Burke: Friends of Sadie Blood Drive Returns on Valentine’s Day
In early 2010, friends of the Lauer family in Burke pulled together and organized an impromptu blood drive to support three-month-old Sadie Lauer, who was then diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Sadie underwent several surgeries to remove the cancerous mass in her neck, which required a large supply of replacement blood. The drive fell on Valentine’s Day.
Burke and Vienna: Orangetheory Fitness Fits Into Community
Childhood friends become married partners, gym owners.
Gaurave Batta and his wife Leyna have always been into sports and fitness. But with two small kids at home and Gaurave running his own business intelligence consulting company, they needed a solution that was efficient, above all else.
Fairfax Station Woman Survives Lung Cancer Scare
Early detection and new screening technology caught nodule in early stage.
It was not Fairfax Station resident Jackie Marino’s first time visiting the Burke Allergy and Asthma Center with a resurgent sinus infection. The elementary school Spanish teacher had cycled through treatment several times, complaining of a sinus infection, receiving antibiotics, seeing some resolution and then returning when the infection came back.
Burke Hunger Walk to Help in Disaster Relief
The Burke Area CROP Hunger Walk will be held on Sunday, Nov. 22.
Burke Church Hosts Oktoberfest
About 50 people took part in the sixth-annual Oktoberfest Volksmarch despite the pouring rain on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church in Burke.
Rabid Fox Found Near South Run RECenter
Less than a month after a woman was injured by a rabid raccoon, police responded to reports of a fox “acting abnormally” in the same area: the South Run/Burke Lake Trail near the South Run RECenter.
Fairfax: Northern Virginia Training Center Property Put on Market
Facility for people with disabilities scheduled for March 2016 closure.
According to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, 63 residents still live and receive treatment at the Northern Virginia Training Center, located in Fairfax alongside Braddock Road.
Healthcare Events
Fairfax County is offering a free six-week Chronic Disease Self-Management Program workshop Series. Learn and share positive strategies to better manage overall health, increase self-confidence and improve the skills you need to take control of your health and happiness! Tuesday, June 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m. First Baptist Church, 450 Orchard Street, NW. Vienna. For more information, call 703-324-5489, TTY 711, or email colleen.turner@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Burke Racquet & Swim Club Celebrates 30 Years with Fitness Fair
Lynnda Gendron of Burke has worked at the Burke Racquet & Swim Club for 27 of its 30 years of operation.
Sixth Friends of Sadie Blood Drive in Burke Draws More Than 200 Donors
For the sixth year in a row, Burke resident Amy Dozier celebrated Valentine’s Day by helping manage a blood drive. Her daughter Madeline, barely a tween for the first Friends of Sadie drive in 2010, is now a 16-year-old sophomore at Robinson Secondary School. She’s old enough to drive and old enough to donate blood for the first time.
Friends of Sadie Blood Drive Enters Sixth Year in Burke
Sadie Lauer’s Neuroblastoma is in remission. She still has a tumor, buried near the top of her lungs, however it has no active cancer cells. Aside from “late effects” of her chemotherapy treatment, Sadie is a happy, healthy five-and-a-half-year-old girl.
Seniors in Burke and West Springfield Look for More Activity Space
Larry Mark is 83, lives in West Springfield and practices tai chi with his wife Mary. They go to a class that meets once a week at the Burke Conservancy on Burke Centre Parkway. “It’s interesting,” he said. “It helps your balance and strengthens your neck and other muscles. Everybody needs better balance.”
Lyme Disease, ‘The Great Imitator’
Lyme disease association holds forum on impact of disease on Fairfax County students.
Kate Sheridan was a star athlete and an A-student up until the fifth grade when she suddenly developed flu-like symptoms and one day woke up with a rash on her face in the shape of a bullseye. Her parents took her to the doctor and she was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Soon, she was in a wheelchair and was transferred to a special needs class. “Losing control over your body and feeling yourself sliding backwards and there’s nothing you can do to stop it,” have been her experience since she was diagnosed.
Foot Action
Burke schools participate in National Walk to School Day
The “kiss and ride” lane of cars dropping off students was noticeably sparse at Cherry Run Elementary School. Principal Mark Bibbee said they average between 70 and 80 cars a day. On National Walk to School Day, Oct. 8, he counted just 25. His students and parents were pounding the pavement.
Pounding the Pavement
First annual 5K raises awareness of teen driving safety.
Robin Wallin of Alexandria has been training for this day at Cameron Run Regional Park for three months. She and sister-in-law Carolyn Wiser of Baltimore used a seat-to-5K app on their smartphones to prepare for the Oct. 4 race, encouraging each other through Facebook messaging.