Send announcements to the Connection, to reston/herndon@connectionnewspapers.com or 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102. Deadline is Friday. Call 703-917-6449.
Reston VIP, support group for people with vision loss. Adults. No registration is required. Friday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m. at the Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-689-2700.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s National Capital Area Chapter is hosting the Reston "Light the Night" twilight walk on Saturday, Oct. 6 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Reston Town Center. Teams of co-workers, families and friends, businesses and neighborhoods will gather, share their stories and walk together at twilight holding illuminated balloons honoring patients and survivors. Money raised by participants will support the chapter’s mission to fund research and to improve the lives of patients and their families. There is no fundraising minimum, but the Society recommends a $25 donation to participate. Fund-raising incentives are available for those who raise between $100 and $10,000. Corporate sponsorship packages are also available. For more information, about the walk or to register, contact the National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 703-960-1100, or visit www.lightthenight.org/nca.
Pregnant women are invited to a celebration of gestation, discussing how to mother the mother-to-be with safe, effective massage therapy during the childbearing year. Free. Taught by Kerri Bundy, CMT, NCTMB, and CD (ALACE). Friday, Oct. 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at CTS Partners in Health, 443 Carlisle Drive, Herndon. For more information call 703-435-4553.
The Cancer Project, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing cancer prevention through education and research, is offering a free, eight-session cooking course designed to help people prevent and survive cancer through proper diet and nutrition. Local cooking instructor Jan Graves guides students through the preparation of the low-fat, vegetarian meals. Classes are noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, at Herndon Curves, 720 Grant St., Herndon. Oct. 10: Discovering Dairy Alternatives; Oct. 17: Replacing Meat; Oct. 24: Planning Healthy Meals; Oct. 31: Antioxidants and Phytochemicals; Nov. 7: Immune-Boosting Foods; Nov. 14: Maintaining a Healthy Weight. To register, call 703-707-9011. Visit www.CancerProject.org or call 202-244-5038.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to assist its blood collections staff at blood drives and blood donor centers. The volunteers will assist with providing a high level of customer service to donors, and with caring for donors in the refreshment area after the donation process. This position is offered to people who are 14 years of age or older. Specific responsibilities include greeting donors and providing them with essential reading materials, serving refreshments, and observing donors for post-donation reactions to giving blood. Training is provided. To register for training, call the American Red Cross Volunteer Office at 1-800-272-0094, ext. 1, or e-mail karlofft@usa.redcross.org.