Donate Blood. There is an urgent need for donors with all blood types. Inova Blood Donor Services is open weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at its main location at 3289 Woodburn Road in Annandale. To inquire about appointments at a convenient donor center or blood drive, call 1-866-BLOOD SAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.
Other Inova blood donation sites are Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria, 703-504-3500; Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parker's Lane, Alexandria, 703-664-7229; CentreMed, Centreville, 703-322-1970.
Individual Reiki Appointments. Schedule an individual session with a certified Reiki practitioner, and experience the benefits of this ancient healing practice. Dress comfortably. Appointments are available Monday, June 7, or Wednesday, June 16, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Register by the preceding Friday. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
GYN Cancer Group. On Wednesday, June 9, 5:30-7 p.m., women diagnosed with ovarian, cervical and endometrial cancers are invited to drop in, share experiences and learn from one another in this monthly meeting. Facilitated by an oncology counselor and a nurse. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Head's Up! On Wednesday, June 9, 5:30-7 p.m., this educational support group for current and former head and neck cancer patients and significant others meets at Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use the Blue parking garage.
Caregivers Meeting. On Wednesdays, June 9, 23 and 30, 7:30-9 p.m., family members can discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer and more. At Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use the Blue parking garage.
Children's Educational Support Program. Wednesdays, June 9-28, 5:15-6:15. New eight-week discussion and activities group for children 5-12 who are learning to cope with someone in the family having cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
Leukemia Group. On Thursday, June 10, 7-9 p.m., family and friends are welcome to attend this educational support group. Co-sponsored with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Expressive Arts: Spiritbeads. Thursday, June 10, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. String beads to reflect one's purpose in life. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org. Register by June 7.
Couples Workshop. Saturday, June 12, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room B. This monthly support group includes discussion, exercises and support to help couples through the difficult times after a cancer diagnosis. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org. Register by June 7.
Qi Gong. Mondays, June 14, 21 and 28, 7-9 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room 1E. Qi Gong is the ancient healing art of combining gentle movement with deep breathing and meditation. Register by June 11. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Young Adult Group. Tuesday, June 15, 7:30-9 p.m., meet with others ages 18 to 30-something to discuss issues such as sexuality, dating, body image, work and health insurance concerns, treatment side effects, fears of recurrence, and sustaining a normal lifestyle after a cancer diagnosis. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1A. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Multiple Myeloma Group. Tuesday, June 15, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Writings for Wellness. Wednesday, June 16, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. Use the beauty of literature and the healing power of writing to explore thoughts and emotions. Register by previous Monday. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lung Cancer Group, "Managing Side Effects." Wednesday, June 16, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Breast Cancer Group. On Wednesday June 16, 5:30-7 p.m., this semi-monthly support group for women with early-stage breast cancer will convene. At Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use the Blue parking garage. Visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Colorectal Cancer Group, "Coping with a New Diagnosis." On Thursday, June 17, 5:30-7 p.m., a social worker provides overview and discussion of common reactions and helpful coping strategies when dealing with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
The Life With Cancer Family Center sponsors a field trip to the Garden of Cancer-Fighting Plants on Friday, June 18, at 10:15 a.m., at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Visitor Center, Vienna. Keith Tomlinson, garden manager, will provide an overview of the collection and talk about research with medicinal plants. Event takes place rain or shine. For more information or for directions call 703-255-3631, Ext. 3. Must register by Monday, June 14.
Reiki Jin Ken Do. Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Reiki can help reduce pain and promote recovery from injury and illness. Register by June 7. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. On Wednesday, June 23, 7-8:30 p.m., meet with others who have hereditary or secondary lymphedema resulting from surgery, radiation or trauma to the lymphatic system. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Good Grief Dinner for Teens. Teenagers 13-18 who have lost a family member to cancer are invited to have dinner and share thoughts and feelings about the loss to help the grief process. Wednesday, June 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call Jenny Eckert at 703-208-5623.
After the First Year. Thursday, June 24, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. Drop in on this monthly group for people have lost a loved one to cancer more than one year ago. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Expressive Arts: Painting with Watercolors. Thursday, June 24, 10: a.m.-12 p.m. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room B. Register by June 21. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
BMT/Stem Cell Support Group. Thursday, June 24, 12:30-1:30 p.m., at Fairfax-Northern VA Hem-Onc, 8503 Arlington Blvd., #320, Fairfax. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.org.
Kids with Cancer Get-together. Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Ronald McDonald House, at the Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Talk about experiences, play games, do arts and crafts, and have lunch. Parents can meet, talk and share. Registration mandatory. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
"Strength 4 Your Journey." Wednesday, June 30, 7-9 p.m., in recognition of National Cancer Survivors' Month, come hear about a new mode of learning and how to be an advocate for oneself. The presenter is Barbara Murphy, RV, consultant and oncology nurse educator. Register by Monday, June 28. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room 1B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
"Brain Health: Hormones, Neurology and Aging," a seminar presented by instructor Nikita B. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., takes place Thursday, July 29, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at BW Tysons Westpark Hilton, 8401 Westpark Drive, McLean. Tuition is $70 per person with pre-registration, $94 at the door is space still exists. Tuition includes a syllabus. Call 1-800-937-6878 to register. For information, call 1-877-246-6336.
Volunteer Opportunities: Odyssey Healthcare, a hospice provider, is seeking volunteers in the Northern Virginia community to visit and/or assist terminally ill patients and their families during their end-of-life journey. Compassionate individuals with a desire to help one or two hours a week, share with a patient or their family, assist with office support, or help with bereavement care can become an Odyssey volunteer. Training will be provided. Call Karen Baroody at 703-821-9200, or e-mail abaroody@odsyhealth.com.
