Health news

Lights of Hope

Members of the public are asked to be part of the caring with CancerCare of Maine this holiday season, and honor a loved one by donating to Lights of Hope.

Gifts will help support patient care at CancerCare of Maine. The organization will celebration the person or people chosen for honor or remembrance by displaying their name at CancerCare of Maine and the donor will receive a special Lights of Hope card to send to those honored through the gift.

CancerCare of Maine offers service to individuals and their families who are facing cancer and blood disorders throughout central, eastern and northern Maine. From sophisticated technology to the latest chemotherapy to gentle support, CancerCare of Maine provides quality state-of-the-art care.

For information, call 973-5055. All are welcome to attend a tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, in front of the newest Webber building at Eastern Maine Medical Center, adjacent to the parking area.

Breast cancer awareness

As a community service during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Curves franchises in Lincoln, Bucksport, Brewer and Hampden held fund-raisers and made an $800 donation to the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition’s Support Service Fund. The fund provides financial assistance for breast health and breast cancer services to underserved Maine women. Since the fund was founded five years ago, the coalition has awarded grants in all counties in Maine to more than 350 low-income, uninsured or underinsured women.

In the coming year, officials estimate that the fund will award more than $60,000 in grants to more than 100 Maine women.

To learn about the Support Service Fund or to obtain an application, call the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition at (800) 928-2644.

Diabetes support group

BANGOR – Georgia Clark-Albert will be the guest speaker at the diabetes support group at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at St. Joseph Healthcare’s Diabetes and Nutrition Center. Building 1, 900 Broadway, Bangor. Her topic will be “Controlling Diabetes During the Holidays.” The group meets the first Thursday of each month. Call 262-1836 for more information.

Expansion of services

BANGOR – Care & Comfort announced its expansion of mental health services to include individual and family outpatient treatment for children and adults. The agency continues to provide in-home behavioral health services for children and their families, and long-term care home health services.

Care & Comfort’s new outpatient services are available to those 6 years old and older, who have been given a primary mental health diagnosis.

The agency has relocated to 1 Springer Place, across from the Bangor Mall. To learn about the agency and its services, call (800) 366-5302.

Blood drive listings

The American Red Cross Blood Services has listed the following area blood drives for December:

. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, Memorial Union, University of Maine.

. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, Orono Middle School, Goodridge Drive, Orono.

. 8 a.m.-2p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, Red Cross Donor Center, 900 Hammond St., Bangor.

. 1-6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, Saint Vincent de Paul Church, 158 Franklin St., Bucksport.

For a statewide listing of blood drives, visit www.newenglandblood.org.

Chief medical officer

Norman A. Ledwin, president and CEO of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, announced recently that Dr. Erik Steele “has accepted the position of chief medical officer” of the health care system.

Steele’s new responsibilities will include working with the medical staff at individual member hospitals to develop and implement treatment protocols, to represent physician point of view at the system leadership level and to help the system control the cost of the health care it provides.

“I’m glad that my new job will allow me to continue to work with the staff of EMMC, both in my new role and as a member of the EMMC medical staff,” Steele said. “The position also will allow me to work with the smaller hospitals of rural Maine that at the cornerstones of local health care.”

Steele came to Eastern Maine Medical Center as a family practice resident in 1988. He received undergraduate education at Bowdoin College in Brunswick and a doctor of osteopathy degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Steele also writes a column for the Bangor Daily News.