BANGOR – More than $429,000 was raised this past week during the 14th annual telethon for the Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare. Hundreds of volunteers and CMN families from central, eastern and northern Maine joined together at the Bangor Mall for the 12-hour telecast aired over WABI-TV 5.

CMN director Nancy Dysart said she attributed this year’s success to the thousands of volunteers who work tirelessly throughout the year on behalf of the children. “It is their efforts that guarantee access to the highest quality health care close to home for 200,000 children,” she said.

Andrea Philbrick Cooper, director of Aspenlodge, was recognized during the telecast for her service to CMN. She received the CMN 2002 Volunteer of the Year Award.

Carol Lackedy was honored as the CMN 2002 Wal-Mart-Sam’s Club Volunteer of the Year. She received the award for her fund-raising efforts for the garden tractor marathon ride from Aroostook Medical Center in Presque Isle to Eastern Maine Medical Center planned for Aug. 11.

Contributions received this year will support newborn, pediatric and adolescent health care services of Eastern Maine Healthcare. Recipient hospitals include Eastern Maine Medical Center, The Acadia Hospital, The Aroostook Medical Center, Inland Hospital and Sebasticook Valley Hospital. CMN funds also will aid the Pathfinders grief counseling program of Hospice of Eastern Maine and the injury prevention programs of the Maine Coalition for Safe Kids.

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Diabetes, Endocrine and Nutrition Center is researching new treatments for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity. In a study recently conducted by Eastern Maine Healthcare, obesity and diabetes were found to be serious health problems for Mainers.

“Being overweight leads to a host of other health problems and is a leading cause of diabetes,” said clinical research coordinator Gail Baillargeon.