CanSurvive. Patient-led, drop-in lunchtime support group for those dealing with any type of cancer. Thursdays, April 27 from noon-1:30 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. Call 301-610-9146 or visit can-survive.net.
The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia LLC presents their annual Ostomy Products and Services Fair Sunday, May 7 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Physicians' Conference Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. Representatives include Hollister, ConvaTec, Byram, Alzheimer's Association, Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, Capitol Financial Partners, Life With Cancer, Capital Hospice and more. No admission fee; refreshments, raffles, door prizes. Parking in Blue garage. Call 703-802-3457 or visit ostomysupportofnova.org.
NOVA CHADD, serving individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder holds its monthly speaker meeting May 18 at 7:30 p.m. in James Madison High School's library, near door 1 at 2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna. Meeting will feature diet and exercise hands-on props for all ages. Guest speaker Michelle Dymant will speak on nutrition. E-mail nova_chadd@hotmail.com, call 703-641-5451 or visit www.novachadd.com. Free and open to the public.
NOVA CHADD, serving individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder holds its monthly speaker meeting June 15 at 7:30 p.m. in James Madison High School's library, near door 1 at 2500 James Madison Drive, Vienna. Meeting will feature summer learning. E-mail nova_chadd@hotmail.com, call 703-641-5451 or visit www.novachadd.com. Free and open to the public.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a national non-profit group whose members help each other understand the pressures to eat and the ways to resist. Call 703-273-3741 or 703-532-3213.
Support meetings for parents of children with AD/HD are held every first Wednesday of the month at 7:15 p.m. at the offices of Annette Spector located at 6845 Elm Street, Ste. 710, McLean. E-mail Annette Spector, MS.Ed at Aspector@DER-online.com, call 703.641.5451 or visit www.novachadd.org. Free and open to the public.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsors the “First Connection” program, which matches patients newly diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood-related cancer — and their families — with cancer survivors who have lived through a similar illness. Call 703-960-1100, ext. 231.
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.
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 parking garage. Meetings held at Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, radiation oncology conference room, at 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Call 703-698-2841 for registration and information.
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 at 703-777-1708.
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 free in the garage for cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. Call Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120 or e-mail asgnva@earthlink.net for more information.
Sunrise Assisted Living of Oakton offers a short-term stay program for aging persons. Fees vary depending on the community and personal care needs. Three meals per day are included. Program is designed for a week's stay to several months. Call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Oakton is located at 10322 Blake Lane, Oakton.
Balance and Beyond. Persons with Parkinson’s Disease who can walk unassisted are invited to join a balance class that meets weekly on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. The classes are sanctioned by the Parkinson Foundation for the National Capital Area (PFNCA) and are led by a certified instructor of the American Senior Fitness Association. For session dates, fees and information, contact Cheryl Bartholomew at 703-281-1560. To register, call 703-255-6360 and specify the “Balance and Beyond” class.
Body and Soul Cardio and Strength Training classes take place at the following locations this fall:
* Active for Life/Low Impact. Fridays, from 9:15-10:30 a.m., at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna. For more, call Lynn Mosteller at 703-698-8624.
* Active for Life/Low Impact. Mondays, from 9:15-10:30 a.m. at Epiphany United Methodist Church, 1014 Country Club Drive N.E., Vienna. For more, call Lynn Mosteller at 703-698-8624.
* Body and Soul. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:45-11 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2381 Cedar Lane, Vienna. For more, call Lynne Brents at 703-242-8826.
Heart and Sole. Persons with Parkinson’s Disease are invited to join an exercise class that meets weekly on Fridays or Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E., Vienna. The classes are sanctioned by the Parkinson Foundation for the National Capital Area (PFNCA) and are led by a certified instructor of the American Senior Fitness Association. Care partners and family members are welcome to come and assist the PD patient. For session dates, fees and information, call Cheryl Bartholomew at 703-281-1560. To register, call 703-255-6360 and specify the “Heart and Sole” class.
Virginia Health Information. VHI, a nonprofit, independent organization, has published information on its Web site, www.vhi.org, reporting on the in-patient cardiac care provided at all licensed hospitals in Virginia. The information compares their performance and mortality outcomes. VHI’s study is based on over 100,000 cardiac patient discharges submitted by Virginia hospitals for the year 2000.
