Community bolsters Crohn’s patient’s recovery

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Thanks to the family of 21-year-old Joy Weiss of Mariaville, we have an update on the progress being made in her treatment.

Weiss has Crohn’s disease, which to this point is considered incurable.

Crohn’s is a genetic, autoimmune disorder in which the individual’s immune system is programmed to attack the body, telling the body’s white blood cells to fight against its own digestive tract, causing pain and impeding the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food.

However, for Joy Weiss, there now is hope that she may conquer this disease.

Weiss is undergoing the world’s first experimental stem cell transplant under the direction of Dr. Richard Burt of Northwestern University in Chicago.

To help her family with costs associated with the treatment, community members recently sponsored a benefit supper for Weiss.

Her family wrote this week that “with all our heartfelt thanks [we] express our gratitude for all the prayer and support shown to Joy.”

“Joy is now entering the first stage of chemotherapy in her stem cell transplant,” they wrote.

Last week, she underwent more than 100 tests, and “is very tired and sore, but is in high spirits because of all the love and support of so many people.”

More than 185 people attended the benefit supper on “a very beautiful Saturday,” which meant “they gave up their evening for Joy,” the family wrote, adding they hope the Lord “will bless you all as you have so richly blessed us.”

They added that they can “never repay the hard work of the many who organized and ran the supper, we are truly very appreciative.”

And the Weiss family certainly does not want to miss expressing gratitude to any and all who helped or participated in this event.

They extend their thanks and “pray this will reach some we may have inadvertently missed.”

“Maine people truly are the best!”

On behalf of the Bangor Bear Paws and the Orono Quilters, Jean Smith of Eddington invites the public to attend a quilt show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 27, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Church of Universal Fellowship, 82 Main St. in Orono.

In addition to the show, visitors can participate in a raffle, visit vendor booths and enjoy refreshments.

For more information about the show, or about local quilters, call 942-8337.

A free skin cancer screening is being conducted at several locations Saturday, April 28.

The screenings are sponsored by Blue Hill Memorial Hospital’s Health Education Center, Peninsula Primary Care Physicians, and the American Cancer Society.

Although the screenings are free and open to the public, you must register and make an appointment to participate.

Screenings will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon at Bucksport Family Medicine; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Castine Community Health Services; 9-11 a.m. at Island Medical Center in Stonington; 9-11 a.m. at Blue Hill Family Practice; and 9-11 a.m. at Tenney Hill Family Practice in Blue Hill.

To make an appointment, call 374-2836, Ext. 2131.

Although skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, it is highly curable if detected and treated early.

For more information on prevention and detection of skin cancer, call the ACS at (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

The committee planning the Gardiner High School Class of 1981 20th reunion has done its homework, because only five members are reported “missing.”

Linda Gagne Edwards wrote that the class will hold its reunion Saturday, July 28, at the Augusta Elks Club on Civic Center Drive, and that “we are currently looking for the following missing classmates: Moriah Dessler Barber, Christopher Langley, Daniel Donovan, Brett Armstrong and Aaron Doherty.”

Anyone with information on any of these individuals is asked to call Sharon Dyer Gallant at 623-6334, Edwards at 621-4934, or e-mail mom2alliknow@aol.com.

Judy Kellogg Markowsky of the Maine Audubon Society reports that at the end of the cleanup of the Penjajawoc Stream on Earth Day, held Sunday, April 22, near the Bangor Mall, “an adult bald eagle flew over, making a circle above the muddy cleanup crew, as if to say thanks.”

And Markowsky adds her personal thanks to all who participated in the project.

“About 35 people turned out,” she wrote.

The volunteers collected 35 bags full of trash, two rusty shopping carts, two tires, one wagon wheel, one metal bucket, several rusty shovels, a freezer door and some large pieces of rotten plywood.

A Family Fun Day for families with children affected by autism and other pervasive developmental disorders is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at the University College ballroom on Texas Avenue in Bangor.

In recognition of April as National Autism Awareness month, Penquis C.A.P. Autism is sponsoring the event.

Activities include face painting, a bubble table, children’s videos and door prizes.

Informational booths for parents and other adults will be available, and those who attend can try selected items available from the UCP Tech Center.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.