<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.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group, a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers, meets Nov. 5, 12, 19, from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Free. For more information, call 703-425-6660.
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).
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 two meetings are Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. For more information, call Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, ext. 3026 or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
The Northern Virginia Respite Care Consortium presents its 17th annual conference: "All Aboard: Transitions through Trying Times with Dementia" on Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., at Goodwin House West, 3440 South Jefferson St., Falls Church. Conference topics include: Alzheimer's and aging policies; moving persons with dementia; personal care theories and practices; and medications. Registration fee is $25 for family caregivers; $35 for professionals and paid caregivers, and includes continental breakfast, lunch and conference materials. Call toll-free 1-866-259-0042 for more information and/or to register.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy Burke, a support group for parents of children of all ages diagnosed with seizure Disorders meets Nov. 17, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Braddock Supervisors Office, Meeting Room, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Free. For more information, call 703-425-6660.
"Migraine Headaches and the Association to Seizure Disorders" will be presented by Pavel Klein, M.B., B. Chir., Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy & Sleep Center, on Wednesday, Nov, 19, from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., at Falls Church High School, cafeteria, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church. Free. For more information, call 703-425-6660.
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.
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 Wednesday, Nov. 19, 7:30-9 p.m., for Thanksgiving support, 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.
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.
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.
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.