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.
Teens' Meet and Eat. Eat, hang out and have fun with other teens (13-18 years old) who have a family member with cancer. Wednesday, May 4 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Registration is necessary. Call 703-208-5623.
Children's Educational Support Program. Continuation of an eight-week group with discussion and activities for children ages 5-12. Participants learn about cancer and find ways to manage the emotions and changes that come when someone in the family has cancer. Wednesdays, May 4, 11, 18 and 25 at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Registration is necessary. Call 703-208-5623.
Breast Cancer: A Tour of Care — Pre-Op Classes for Lumpectomy and/or Nodal Biopsy. A breast cancer nurse educator will provide information and support for women who have scheduled a lumpectomy and/or nodal biopsy. Wednesdays, May 4 and 18 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1B. Call 703-776-2820 to register.
Breast Cancer Group. Semi-monthly support group for women living with early stage breast cancer, facilitated by an oncology counselor. Wednesdays, May 4 and 18 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children's Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use Blue parking garage. Call 703-776-2841.
Seated Motion. Continuation of a chair-based exercise program that increases the heart rate, tones and strengthens muscles and increases range of motion and flexibility. Instructor adapts exercises to individual participants. Wednesdays, May 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 1:15-2 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1E. Call 703-776-2841.
Caregivers Meeting. Meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern, including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer, its treatment and more. Wednesdays, May 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children's Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Use Blue parking garage. May 18 meeting features the presentation, "Managing Caregiver Stress," with an oncology counselor. Call 703-776-2841.
Melanoma Group Meeting: Special Annual Seminar. Dermatologist Robert Silverman and medical oncologist Roy Beveridge provide an overview of melanoma and its treatments at this special annual meeting for patients, family and friends impacted by melanoma. Light refreshments. Thursday, May 5 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1B. Register by May 2. Call 703-776-2841.
CanSurvive. Patient-led, drop-in, lunchtime, general cancer support group for those dealing with any type of cancer. Thursdays, May 5, 12, 19 and 26 from noon-1:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1B. For more information call 301-610-9146.
Thyroid Cancer Support Group. Thyroid cancer survivors and their adult loved ones are invited to share information and support in this monthly meeting. Saturday, May 7 from 10:30 a.m.-noon. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Room 1E. Call 1-877-588-7904.
Look Good ... Feel Better. A professional cosmetologist shares skin, hair and cosmetic tips to help you look your best before, during or after treatment. Tuesday, May 10 from 7-9 p.m. at at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Registration is necessary. Call 703-776-2841.
The May 11 meeting of the Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers will meet from 7:30-8:30 and will feature guest speaker Pavel Klein, M.B., presenting "Sleep, Stress: Things That Can Bring Out Seizures?" The group meets at Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, Room 100.
Diet and a Healthy You. Dietician and fitness expert Julie Thorsen RD, will discuss importance of good diet and physical activity for Cancer survivors on Monday, May 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Registration is necessary. Call 703-776-2841.
Good Grief Dinner for Teens 13-18 yrs. Monthly dinner gives teens opportunity to talk about thoughts and feelings related to loss of loved ones to Cancer. held Wednesday, May 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax, Suite 203, Room B. Registration is necessary. Call 703-776-2841.
Drunk Driving Victim Support Group. Mothers Against Drunk Driving sponsors a group for injured victims and for relatives and friends of those who have been killed in drunk driving crashes. New participants are always welcome. Free. Call 703-978-3025 for location and information.
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.
Depressive and Manic Depressive Group meets on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. at Sunrise of Falls Church, 200 N. Washington St., Falls Church. Call Marshall Epstein at 703-641-5460.
Schizophrenia/Schizoaffective Disorders Support Group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, 3302 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Call Loren Booda at 703-524-9474.
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.