Send announcements to the Mount Vernon Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com, by fax to 703-917-0991 or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
District Orthopedic Appliances, Inc. is offering breast cancer patients and survivors the opportunity to be fitted for a custom breast prostheses at a Breast Cancer Support Group meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria. Free. For more information, contact Maureen Broderick 703-504-7921.
The 13th annual Walk to Fight Breast Cancer raised $164,000 in sponsorships, pledges, and donations on Saturday, Oct. 21. Nearly $7,000 of the total was contributed by the second annual Dine Out and Shop for the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer, in which several Alexandria restaurants and stores contributed a portion of their proceeds on Oct. 3 to the walk. Approximately 1,500 walkers and a few pets participated in the event. Prizes were awarded this week to several walkers and teams that raised the most pledges for the walk. The top prize went to Barbara Privatera of the Old Town Post Box, who helped to raise nearly $4,000 for the Walk Fund. All proceeds from the Walk support the Alexandria Breast Cancer Walk Fund, which has provided free mammography screenings at Inova Alexandria Hospital to more than 3,900 Alexandria women since its inception in 1994.
Alexandria Library Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. is hosting two health events geared towards maturing patrons still on the move. On Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., Dr. Shara Posner will give a free workshop on Balancing Hormones Naturally. This holistic, non-drug approach may help women with hormone-related health concerns such as hot flashes, mood swings and more. This workshop is presented by The Doctors’ Speakers Bureau and Alexandria Library. Seating is limited. Call 703-683-7771 to register. On Monday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m., Dr. Wendy Gasch will address the topic of "The Aging Eye" including issues such as dry eye and other common eye problems that occur with aging. This event is free and open to the public. Please call Talking Book Service with questions, 703-519-5911.
Inova HealthSource is now offering online classes for new parents and persons interested in losing weight. "Baby's First Foods" is an online course for working parents with no time to attend an on-site class. Tips are given for when to introduce solid foods and what types of foods to offer. The other class is "Weight Loss 101" and includes basic tips and strategies for healthy eating in our busy lives. Classes are available at anytime at the participant's convenience. The site is www.inovahealthsource.com, but pre-registration is required for a username and password. Class fee is $15. Register online at www.inova.org or by calling 703-204-3366.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month and Virginiaâs Community Health Centers are working hard to treat and prevent diabetes throughout the Commonwealth. Diabetes is a disease that disproportionately affects minorities and was the sixth leading cause of death in Virginia in the year 2003. Virginia's Community Health Centers are recommending that patients learn more about the disease and the risks associated with it. During November, if you think you might have diabetes or if you think someone you know may have diabetes, be sure to schedule an appointment to visit a provider at a Community Health Center to get tested and take an active role in your healthcare decisions.
The Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross was honored recently for its outstanding blood collection program. The Greater Chesapeake & Potomac (GC & P) Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, which serves the blood needs of communities stretching from southern Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia, recognized the Alexandria Chapter as its "Chapter of the Year" at a special ceremony last month, where Alexandria Chapter Executive Director James E. Cleveland accepted a plaque on behalf of his team. GC & P Chief Executive Officer Gary Ouellette visited the Alexandria Chapter this week to personally deliver the plaque, where it will hang for visitors to see. The Alexandria Chapter collected just under 4,300 units of blood at over 150 blood drives throughout the city last year, making them the most outstanding Red Cross Chapter within the GC & P Region.
Alexandria Library Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St. is hosting two health events geared towards maturing patrons still on the move:
* On Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m., Dr. Shara Posner will give a free workshop on "Balancing Hormones Naturally." This holistic, non-drug approach may help women with hormone-related health concerns such as hot flashes, mood wwings, fatigue, night sweats, headaches, depression and more. This workshop is presented by The Doctors' Speakers Bureau and Alexandria Library. Seating is limited. Call 703-683-7771 to register.
* On Monday, Nov. 27, 1 p.m., Dr. Wendy Gasch will address the topic of "The Aging Eye" including issues such as dry eye, flashes and floaters and other common eye problems that occur with aging. This is sponsored by the Prevention of Blindness Society and the Talking Book Service of Alexandria Library. This event is free and open to the public. Call Talking Book Service with questions, 703-519-5911.
Inova's "Fight the Flu" will run until Dec. 31 and clinics can be found by visiting www.inova.com or call 1-877-895-5BUG (5284). Flu shots are available for everyone over the age of 6. $25/shot. Register by visiting www.inova.com or calling 703-204-3325. For more information, call 703-204-3339.
Yoga Classes are offered by YogaKala at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., on Saturdays, 10 a.m. for intermediate and 11:25 a.m. for beginners, and at the Carlyle Towers, 2151 Jamieson Ave., on Thursday 6 p.m. for intermediate and 7:15 p.m. for beginners, as well as Fridays, 10 a.m. gentle yoga. Cost: $15 per class or $96 for eight classes. For more information, call 703-549-0484 or e-mail YogaKala@aol.com.
Yoga in Daily Life offer classes for people of all ages and physical ability, seven days a week in the Del Ray area of Alexandria at 2402 Mt. Vernon Ave. Meditation classes also offered. Newcomers can take part in a free trial class the first week of each session. Next session begins Dec. 18. Drop-ins welcome anytime. Visit www.yogaindailylifeus.org for complete class schedule or call 703-299-8946 for more information.
Inova Cancer Services’ Life with Cancer program will sponsor a series of events to encourage exercise and education among breast cancer patients and survivors. The series, held each Wednesday, Oct. 18-Nov. 8 at Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria, includes stretching and toning exercises from 6-7 p.m. to overcome fatigue associated with radiation and chemo therapies, and information sessions from 7:15-8:30 p.m. to discuss breast cancer treatment options, breast reconstruction, nutrition and intimacy issues that face cancer survivors. To register, call 703-776-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
The Inova Hospital System asks the public to give blood. There is a need for all types of blood, with an emergency need for Type O-positive & O-negative. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. There are T-shirts for all donors. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372). A photo ID is required. Allow one hour for donation. In the Alexandria/Mount Vernon areas, blood can be given at
Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road, 703-504-3500 or at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parker's Lane, 703-664-7229.
The Alexandria Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program is seeking participants for its sexual assault support group. This group is for women who were sexually assaulted as an adult or adolescent and want to join with others in their healing journey. Call 703-838-5030 or visit www.alexwomen.com.