<lst>Inova Blood Donor Services is in critical need of all blood types and of blood platelets. Donating blood now will ensure that supplies will be plentiful during the summer months, a time when supplies decrease and need increases. 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.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Team For Life will be participating in the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 26 in order to raise money to help fund cystic fibrosis research. Those interested in running in a marathon can be a part of the Team For Life. Jay Wind, a Marine Corps Marathon age-group champion, will coach Team For Life through weekly group training runs and daily communication via discussion groups, e-mail and telephone. The training program begins in June and continues until race day. Runs will take place at various area trails and tracks in the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. There will also be tips on fund-raising to aid participants in raising the minimum of $1,700 for cystic fibrosis research. For more information, contact Jill Kaminsky, Director of Special Events, at 301-657-8444 or jkaminsky@cff.org.
Children's Educational Support Program meets Wednesdays, Aug. 13 and 20, 5:15-6:15 p.m., at the Life With Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., suite 203, room B. An eight-week discussion and activity group for children ages 5-12. Participants learn about cancer and find ways to manage the emotions and changes that come when someone in the family has cancer. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Teens' Educational Support Program. Wednesdays, at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call for time; group forming. Eight-week group for teens ages 13-18 who have cancer. Registration is required. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Qi Gong, "Chinese yoga." Thursday, Aug. 14, 10-11:30 a.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. A four-week series to give participants an opportunity to explore Qi Gong with Barbara Balsamo, combining gentle movements, deep breathing and meditation. Registration is appreciated. Call 703-698-2841 for information and registration, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
United Ostomy Association Northern Virginia Chapter will not meet in August. The next meeting will be Sept. 7.
Prostate Cancer Support Group (an "Us Too" affiliate). This group will not meet in August. The next meeting will be Sept. 9.
Breast Cancer Group. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Semi-monthly support group for women living with early-stage breast cancer. Use the Blue parking garage. Call 703-698-2841 for more information.
Caregivers Meeting. Wednesdays, Aug. 13, 20 and 27, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, information related to cancer and it treatment, and more. Use the Blue parking garage. Call 703-698-2841 for more information.
Spirituality Quest. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room E, Fairfax. "What is Real? Finding the Velveteen Rabbit Within Ourselves." Explore the meaning of spirituality for each other. Registration is required. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
GYN Cancer Group. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5:30-7 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E, Fairfax. Women diagnosed with ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancers are invited to drop in and share experiences. Group facilitated by an oncology counselor. For more information, call 703-698-2841.
Heads Up! Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Educational support group for current and former head and neck cancer patients and their significant others. Use the Blue parking garage. Call 703-698-2841 for more information.
La Leche League of Fairfax City will host its next meeting on Aug. 13, at 10 a.m. The topic is "Nutrition and Weaning." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Meeting location is Fairfax Christian Church, 10185 Main St. Free. For more information or questions, call a La Leche League Leader at 703-471-7762 or 703-385-0527.
Good Grief Reunion. Thursday, Aug. 14, 7:15-9 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B, Fairfax. Anyone who has participated in the "Good Grief" adult program in the past three years is invited to attend this reunion. Refreshments. Registration is required by Aug. 12. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Carcinoid Cancer Group. Saturday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E, Fairfax. Chance for carcinoid cancer patients, their adult family members or friends to share experiences and information. For more information, call 703-698-2841.
Teens Meet and Eat. Wednesday, Aug. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Eat and hang out with other teens who have cancer. Share concerns with others who are 13-18 years old. Registration is required. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Young Adults with Cancer. Tuesday, Aug. 19, 7:30-9 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room A, Fairfax. Meet with others ages "18 to 30-something" to discuss such issues as sexuality, dating, body image, work and health insurance concerns. Registration is required. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
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: Aug. 20, Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 17. For more information, visit www.icanofnova.org/ or call 703-237-6136.
