Health notes are for support groups, exercise classes, blood drives and similar events open to the public at no or minimal cost. Send information to south@connectionnewspapers.com or call 703-917-6440. Deadline is Friday.
The Northern Virginia Alliance on Smoking or Health has published "Your Springfield and Burke Guide to Smoke-Free Dining." The guide was published with grant funds from the Virginia Department of Health's Tobacco Use Control Project. The guide lists restaurants in Springfield and Burke that offer smoke-free dining.
The guide is free. To obtain a copy, visit the South Run RECenter, 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield. To receive a copy by mail, call Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services at 703-324-5213.
People living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia are invited to the program, "Living Well with CLL," on Saturday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.-noon, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2700 Prosperity Ave., #100, Fairfax. The program will include an update on new treatments with Georg Aue, M.D., of the National Cancer Institute and a panel presentation of people living with CLL. To register for this free program, call The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 703-960-1100, ext. 231 or e-mail sarah.singer@lls.org.
Second annual Kid Health and Safety Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at Fair Oaks Mall, Grand Court, in Fairfax. Activities to include gummy worm surgery, become a "nurse for a day," bike and helmet safety, fitness and nutrition tips and more. Also, meet McGruff, the Crime Dog. Free and open to the public. Visit ww.inova.org/events.
The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC holds it monthly meeting, Sunday, June 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Physicians’ Conference Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Fairfax. "Meet and Eat" begins at 1:30 p.m., presentation starts at 2 p.m. Featured speaker is Dr. Joshua Katz, colorectal surgeon. His presentation will be followed by "Ask the Doctor" and more. No admission fee. Park in Blue garage. For more information, call 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
The American Red Cross is teaming up with 3M and Roush Fenway Racing to launch Red Cross Racing, a campaign to engage NASCAR fans as blood donors and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for blood. Visit redcrossracing.com to sign up for a new donor rewards program and accrue points to be exchanged for Red Cross Racing gear including items like caps, T-shirts, jackets and limited edition die-cast cars. Registrants between now and Oct. 1 will be entered into a sweepstakes to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the Phoenix race on Nov. 9. The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region will host several Red Cross Racing blood drives in June, including Tuesday, June 10, at the Fairfax Donor Center, noon-6 p.m. Participants will receive chances to win special prizes. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) to schedule an appointment.
The Jewish Social Service Agency’s second annual Positive Aging Fair, "Expanding Our Horizons" featuring lectures, information booths, and workshops on senior-focused topics including travel tips, improving health and transportation options, will be Thursday, June 12, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. For information, call Pam McDonald at 703-204-9100.
The Positive Aging Fair features a keynote address by author Dr. Harry R. Moody, AARP director of academic affairs, who will speak on "Discovering Your Creativity in the Second Half of Life." The event will include a light kosher lunch with live musical entertainment and raffle prizes. To register call 703-323-0880 and reference the following code: 153/2AF/JUN12. The fee to attend is $8 for JCC members and $10 for non-members. Registrants can reserve a free lunch by signing up prior to the event. The deadline for registration spots that include lunch is Thursday, June 5. Walk-in registration will also be available for $5 (lunch not included). Transportation can be provided, call JCA’s Connect-a-Ride at 703-323-6494.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia hosts a monthly support group for parents of young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome and related disorders. The group focuses on building a support network, identifying community resources and balancing one’s own needs with those of adult children with special needs. Group meets on Wednesdays, June 25, July 23 and Aug. 27; 7-8:30 p.m. at JSSA, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax. JSSA also presents a social club for young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome or related disorders. A variety of outings will be scheduled from June through December.
Call 703-204-9100 to register for the support group or to get information on the social club.
Inova Heath System’s Congregational Health Partnership has been named a 2007 Healthy Hero Award winner. The Healthy Hero Awards program was created by the Amerigroup Foundation to recognize teachers, schools, physicians and community-based organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership or innovation in the area of health promotion.
Inova’s Congregational Health Partnership was selected for its efforts in addressing health promotion in the context of a mind-spirit-body connection in the Northern Virginia area. The Partnership’s outreach stresses primary prevention and is innovatively done through health ministries in multi-faith communities. As part of the award, the Amerigroup Foundation is donating $1,000 to the Inova Health System Foundation.
NOVACO Transitional Housing is a non-profit program for victims of domestic abuse. Through HUD funding and community and church donations, the organization offers a comprehensive two-year transitional housing program for families including counseling, education for job enhancement, life skills training and child care. All clients receive follow-up counseling for up to two years after graduation from the program. Call 202-723-3000.