A group of 33 trainees graduated recently from Oakton-based Northern Virginia Family Service’s newest Training Futures program, making them the first cycle to start on new career paths within the health care industry. Training Futures brings together low-income Northern Virginia adults who want a better life for their families through better jobs, and area businesses that need technology-savvy administrative staff. program enrolls 140 trainees annually at its two sites: Springfield and Tysons Corner.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is offering several telephone support groups for people considering transplant treatment. Each session features a different topic. Contact the Society for a registration form and get a toll free number to call. Dial in at 7:30 p.m. to be connected to the group. Contact Darcy Richards-Bauer at 703-960-1100, ext. 238, or richardsd@lls.org. Pre-registration is required.
Suicide Survivors Support Group. Haven of Northern Virginia offers a free six-week support group for anyone whose loved one has died by suicide. The group will meet from 7:30-9 p.m. at Haven, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Registration is required. Call Haven at 703-941-7000 or e-mail havenofnova@verizon.net.
Free Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking course. The Cancer Project, a national nonprofit, is offering a free, four-week cooking course designed to help residents prevent and survive cancer through proper diet and nutrition. Each class centers on cancer-nutrition topics, as local chef Sandra Maderos guides students through the preparation of tasty and easy-to-prepare recipes. Classes are Mondays, through May 22, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at McLean Bible Church, 8925 Leesburg Pike. The class lineup is as follows:
May 8: Planning Healthy Meals/ Antioxidants and Phytochemicals.
May 22: Immune-Boosting Foods/ Maintaining a Healthy Weight.
To register contact Karen Marinov at 703-674-7982. For information visit www.cancerproject.org or call 202-244-5038.
Good Grief for Children 5-12. Beginning of an eight-week group with age-appropriate activities, discussion and art therapy to help children share thoughts and feelings to help with the grief process. Mondays from 5-6:15 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. Call Jenny Eckert, children's program manager, at 703-208-5623 to register or for more information.
Metastatic Breast Cancer Counseling. Individual counseling for those, and/or their partners, dealing specifically with metastatic breast cancer, is available. Call Sage Bolte, LCSW, breast cancer counselor at 703-208-5620 for an appointment.
Multiple sclerosis support group. For anyone with multiple sclerosis and/or their friends and family. 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of every month at Vienna Presbyterian Church, 124 Park St., N.E. Sponsored by the National Capital Chapter of the MS Society. Call 703-768-4841.
Shoplifters Anonymous Meeting. A 12-step meeting which meets every Thursday from 7-8 p.m. at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 7628 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church. Call 703-475-9278 or e-mail hpower60@verizon.net.
Seated Motion: A fitness instructor will guide the class through exercises for people while sitting in a chair. Wednesdays at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1E. Call 301-610-9146 or visit www.can-survive.net from 2-2:45 p.m. Free.
CanSurvive is a patient-led, drop-in, lunchtime, general cancer support group for those dealing with any type of cancer. From 12-1:30 p.m., Thursdays at Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., room 1B. Call 301-610-9146 or visit www.can-survive.net. Free.
Family members of those suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder meet the first Mondays of every month from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington. Call 703-250-1126.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Support Group meets the every Monday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane, Arlington. Call 703-250-1126.
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.
Inova Blood Donor Services has opened a new donor center: Inova Blood Donor Services, 45745 Nokes Blvd., Dulles. Hours are Sunday, noon-4 p.m., Monday, noon-8 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday, 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Thursday and Saturday. Call 1-866-256-6372.
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.
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 first Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the North County Government Center, Hunter Mill District supervisor's office, community room, at 12000 Bowman Towne Drive.
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.
Great Falls Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 9220 Georgetown Pike. The Parkinson Foundation welcomes PD patients and family members. They are dedicated to mutual self-help and the enhancement of coping skills for those with Parkinson’s Disease. There is no fee. Contact Glenn Lawrence at 703-406-2732.
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. 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.
Good Grief for Children 5-12 Years Old. Continuation of an eight-week group with age-appropriate activities, discussion and art therapy to help children share their thoughts and feelings and to help with the grief process. Mondays through June 6 from 5-6:15 p.m. at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Suite 203, Room B, Fairfax. Registration is necessary. Call 703-776-2841.
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. A six-week suicide survivors bereavement support group begins Monday, April 8 at 7:30 p.m. and is open, free of charge, to anyone who has had a loved one die by suicide. Reservations required. Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org.
One-on-one support. A volunteer will meet with a person grieving the death of a loved one, as needed, to provide individual support. Volunteers will be carefully selected to match individual needs.
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.