Health notes are for support groups, exercise classes, blood drives and similar events open to the public at no or minimal cost. Send notes to the Connection at south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6459. Deadline is Friday. Dated announcements should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the event.
Panera Bread and Inova Blood Donor Services Sponsored Blood Drives. Each Thursday in July, at different Panera locations. All drives will run from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Donors must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. All potential donors will receive a coupon for a free cookie and small orange juice redeemable at any Panera Bread café. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES. Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcomed.
*July 24, West Ox Road, Fairfax
*July 31, 8085 Sudley Road, Manassas.
A monthly peer support group for survivors of clergy abuse and others affected by the abuse will meet on Wednesday, July 30 at 7 p.m. in the conference room of the Tysons-Pimmit Hills Regional Library, 7684 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. This group is co-sponsored by Voice of the Faithful-Northern Virginia affiliate and meets on the last Wednesday of every month. Free. Confidential. No registration required. Call Ellen Radday at 703-538-6128.
Balance Hormones Naturally. Wednesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. A workshop with Dr. Laura Stone, OB-GYN, about the symptoms and solutions for hormone imbalance, research on natural hormone replacement and nutritional tips to boost energy and lose weight. The Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce, 8804-D Pear Tree Village Court, Alexandria. Space is limited. Call the Alexandria Medical Arts Pharmacy at 703-549-4350.
Alternative House conducts an open door discussion about issues facing young people in the community on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 6-7 p.m. Includes an overview of programs and services, and the opportunity to talk with the executive director, a board member and staff. Tour the teen shelter. Information provided on how groups and individuals can support programs. For information or to RSVP contact Gina Cocomello at gina_cocomello@thealternativehouse.org. Alternative House helps children and youth stay safe, make positive decisions, achieve educational success and overcome crisis by providing counseling, shelter neighborhood support, and after school programs.
Breast Cancer Group at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road. Call 703-698-2841.
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.
Recovery Inc. is 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.
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.
The Northern Virginia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Support Group offers a support group the third Saturday of every month from 2-4 p.m. at the Mason Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale. Open to anyone interested in CFC, FM, Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonomia and orthostatic intolerance. Free; free parking. No stairs to climb. Refrain from wearing scented products. For more contact Elly Brosius at 703-968-9818, cfsupport-owner@yahoogroups.com or visit www.geocities.com/cfsnova.
Good Grief for Children 5-12 Years Old. Life with Cancer Family Center, Suite 203, Room B, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax., 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., Fairfax, 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.
Breastfeeding Mom's Group. New Mom and Baby topics, including breastfeeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Groups meet on Thursdays, at 10:30 a.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road. Cost is $5 per session. Call 703-776-MILK (6455).
Young widowhood 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. Registration required. Free. RSVP to Lisa Colaianni at 703-641-0100.
A support group in Burke will offer support and information to people caring for elderly or disabled adults, whether these loved ones live in their home, nearby residences or miles away. Meetings are free and open to the public. This caregivers support group meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 1-2:30 p.m., at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Call 703-451-8631 or e-mail jjclement@earthlink.net.
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 1-866-256-6372 or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.
Other Inova blood donation sites are:
* Inova Alexandria Hospital
4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria
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
703-664-7229
Hours: Monday-Thursday; 4-7 p.m.
* CentreMed, Centreville
703-322-1970
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; noon-8 p.m.
Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.