Health news

New home for Komen agency

BANGOR – The Maine Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has announced its new home. The new Komen Maine office is located at 11 Cumberland St. The mission of the foundation is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through advancing research, education, screening and treatment. The new office will assist in advancing that mission.

“We are so pleased to open the first Komen Maine office. Our affiliate volunteers are thrilled to have a central location for meetings, record-keeping and general administration of duties,” said Komen Maine board President Kathy Crossman. “We are also very excited to be able to offer a convenient location for breast cancer survivors, family friends and health care personnel to get current educational materials, breast cancer awareness merchandise, and information on upcoming events. We encourage the public to call and set up an appointment to visit. Our office is currently being staffed on an as-needed basis, so feel free to let us know when you would like to visit.”

The public may call the office at 262-7117 to schedule an appointment for a visit or to pick up educational materials. The new mailing address for the Komen Maine Affiliate is P.O. Box 1626, Bangor, ME 04402-1626.

New support groups

BANGOR – Three new support groups are starting up this month. The groups will be led by Laurie Mahar, clinical nurse specialist, at AccessAbilities, 96 Harlow St., Suite 115.

The groups are:

. Chronic pain group, for those living with debilitation from chronic pain syndrome, and their family members, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. June 10.

. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder group, for veterans and family members, 5-6:30 p.m. June 9.

. Women’s issues group, support and education group for those wanting to explore issues of being female while learning to manage the pressures of being a women in today’s world, 5-6:30 p.m. June 7.

For information on any of these groups, call 941-1100 or (800) 617-0161.

Relay for Life a success

OLD TOWN – The 12th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life raised more than $175,300 for cancer research and Penobscot County patient services.

More than 600 team members walked a total of more than 10,000 miles at the Old Town High School track May 13-14.

“Penobscot County residents really showed their spirit that weekend,” said Carla Bommarito, volunteer chairman for the 2005 American Cancer Society Relay For Life. “Many cancer survivors showed up to participate, as well. It was very touching and emotional for all of us.”

The top individual fund-raiser was Estelle Levesque, who brought in $3225; her team raised a total of $13,503.

The top team fund-raiser was MJ Caps Connection, bringing in $19,235.

More than 600 people represented some 70 teams representing area businesses, clubs and organizations.

Bommarito said that money raised in the 2005 Relay For Life will be used to speed up the search for new weapons to fight cancer.

“Cancer will soon become the No. 1 killer in America as baby boomers grow older,” she said. “In order to expand our patient services in Penobscot County and research new ways to treat patients, we’ve got to channel more public attention and money into this problem.”

Luke Bouchard, who walked as part of the Z107.3 team, said he was inspired to participate by a friend who is a lymphoma cancer survivor.

“It shows how people can live rich lives instead of moping about,” Bouchard said.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Old Town was made possible by Dead River Co., Dysart’s, Georgia Pacific, Hannaford, Sam’s Club, WVII-TV Channel and Z107.3.