Team Maine participates in U.S. Transplant Games

Fourteen athletes, one donor family member, two living donors, two professionals and two team managers make up the “Team Maine” contingent at the National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games being held today through Saturday at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando.

And while these participants are not from our circulation area, I am pleased that Karen Burrell, director of programs and patient services for the National Kidney Foundation of Maine, brought this event to my attention.

Perhaps, in years to come, even more Mainers will be able to participate in this event where transplant athletes compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in 13 different sports ranging from track and field to swimming, tennis, basketball, cycling and golf.

Kidney transplant athletes competing this week include Ron Bisson, Topsham; Ruth Clark, Durham; Kara O’Donnell, South Gardiner; Claudia Richardson, Falmouth; Will Smith and Charlie Harrison, Brunswick; and Portland residents Martha Black, Mark DeWever, Greg Gelinas and Tom Leahy.

Heart transplant athletes are Rob Cutler and Robin Harris, North Yarmouth; and Anne Knights of Portland. Bruce Heywood of Yarmouth had a double-lung transplant.

Other team members include manager Bev Frost, whose sister is awaiting a heart transplant; Maine Transplant Program Coordinator Carla Cutting, Portland; kidney donor Becky DeWever, Portland; NKFM board president and nephrology nurse Sue Gagne, Auburn; Allison Hepler, Woolwich, whose husband was an organ donor; kidney donor Ellen Souviney, Brunswick, and Burrell.

Many of us know individuals who have received life-saving organ transplants, but Burrell reminds us that more than 78,000 Americans are currently on waiting lists for organ transplants, and that 16 people die, each day, while waiting.

For these 14 athletes, proudly competing and representing the state of Maine, this event is more than a challenge: It’s an opportunity to share the gift of life with transplant athletes from 50 states and five foreign countries.

In addition, the event features four days of workshops for donor families and educational programs for professionals involved in transplantation.

For more information about the Transplant Games, or about organ or tissue donation, call Karen Burrell, upon her return, at 772-7270 or (800) 639-7220.

Gerry Kearns of the Bangor Nature Center invites children to participate in a program especially for them from 10 a.m. to noon on three successive Fridays, beginning June 28, at the Blethen Memorial Library at Ecotat Gardens in Hermon.

The first program is “Solar Day Activities,” and it will be conducted rain or shine!

For more information about the program, call Dawn Davis, 990-5035.

Earlier this month, with the 30th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Eastern Agency on Aging’s Meals for Me program, staff members launched a “Dollar a Decade” fund-raiser.

The purpose was to help, in some small way, the program better provide meals for the 200,000 individuals, age 60 and older, who receive meals, annually, either in their homes or at Meals for Me sites in Penobscot, Piscataquis and Hancock counties.

Carol Higgins of EAA reported last week that the effort had raised slightly more than $2,300 through EAA’s 30th anniversary date of June 22.

“We’re going to continue the fund-raiser as long as people want to do it,” she said. “But we do want to extend our thanks to all who contributed. We’re so grateful not only for the money, but for the lovely letters we’ve received from people telling us how much they enjoy the meals,” as well as the service and companionship they receive from their Meals for Me volunteers.

Each $3 contribution, representing $1 for each of the three decades of EAA’s existence, represents a little more than the purchase of a cup of coffee and a doughnut.

So, if you still want to help out, you can do so by sending a check made out to Meals for Me Birthday, and mail it to Meals for Me, 450 Essex St., Bangor 04401.

Summertime “officially” arrives for people of that city when the Brewer Hometown band makes its first local appearance at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27, in the parking lot at Brewer Auditorium.

Under the direction of Jan Cox, the concerts are free, but donations to help support the band are gratefully accepted.

Bring your lawn chairs and hope for good weather but, if it rains, just head inside the auditorium and enjoy the fun and fine music.

Members of Lifespring Chapel Church of God invite the public to attend their annual Craft and Art Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, in the Municipal Building in East Machias.

The fair, which will be held rain or shine, is run in conjunction with East Machias River Days.

Organizers promise that you will find many fine items to enhance your home or find items that you will be pleased to give as gifts.

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