BANGOR – Nominees for EMMC Nurse Excellence Award at Eastern Maine Medical Center are: Stephanie Babb, Jane Beaudoin, Rebecca Bell, Kathleen Beller, Pat Berneche, Kathy Burns, Marcy Campbell, Melissa Day, Darcy Dore, Mari-Ann Faloon, Tine Fife-Mahoney, Brandi Follis, Theresa Kelley, Andrea Longley, Mary McCarthy, Abebu Mengesha, Bonnie Pearson, Anja Prestridge, Kathy Pushor, Lawna Robinson, Judy Stevens, Joyce Strang, Tracy Sutherland, Susan Swartz, Jan Thompson, Mark Upton and Jennifer Vanden Bosch.

BANGOR – Caring Connections will present “Alzheimer’s Disease, It’s More Than Just Memory Loss,” 10 a.m-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the YWCA.

Approximately 4 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. That number is expected to rise dramatically over the next several decades as the population ages.

This video program is designed to educate seniors and caregivers about the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, patient risk factors, diagnosis and treatments available.

Handouts with information to help improve the lives of both the patient and caregiver will be provided. The 20-minute video and written information are provided by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and TSN, The Senior Network.

Those who would like to attend one of the presentations, or would like more information, may call Robin Long at 941-2808.

BANGOR – The St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary presented a $20,000 check to Sister Mary Norberta, president and CEO of St. Joseph Healthcare, at the auxiliary’s annual meeting on May 7. The funds have been designated for St. Joseph Hospital’s Patient-Family Education Program.

The Patient-Family Education Program is designed to provide patient-family education to all St. Joseph Hospital inpatients and outpatients.

The focus of patient education in the hospital setting requires a variety of educational strategies geared to meet the needs of patients who have shorter hospital stays by providing them as much health care information as possible as part of their care.

The program includes the purchase of an automated system of patient-family educational materials; the system supports patient education from admission to discharge.

Funds are raised by the auxiliary to benefit St. Joseph Healthcare and its affiliates through various activities including an annual fall fashion show, and through proceeds received from the St. Joseph Hospital Gift Shop.

The auxiliary observes its 52nd year in 2002. It was established in 1950 and has served the St. Joseph Hospital community through its fund raising and service activities for nearly all of the hospital’s 55 year history in Bangor.

BANGOR – Cancer survivors from Penobscot County and beyond are invited to participate in the Lap of Hope, the opening ceremony of the area’s Relay For Life. The American Cancer Society fund-raising event will take place from 6 p.m. May 17 to 6 p.m. May 18 at Old Town High School.

In the United States, more than 1.2 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and more than 1,500 people a day will succumb to it.

Event chair Carla Bommarito said, “The message of the event is that cancer can be conquered. The ceremonial lap honors the courage of all who have defeated cancer. Survivors walk, run or ride in a wheelchair for the opening lap. It is more than just another fund raiser. It’s about being a community that takes on the fight against cancer.”

Relay For Life began in 1985 when Tacoma, Wash., colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordon Klatt raised $24,000. Since then, Relay For Life events held in hundreds of communities throughout the country have raised millions of dollars.

Funds raised at Relay For Life support the American Cancer Society’s many programs for cancer patients, caregivers and their families.

Local programs include Road to Recovery, where volunteers drive cancer patients to treatment; Reach to Recovery, which brings together newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with women who have survived breast cancer; Camp Rainbow, a week-long summer camp held in coastal Maine for children with cancer and their siblings; and “I Can Cope,” a series of classes on topics such as nutrition, cancer treatment and fitness.

Cancer survivors, their families and friends who would like to take part in Relay For Life may call the American Cancer Society at (800) 464-3102 or 989-0332. All survivors receive a special Relay For Life gift.

For information, visit the American Cancer Society’s Web site at www.cancer.org.

BREWER – The Maine Association of Independent Doulas will celebrate International Doula Month in May. Members will staff an information booth at Bangor Mall Saturday, May 11.

“Doula” comes from the ancient Greek, MAID officials said. Today, the word refers to a woman professionally trained to provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support before, during and after childbirth. She is trained to assist with relaxation, pain-coping techniques and to facilitate communication between her partner and medical caregivers.

Doulas are new to today’s birthing world, but in years gone by, they were women of the community who nurtured a family during birth and postpartum time.

In the United States, officials said, the cesarean birth rate is above 25 percent.

For information, visit the Maine Association of Doulas Web site at www.yourbirthconnection.com/maid/mainedoulas.htm or call 945-9804.