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.
"Cancer Horizons," Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center's annual open house, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in the Physicians Conference Center. This free event will feature the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cokie Roberts, an award-winning broadcast journalist and breast cancer survivor, will speak about her battle with cancer. For more information, visit www.inova.org/cancer or call 703-204-3366.
Suicide Survivors Support Group. This six-week program, sponsored by Haven of Northern Virginia, begins Monday, Oct. 18, 7-9:30 p.m. The program helps survivors deal with the feelings of anger, guilt and rejection that can accompany this kind of grief. There is no charge for the group. Space is limited. Registration is required. Call 703-941-7000. Haven also offers a monthly suicide survivor’s support group on the first Tuesday of every month from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Haven of Northern Virginia is located at 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Visit www.havenofnova.org.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, at 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Springfield. The next meeting is Oct. 23. Free; patients and family members welcome. Call Michel Margosis for more information, 703-569-2630.
La Leche League of Burke, Northern Virginia's only weekend La Leche League meeting, meets the first Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m., at the Burke Presbyterian Church on Oak Leather Drive off of Burke Center Parkway. The next meeting is Saturday, Nov. 1. 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 "The Art of Breastfeeding and Avoiding Difficulties," 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.
United Ostomy Association Inc., Northern Virginia Chapter hosts its monthly support group meeting on Sunday, Nov. 2, in Conference rooms D-E-F, at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Refreshments and social hour begin at 1:30 p.m., with the program running from 2-3:30 p.m. UOA's Kathleen Feeney, will discuss "Advocacy: negotiating your way through the health system". Anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. No admission fee. Parking in Blue garage. For more information, call UOA at 703-802-3457.
Flu Shots. Harris Teeter is offering flu shots at all stores for at least one four-hour period through Nov. 8. Flu shots will be available to all Harris Teeter customers for $20 each, $19 with a VIC card or at no charge for those who are Medicare Part B, non-HMO recipients with a card. Licensed nurses will administer the shots. Check with a local store for the schedule. The pneumonia vaccine shots are available for $25. To find out more about the flu shot, visit www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flue/fluvirus.htm or call the National Immunization Hotline at 1-800-232-2522 (English) or 1-800-232-0233 (Spanish).
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.
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, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For class schedule and more information, call Victor Gault at 703-383-5830.
Good Grief Bereavement Group. On Tuesdays through Nov. 18, 7:15-9 p.m., this education, discussion and support group for adults who have lost a loved one to cancer within the past year will teach about grief, common reactions and challenges within a group of people on a similar journey. Facilitated by oncology counselors. Pre-registration is a must. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Room B. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets at 2 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month. The next meeting is Nov. 20, at Little River Glen, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. No charge; patients and family members welcome. For more information, call 703-891-0821.
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.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month, at 1 p.m., at Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. For more information, call the Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, ext. 3026.
Teens' Educational Support Program. A new eight-week program for teenagers 13-18 is forming for Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Through discussion and activities, participants can express themselves and understand the changes that come when someone in the family has cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B. Call 703-208-5623 for upcoming schedule.
Good Grief for Teens. For those 13-18 years old, group activities and art therapy will help teenagers share thoughts and feelings about loss and help with the grief process. On Mondays, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Call for upcoming group schedule. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org to register.
TLC: Teens Living with Cancer. Monthly social activities for 13 to 18-year-olds who have cancer give them a chance to meet others with cancer, share a little have fun. Call 703-208-5623 for details. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., at Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. For more information call the Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, Ext. 3026 or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
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.
Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekly on Wednesdays, at 10 a.m., 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.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy-Burke is a support group for parents of children of all ages diagnosed with seizure disorders. It meets the fourth Monday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Braddock Supervisors Office, Meeting Room, 9002 Burke Lake Road. The next meeting is Sept. 22. Free of charge, for additional information, call 703-425-6660.
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group. Meets the third Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m., at Manor Care of Fair Oaks, 12475 Lee Jackson Highway. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and care giving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit. Call Anita Newsome, group leader, at 703- 352-7172 prior to attending for the first time.
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.
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.
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 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Financial Aid program offers people up to $5,500 a year to help pay for chemotherapeutic medication, transportation and blood work associated with cancer treatment to those with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood-related cancers. To get an application for the program, call 703-960-1100, Ext. 231, 1-888-576-6878, or e-mail singers@dc-cap.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
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.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy, a support group for parents of children of all ages diagnosed with seizure disorders, meets the fourth Monday of each month, 7-8 p.m., at the Braddock supervisor's office in the meeting room, 9002 Burke Lake Road. For more information, call Dana Douglas at 703-425-6660.
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.
Social Skills Group for children who have difficulty in social situations will meet at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, second floor, Fairfax. In small, age-appropriate groups, children can 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. Call 703-204-9100 for dates and times. $55/65 a session, may be insurance-reimbursable.
"You and Your Aging Parents" will meet at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, second floor, Fairfax, on the second Monday of each month, September–December, from 7-8:30 p.m. Adult children with aging parents meet to discuss communicating about sensitive issues, responsibilities to parents, responsibilities to family and the need for time to yourself. Call 703-204-9100. $15 a session.
Recovery Inc., 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.
Chapter 5300 of the AARP meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield in the theater at Village Square at 1 p.m.
Schedule a home safety survey to spot any fire or life safety hazards. The life safety education officer or a City of Fairfax fire inspector will perform a home walk-through to inspect all smoke detectors, review fire escape plans, check to see that all emergency numbers are posted, scan for other safety hazards and make suggestions to remedy any problems. Call Lt. John Henderson at 703-273-8109 to make an appointment.
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.