Individual Nutrition Counseling. Schedule an appointment with Julie Thorsen, registered dietitian for the Cancer Patient Nutrition Support Program at Inova Cancer Center, and learn how to optimize nutrition related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Short-term Counseling Services. A cancer diagnosis often leads to fears about life, and causes disruptions in life. Family members may also experience their own sets of concerns. Short-term counseling can provide an opportunity to discuss challenges and explore ways of coping. For an appointment, call the Life with Cancer office at 703-698-2820.
Parkinson's Disease Support Group. 2-3 p.m., on the second Tuesday of each month, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 2315 South Grant St., Arlington. Free. Patients and family members welcome. For more information, contact Leon Paparella at 202-966-4450.
Parkinson's Disease Support Groups (exercise, patient discussion and care partners) meet weekday mornings at the Cherrydale Baptist Church, 3910 Lorcom Lane, Arlington. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) invites persons with PD and their care partners. Call ahead. For schedules and more information, call Leon at 202-966-4450.
The Parkinson's Disease Young Onset Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Dolley Madison Library lower level meeting room at 1244 Oak Ridge Ave. in McLean. There is no charge. Patients, caregivers and family members are welcome. Call Hilary Blue at 703-821-1393 for more information.
Parkinson's Disease Caregivers/Carepartners Support Group meets third Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, lower level meeting room, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes caregivers and family members. For more information, call Angela Robb, 703-277-9666.
Neurology Epilepsy Support Group, a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers, meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 6 - 7 p.m., at Georgetown University Hospital, Lombardi Cancer Center, Floor 2, Podium A - Conference Room, 3800 Reservoir Road, N.W., Washington, D.C.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m., at the Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria. For more information, call Arthritis Foundation at 202-537-6800, Ext. 3026, or Barbara at 703-913-0890.
The Parkinson's Foundation offers weekly support groups (previously located at the Providence Recreation Center) for patients and caregivers. They meet every Tuesday at 10 and 11 a.m., at the Lewinsville Senior Center, 1609 Great Falls St., McLean. Call 703-891-0821 if interested in joining or for more information.
Medicare beneficiaries in Virginia can now resolve quality of care complaints against health care providers through an optional mediation program that began this fall. The new program, sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, brings together a provider or physician and a patient or his/her representative for a face-to-face meeting facilitated by an impartial mediator and is an alternative to the traditional medical record review process. It is being offered at no cost to the provider or beneficiary. The types of cases eligible for mediation include cases that do not exhibit significant clinical quality-of-care concerns and communications and perception issues that beneficiaries generally translate into quality-of-care complaints. All mediated discussions and outcomes are confidential and cannot be used in other legal proceedings. For more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE or check with the Virginia Health Quality Center, the Medicare quality improvement organization.www.vhqc.org.
Good Grief for Teens. For those 13-18, 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, Fairfax. 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., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
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 Thursdays of each month, 2-3:30 p.m. An evening group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month, from 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 age 21 meets the third Tuesday each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org for more information.
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Groups are facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and caregiving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit.
In Oakton, the group meets the third Monday of the month from 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living (10322 Blake Lane). Call Betty Moore, group leader, at 703-255-2050, before attending for the first time. For a complete listing of Alzheimer’s Association support groups meeting throughout the National Capital Area, call toll-free 1-866-259-0042 or visit www.alz-nca.org. Support groups are subject to change. Contact the support group leader to verify date, time and location.
The Alzheimer's Association of the National Capital Area is starting a new caregiver support group that will meet on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at The Sylvestery, 1728 Kirby Road in McLean. The Sylvestery is Vinson Hall Retirement Community's new assisted living residence for the care of people with memory impairments. Barbara Adams, M.S.W., will be the support group leader .
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Hyperactivity Disorder) of Northern Virginia. A support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7:15 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Contact Annette Spector, aspector@der-online.com, with questions. The support group schedule is also posted online at www.novachadd.org. For more information about these and other upcoming meetings, call 703-641-5451 or e-mail nova_chadd@hotmail.com.
The Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., at the Falls Church High School Career Center, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail. For additional information, call 703-425-6660.
Life with Cancer Caregivers Meeting. Every Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m. Meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer and more. Use Blue Garage. Meetings held at Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, radiation oncology conference room, at 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. 703-698-2841 for registration and information.
Social Skills/Therapy Groups. In small, age-appropriate groups, children who have difficulty in social situations learn and practice appropriate behavior, such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions, and making friends. $55-$65 per session. (May be insurance-reimbursable.) For registration, call the Jewish Social Service Agency at 703-204-9100.
Recovery Inc., a nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous diseases, meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee, 703-777-1708.
The American Red Cross is offering Infant and Child CPR at Dunn Loring United Methodist Church, 2501 Gallows Road, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The fee is $40. To enroll, call 703-964-0004 or visit www.redcrossnca.org.
Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent Today. A chance to make a difference in a child’s life. Call Fairfax County’s Foster Care and Adoption Program at 703-324-7639.
Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia. A support group for amputees, their families and friends. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Physician's Conference Center, Room 1D, first floor, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. There is no cost to participants, and parking is provided free in the garage for cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. Contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120 or e-mail asgnva@earthlink.net for more information.
Depression and Manic Depression Support Group. The Sterling/Reston Chapter of DRADA, meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month, 7-9 p.m. For location, contact Traci at 703-433-1448 or Jan at 703-669-5177. DRADA stands for Depressive and Related Affective Disorders Association, a nonprofit, self-help group sponsored by Johns Hopkins, which has been in existence for over 20 years.
Shoplifters Anonymous. Group offers a new 12-step meeting program for those who wish to stop compulsive shoplifting. The group meets every Thursday, 7-8 p.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Ave. Call Sue at 703-759-0396 or Carol at 703-764-0347 to confirm the meeting date.