<lst>Seminars for Survivors. The topic will be "Summertime and the Living is Easy," Thursday, July 17, 7:15-9 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. An evening of discussion for cancer veterans to compare and share experiences. Bring something that has been helpful to share with others. Registration is necessary. Call 703-698-2841 for information and registration, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Colo-rectal Cancer Group. Thursday, July 17, 4:30-6 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Learn from others with colorectal cancer and address the issues, concerns, and experiences of patient/survivors, caregivers and friends. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Carcinoid Cancer Group. Saturday, July 19, 10 a.m.-noon, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Nutritionist Monica Warner will give a presentation on nutrition for carcinoid patients. Share experiences and information with others who have carcinoid cancer. Family members are welcome to attend. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
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.
Relaxation and Imagery Techniques. Friday, July 18, 1-2:30 p.m. Learn to take advantage of the mind-body connection by participating in this six-week experiential series of relaxation and imagery techniques proven effective in enhancing quality of life, symptom and stress management and promoting insight. Registration necessary. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Advanced Relaxation and Imagery Techniques. Monday, July 28, 10:30-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. For those who have taken the relaxation and imagery series in the past, this is an opportunity to continue practicing imaging abilities. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
“Nutrition 101.” Tips and information about boosting nutrition and health for the family. The workshop will take place on Wednesday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m., at Twinbrook Shopping Center, 9567 Braddock Road, Fairfax. To reserve seats, call 703-425-0048.
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.
"Epilepsy in Adolescence." A presentation by Pavel Klein of Georgetown University Hospital. Monday, July 28, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Parents of Children with Epilepsy meeting, at the Braddock supervisor's office in the meeting room. The group meets on the fourth Friday of every month.
Good Grief for Children 5-12 years old. Meetings are Mondays, July 14, 21 and 28, and Aug. 4, 11 and 18 from 6-7 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., suite 203, room B. Through age-appropriate group activities and art therapy, children can share thoughts and feelings to help with the grief process. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Caregivers Meeting. Meeting dates are Wednesdays, July 16, 23 and 30, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Meetings are for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer and its treatment and more. Use Blue parking garage. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Breast Cancer Group. Wednesday, July 16, 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 Blue parking garage. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Children's Educational Support Program. Meeting dates are Wednesdays, July 16, 23 and 30, Aug. 6, 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.
Combining Modalities for Better Health. Monday, July 21, 7:15-8:45 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Linda Stalvey presents an integrative approach to physical, mental and emotional support through light touch modalities, featuring croniosacral therapy and "reiki," in conjuction with meditation and sound. Registration is appreciated. Call 703-698-2841 for information and registration, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Medication consultation. Thursday, July 24, 7-9 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Private meetings with an Inova Fairfax Hospital pharmacist will be available to answer questions about specific medications. Registration required by July 10. Call 703-698-2841 for information and registration, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Qi Gong, "Chinese yoga." Thursdays, July 24 and 31, Aug. 7 and 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.
Pre-school group. Thursdays, July 24 and 31, 10-11 a.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., suite 203, room B. This group, for three- and four-year-olds whose family member has cancer, will help pre-schoolers learn a little more about cancer through age-appropriate discussion, games and art. Call 703-698-2841 for information, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs. Monday, July 28, 7:15-8:45 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Shep Saltzman, RN and Licensed Acupuncturist provides an introduction on how to integrate Chinese medicine with western medicine to treat pain, side effects of chemo therapy and radiation and to promote healing. Registration is appreciated. Call 703-698-2841 for information and registration, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
La Leche League of Burke, Northern Virginia's only weekend La Leche League meeting, 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 Saturday, Aug. 2. 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 more information, contact Leslie at 703-256-2754 or Marisa at 703-323-7301.
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.
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.
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.
Social skills mini-camps with The Jewish Social Service Agency. For children ages 7-10 who have difficulty making friends. The camp takes place July 7-July 30, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m.- noon, at 3018 Javier Road, second floor, Fairfax. In small groups, children will learn how to improve their social skills, deal with teasing and boost their self-esteem through arts and crafts projects. They will also learn cooperation and teamwork through games and role-playing. The camp will cost $300.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month, 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Springfield. No charge; patients and family members welcome. Call Michel Margosis for more information, 703-569-2630.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month beginning in August at Little River Glen, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge. Patients and family members welcome. Call 703-891-0821 for more information.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets at 10 a.m. every Wednesday beginning Aug. 6 at Little River Glen, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge. Patients and family members welcome. For more information, call Victor Gault at 703-383-5830.
Good Grief for Teenagers 13-18 years old. Meetings on Mondays to be decided, 7:30-8:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., suite 203, room B. Through group activities and art therapy, teens can share thoughts and feelings about their loss to help with the grief process. Call 703-698-2841 for information and upcoming group schedule, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation has awarded Inova Health System a $5 million challenge grant to develop the Claude Moore Health Education Center on the campus of Inova Fairfax Hospital/Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children. This is the largest grant ever awarded to Inova Health System. The grant will fund an educational facility to train physicians, nurses and allied health professionals and expand the medical knowledge of health care professionals throughout Virginia.
Parent-to-Parent, a support group for parents of young children with special needs, co-sponsored by Jewish Social Service Agency and the Board of Jewish Education, Northern Virginia. Fourth Friday of every month at a location to be announced. $65/individual, $90/couple for entire series, $10/session for drop-ins. 301-255-1944.
New Mom's Group meets at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. New mom and baby topics and concerns, including breast-feeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates the group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Ongoing, Thursdays 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. For the convenience of new moms, no preregistration needed. $5/session. Call 703-204-6455.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church.
The Caregivers Meeting is a weekly drop-in group for family members and friends of those with cancer to discuss various concerns. Wednesdays, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital in the Radiation Oncology Conference Room. Use the blue garage. 703-698-2841 or visit lifewithcancer.org.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. For schedules, call 1-866-259-0042.
Burke/Springfield/Fairfax Compassionate Friends Support Group offers friendship and understanding to families grieving the death of a child. The support group meets monthly at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-425-9504.
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.