<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.
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.