Health news

Pathfinders program for grieving children

BANGOR – Pathfinders: Support for Grieving Children has an urgent need for volunteer facilitators to help with its fall session. Those who have a desire to have an impact on children may find that this opportunity is right for them. Comprehensive training is provided, beginning with Pathfinders 101 on Saturday, Sept. 10.

“There are many benefits to becoming a facilitator,” explained Linda Boyle, Pathfinders coordinator, “especially the better understanding and appreciation volunteers gain for the special concerns of grieving children and their families. The training sessions are centrally located in Bangor. A new volunteer is then paired with a seasoned facilitator to work with children in a particular age group.”

Pathfinders’ fall session for grieving children is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 19-Dec. 5, at Bangor Christian Schools.

Founded by Maria Brountas and the late Barbara Eames, Pathfinders provides special bereavement support geared specifically for children and teens, ages 3-18.

For all the rewarding benefits to becoming a volunteer facilitator, the training dates or for more information, contact Linda Boyle at 973-8269.

Wristband fundraiser

BANGOR – To commemorate Harley-Davidson’s 25th anniversary as a national sponsor for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Bangor area dealerships will offer special Harley and MDA wristbands to benefit MDA.

The suggested donation is $5 for two wristbands. A portion of the proceeds from each bracelet will go toward research, medical care for those with MDA and to MDA summer camps. The wristbands will be available throughout the summer.

In addition, customers who test-drive a Harley-Davidson or Buell motorcycle during the Demo Days for MDA promotion may also receive a Harley-Davidson collector’s edition wristband.

Wristbands are available at the Hermon and Bangor locations of Central Maine Harley-Davidson dealerships, which will sponsor the Labor Day Poker Run for Jerry’s Kids on Monday, Sept. 5.

For more information call Central Maine Harley-Davidson at 848-5709, or 947-6456.

What’s new with Medicare

BANGOR – Miller Drug will sponsor free informational clinics, “Medicare is Changing,” 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10; and 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Miller Drug, 210 State St.

Property tax rebate help

BANGOR – Eastern Agency on Aging is holding clinics to help seniors complete the 2005 Maine Property Tax and Rent applications from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at the EAA Bangor office, 450 Essex St. The clinics are by appointment.

Attendees should bring a copy of their 2004 property tax bill, 2004 Federal and Maine income tax returns, proof of income if income taxes were not filed in 2004, and any other information that would be helpful in the application preparation.

Those who have received a property tax form in the mail are asked to bring the form with them to the appointment. To obtain more information, call EAA at 941-2865 or (800) 432-7812.

Organ donation efforts

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center has won two recognition awards for organ donation efforts from the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative, a nationwide initiative developed by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and the Health Resources and Services Administration with a goal of increasing donation rates to 75 percent or better.

U.S. Deputy Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu presented EMMC with an award for achieving its organ donation rate of 82 percent during the collaborative period from July 2003 to July 2004.

EMMC is the recipient of a Medal of Honor for achieving a donation rate of 100 percent in a consecutive 12-month period between September 2003 and March 2005.

The Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative is the largest national collaborative of its kind in history, and EMMC is one of the only non-transplant hospitals in the collaborative. EMMC is a national leader in organ donation, achieving a 100 percent rate in 2003, working together with the New England Organ Bank and families who suffered the loss of a loved one.

In other words, all potential organ donor families agreed to donate, saving many lives. Since then, EMMC has consistently stayed well above the national average for donation, with 85 lives saved by organs procured at EMMC.

As a high performer, EMMC is being recognized as a leader at helping grieving families find meaning in their loss by renewing hope and health for others through organ donation. EMMC will serve as a national model for excellence in donation, helping to identify “best practices” assisting families with end of life care.

To learn more about the Organ Donation Breakthrough Collaborative, visit http://organdonation.iqsolutions.com. To learn more about EMMC, visit www.emmc.org.