<lst>Inova Blood Donor Services is in critical need of all blood types and of blood platelets. With more traffic accidents on busy highways, the only Level 1 trauma center in Northern Virginia, Inova Fairfax Hospital, will be needing more blood. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended. Each facility has morning and evening hours. Must be 17 or older and weigh 100 pounds or more. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES or log onto www.inova.org/donateblood to schedule an appointment.
"Give Care, Take Care: A Prescription for Caregivers," presented by Wendy Lustbader, MSW, nationally known speaker, author and expert on elder care, on Friday, Nov. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Springfield Golf and Country Club. The seminar is followed by a buffet lunch. A $10 fee is required for this event but scholarships are available. Go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/service/aaa and click on November is National Family Caregiver's Month to print the flier or call Beth Hershner at 703-324-5425 and TTY: 703- 449-1186.
"Hope for the Holidays" grief seminar. The loss of a loved one is difficult at any time, but holiday rituals and traditions can make it a period of stress and depression. On Sunday, Nov. 23, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Kathleen Persson, LCSW, director of grief and loss of The Hospices of the National Capital Region and a nationally certified bereavement facilitator, will facilitate a seminar to help those grieving better cope with the holiday season at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Physicians' Conference Center, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Free. R.S.V.P. to Lisa A. Colaianni or Maureen Balderston, donor family advocates, Washington Regional Transplant Consortium; 703-641-0100 or 1-866-BE-A-DONOR.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekly every Thursday, except Nov. 27 and Dec. 25, at 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building (classroom), Springfield. The instructor is Monica Phillips. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and carepartners. Fee. For a class schedule and more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group is a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and their caregivers. The group will meet on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 from 7 - 8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Free.
United Ostomy Association, Inc., Northern Virginia Chapter, meets Sunday, Dec. 7, at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, conference rooms D-E-F, above Skylight Cafe. Social hour and refreshments will take place at 1:30 p.m., followed by the program, 2-3:30 p.m. This monthly support group meeting includes holiday festivities and a featured speaker. For those who are interested in learning more about living with an ostomy, CWOCN Mary Ann Brooks attends the meetings to answer questions. All are welcome; free. Free parking in Blue garage. For more information, call UOA at 703-802-3457.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets at 2 p.m., on the third Thursday at the Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The next meeting is Dec. 18. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. No charge. For more information, call Leon at 202-966-4450.
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.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. The next meeting is Dec. 10. For more information, call Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, ext. 3026 or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
Girl’s Group. Middle school girls can meet weekly to discuss school, friends and peer issues. Includes two parent meetings. Classes will be Thursdays, times to be announced, at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. Call 703-204-9100. $55 per session. May be insurance-reimbursable.
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.
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.
Coping with the holidays after the death of a loved one. Come to this presentation to be given support, encouragement and tools for this difficult time. Come on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 7:30-9 p.m., for Christmas support, or come to both. The meetings will take place at Haven of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, 703-941-7000. Free. Visit www.havenofnova.org.
La Leche League of Burke meets on the first Saturday of each month, at 9:30 a.m., at Burke Presbyterian Church on Oak Leather Drive off of Burke Center Parkway. The next meeting will be Saturday, Dec. 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 "Nutrition and Weaning: What Else Do We Feed Them?" but all questions and concerns will be addressed. The meeting is free and babies are welcome. For additional information, contact Leslie at 703-256-2754 or Marisa at 703-323-7301.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several ongoing free bereavement support groups.
A 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.
A 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., the other on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
A 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.
An early mother loss bereavement support group for anyone who lost a mother before the age of 21 meets the third Tuesday each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org for more information.
ICAN of Northern Virginia (International Cesarean Awareness Network) will meet on the following dates at 7 p.m., at Inova HealthSource, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax: Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. For more information, visit www.icanofnova.org/ or call 703-237-6136.
CHADD, Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, offers a parental support group for parents of children with AD/HD on the third Wednesday of every month. Next meeting: Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at Kingstowne Library, 6500 Landsdowne Centre, Alexandria. Contact Jennifer McClung at jen1187@comcast.net for more information. For other groups and meeting sites, visit www.novachadd.org.
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. R.S.V.P. to Lisa Colaianni or Maureen Balderston at 703-641-0100.