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.
All About Wigs. Wig specialist Laura Waites provides information on how to shop for a wig and how to care for and style your wig. A variety of "alternative hair" products will be available for demonstration. Wednesday, March 23 from 7-8 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room A. Please register by day before class. Call 703-208-5623.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. Meet with others who have hereditary or secondary lymphedema resulting from surgery, radiation or trauma to the lymphatic system. A certified lymphedema therapist and an oncology counselor will facilitate discussion about physical and emotional concerns. Wednesday, March 23 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1E. Call 703-208-5623.
Young Adult Group. Meet with others, ages 18 to 30-something, to discuss issues such as intimacy, dating, body image, work and health insurance concerns, treatment side effects, fears of recurrence and sustaining a normal lifestyle. Thursday, March 24 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room A. Call 703-208-5623.
Colorectal Cancer Group. Dr. Donald Colvin provides a "Medical Update on Colorectal Cancer." Thursday, March 24 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1E. Register by March 21 at 703-208-5623.
Learning More About Auyurvedic Medicine. Auyurvedic practitioners David Mathis, M.K., and Debbie Mathis, M.A., combine the stringths of western family medicine and eastern Auyurveda. Auyurvedic therapies include diet and daily routine, herbs, massage, yoga and meditation, thus addressing the person as a whole. Monday, March 28 from 7:15-8:45 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1B. Register by March 25 at 703-208-5623.
Expressing Yourself through Color: "Spiritbeads." Artist Debbie Gudelsky will explain the symbolism of color as it relates to our lives. We will apply what we learn to design our own 'spiritbead" project. Wednesday, March 30 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Call Jenny Eckert, children's program manager, at 703-208-5623.
Celiac Disease Lectures and Workshops. April 3 from noon-8:30 p.m. at Sheraton Premiere at Tysons Corner, 8661 Leesburg Pike. Free and open to the public. At the CSA/USA Regional Conference learn about living and loving every aspect of the gluten-free life. Includes adult and children's programs and workshops. Practical guidelines on preparing for social events and discovering wonderful ways for children to feel special and not set apart. Call 703-471-5047, e-mail mvineyard40@comcast.net or visit www.csaceliacs.org/RegConfChp100.php.
United Ostomy Association, Northern Virginia Chapter's monthly support group meeting is April 3 at Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church, in the Physicians' Conference Center. Fellowship and refreshments begin at 1:30 p.m. At 2 p.m., Dr. Dan Albrant, a pharmacist with great experience with ostomates, will discuss prescription and over-the-counter medications, actions, interactions and much more, particularly in regard to the unique requirements of ostomates. There will also be an "Ask the Pharmacist" question-and-answer. No admittance fee. Anyone interested welcome to attend; parking in Blue garage is free with ticket stamped at meeting. Call 703-802-3457 or visit www.novachapteruoa.org.
Drunk Driving Victim Support Group. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) of Northern Virginia sponsors groups for injured victims and for relatives and friends of those who have been killed in drunk driving crashes. The next Injured Victim Support Group meeting will be held Tuesday, April 5 at 7 p.m. New participants are always welcome. Free. For more information call 703-978-3025.
Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia Meeting. Amputees, their families and friends are invited to attend. April 5 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Gemini Room of the Telstar Court Building, 2990 Telstar Court, Falls Church. Meeting and parking are free. Call Joce Graham at 703-256-0245.
Packing It All In: Vacation Planning and the Person with Dementia. Presented by Vinson Hall Corporation and the Alzheimer's Association. A light dinner will be provided, and complimentary respite care will be available for attendees. Please give us 48 hours' notice if respite care is needed. Wednesday, April 6 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Sylvestery, 1728 Kirby Road, McLean. RSVP to Kim at 703-970-2700. Space is limited.
Avoiding Financial Pitfalls When Paying for Long-Term Care. Mary Anne Ibach and Tom West, financial planners, discuss cash flow planning, asset management and liquidation strategies while paying for long-term care. Wednesday, May 25 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Lewinsville Adult Day Health Care Center, 1609 Great Falls St. Free. Registration not required, but recommended. To register or request accommodations, call 703-324-5205/TTY 703-449-1186. For directions, call 703-734-1718.
Reston Epilepsy Group meets the second and fourth Friday of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at Herndon High School, Entrance 5, Room 123, 700 Bennett St., Herndon.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group, a support group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and their caregivers, meets every Wednesday from 7-8 p.m. at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church.
Coalesce I: Metastatic Breast Cancer Support Group. Meets Fridays in the late morning at Inova Fairfax Women’s Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Registration is required. Call Sage Bolte, M.S.W., breast cancer counselor, for time, information and to register at 703-208-5620.
Walk-in Cholesterol Testing. No physician’s request or appointment needed, and results are mailed directly to a residence. Tests include glucose, cholesterol, lipid profile, PSA, glycohemoglobin and lead. Test costs range from $5 to $15. Check or money order accepted. Inova Patient Service Center, 110 Maple Ave. E., Suite 110, Vienna; Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed 12:30-1 p.m. daily. Call 703-938-4039 for more information. Full-service testing with physician’s prescription also available.
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. Interested participants must call ahead. For schedules and more information, contact Leon Paparella at 202-966-4450.
The Parkinson's Disease Young Onset Support Group meets on the first Wednesday 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 Tuesday 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.
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.
Partners of Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer Partners' Meeting. Facilitated by an oncology counselor, partners of women with metastatic breast cancer meet on a monthly basis at the Silver Diner to relate to others who are faced with similar challenges. Call Sage Bolte, MSW, breast cancer counselor, 703-208-5620, for information, including day, time and location.
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.
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 703-776-2841 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 703-776-2841 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.
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.