Lung Cancer Group. Wednesday, Aug. 20, 5:30-7 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B, Fairfax. Join fellow lung cancer patients and family members on the third Wednesday of each month to discuss the challenges of living with lung cancer and its treatments. Facilitated by an oncology counselor. For more information, call 703-698-2841.
Colo-rectal Cancer Group. Thursday, Aug. 21, 4:30-6 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room 1E, Fairfax. Meet others affected by colo-rectal cancer. For more information, call 703-698-2841.
Writing for Wellness: Am I an Artist at Life? Thursday, Aug. 21, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B, Fairfax. Learn to utilize art, poetry, music and guided imagery to live in the moment. Registration necessary by Aug. 18. For more information, call 703-698-2841.
Mini Camp for Children with a Family Member with Cancer. Thursday and Friday, Aug. 28 and 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Two, six-hour days consisting of art activities, educational sessions, discussions of feelings and games designed to help children ages 5-12 who have a loved one with cancer. Snack and lunch will be provided. Ronald McDonald House on the Fairfax Hospital Campus. Registration is required. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
The United Ostomy Association, Northern Virginia Chapter, will host its monthly support group meeting on Sunday, Sept. 7, at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, in conference rooms D-E-F, located above Skylight Cafe. There will be refreshments and socializing at 1:30 p.m., and a meeting from 2-3:30 p.m. The program will report on UOA's national conference in Las Vegas. Learn about UOA's visiting program, as discussed and detailed by director Betty Anna Louick. No admission fee. Parking in Blue garage. For information, call 703-802-3457.
La Leche League of Fairfax City will host its next meeting on Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. The topic is "The Advantages of Breastfeeding to Mother and Baby." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Meeting location is Fairfax Christian Church, 10185 Main St. Free. For more information or questions, call a La Leche League Leader at 703-255-6808 or 703-280-0986.
Gardening enthusiasts living with rheumatoid arthritis meeting. Learn from a master gardener how to design an arthritis-friendly garden. A rheumatologist will discuss rheumatoid arthritis and the latest treatments; an occupational therapist will talk about the physical and psychological benefits of gardening. Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 6:30 - 8 p.m., at the Marriot in Tyson's Corner, 8028 Leesburg Pike. The event is free. R.S.V.P. at 1-877-99-CANDO.
La Leche League of Burke meets on the first Saturday of each month, at 9:30 a.m. Meetings take place at the Burke Presbyterian Church on Oak Leather Drive off of Burke Center Parkway. The next meeting will be on Saturday, Sept. 6. The breast feeding support group offers help and support to mothers who are currently breast feeding a child or anyone who plans to breastfeed. Expectant and new mothers are encouraged to attend. The topic will be the advantages of breast feeding, 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.
TLC: Teens Living with Cancer. Monthly social activities for 13 to 18-year-olds who have cancer at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Registration is required. Call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Melanoma Meeting. This fall, the Life with Cancer Inova Health System Program will start a meeting for individuals with melanoma. Call to indicate interest or for more information: 703-698-2841. Visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Inova HealthSource needs over 200 adult volunteers to operate "Flu Clinics." Clinics will be located at local Safeways and other public locations during October through December. Volunteers will assist nurses for four-hour shifts. Attendance to a training session is mandatory. For more information, contact Marion Hart at 703-916-2885.
Good Grief for Children. Children 5-12 years old meet in age-appropriate groups for activities and art therapy. Children can express feelings to help with the grief process. Group forming. Call Jenny Eckert, MSW, at 703-208-5623.
Good Grief for Teens. Teenagers 13-18 years old meet in age-appropriate groups for activities and art therapy. Participants can express feelings to help with the grief process. Group forming. Call Jenny Eckert, MSW, at 703-208-5623.
The Jewish Social Service Agency is offering social skills and therapy groups for children. In small, age-appropriate groups, children who have difficulty in social situations learn and practice appropriate behaviors such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Cost is $55/$65 per session; may be reimbursable by insurance. Call 703-204-9100 to register.