Know something that should be listed in Health & Fitness? Send a brief write-up to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA, 22102, fax to 703-917-0991 or call Lea Mae Rice at 703-917-6459.
Parent Workshops. “Guiding Good Choices” is a drug and alcohol prevention program geared towards parents of children ages 9-14. It is a three-session program that will help parents strengthen family bonds, set a clear position on drugs, and teach children skills to make healthy choices. The following sessions are offered to everyone living within the school boundaries of the Hayfield, South County, Lee and Edison pyramids. Free, but contributions are welcome. Final workshop Thursday, May 18 from 7–9 p.m. at Garfield Elementary School, 7101 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Call Janet Dougherty 703-923-2944 or e-mail janet.dougherty@fcps.edu.
The Cancer Project, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing cancer prevention through education and research, presents a "Breast Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Class" Thursday, May 18 from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Whole Foods Market, 8402 Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield. Free. To register, contact Customer Service at 703-644-2500.
The Epilepsy Foundation sponsors support groups and classes for parents of children of all ages with seizure disorders, adults diagnosed with seizure disorders, and caregivers. All groups are free of charge. For additional information, call Dana at 703-425-6660. Ongoing support groups include the following:
* Parents of children (Infants to 12-years-old) with seizure disorders meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m., at West Springfield High School, Entrance 4,
Room 021, 6100 Rolling Road in Springfield. The next meeting is June 13, with meetings following July 11, Aug. 15 and Sept. 12.
* Parents of teens and adults with seizure disorders meets the second Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m., at West Springfield High School, Entrance 4, Room 021, 6100 Rolling Road in Springfield. The next meeting June 8, with meetings following July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14.
The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC's next monthly support group meeting will be Sunday, June 4 from 1:30-3:30 p.m., at the Physicians' Conference Center, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road in Fairfax. Socialize and enjoy refreshments beginning at 1:30 p.m. Program begins at 2 p.m., with Coloplast representative Marlene Clay. Free. Park in Blue garage. For information call 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
Baby Care Class for expectant parents offered Saturday, July 10 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Sprinfriels. Topics include the essentials and basics of caring for a newborn. To register, call DC Lamaze at 301-917-0991 or e-mail md.graver@verizon.net.
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.
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.
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Northern Virginia offers pet therapy and a multilingual staff to patients and families living in the City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. Volunteers should contact the program office at 703-788-6680 for opportunities to participate in patient care. Families may call 800-93-VITAS for more information about hospice or to schedule a free consultation.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia sponsors the following bereavement support groups. HAVEN of Northern Virginia is located at 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. For more information, call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org:
* Widow/Widower Bereavement Support Groups, for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. Meetings take place on the first and third Thursday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. or on the second and fourth Tuesday of the 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 the month from 7:30-9 p.m.
* One on One Support. A volunteer will meet with a person grieving the death of a loved one, as needed, to provide individual support. Volunteers will be carefully selected to match individual needs.
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.