve educational performance or overall behavior. Call 1-800-869-2247 or visit www.fightforkids.org.
The Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area accepts used car donations through its partner cars4charities. Call 1-866-448-3487 or visit www.cars4charities.org. Vehicles are towed away free of charge. Some restrictions apply.
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. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Weight Management. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Thursdays, at 6:45 p.m., at Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax. Annual membership is $20. Call 202-622-6042 or visit www.TOPS.org.
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. Call the church office at 703-451-1500.