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Program on diabetes

BREWER – St. Joseph Healthcare’s Diabetes & Nutrition Center and A1C Champions will hold a diabetes presentation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 3, at Jeff’s Catering. Guest speaker Robert Braun will discuss the importance of taking control of diabetes, and offer helpful advice on how to keep it in control.

Braun was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2004. In October 2005, Braun became an A1C Champion to encourage others to make good choices about managing their diabetes. Today, he believes that he is healthier than he was before his diagnosis. He is in control of his disease and leading a full, active life. He wants others to know they can do the same.

St. Joseph Healthcare’s Diabetes & Nutrition Center offers comprehensive education and training to individuals with diabetes to assist them in developing the necessary skills to control the disease. The program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and includes a pre-assessment interview, small group classes and four follow-up visits throughout the year.

Volunteer recognition

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare honored its volunteers at the annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on April 25 at the Spectacular Event Center. The luncheon recognized 95 volunteers for their dedication to assisting the staff, patients and visitors of St. Joseph Healthcare.

Their combined hours of service for 2005 were 20,187, which represents a cost savings of $354,295 to the organization. This figure is based on an hourly value set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Independent Sector.

At the luncheon, volunteers received pins and certificates in appreciation of their cumulative hours of service to the organization. Roses were handed out to volunteers for their years of service. Those recognized included:

. Gloria Cyr for 47 years of service.

. Thomas Healey, Constance Kelsey and Milly Ranney, 25-30 years.

. Phyllis Smith and Clara Swan, 20-24 years.

. Betty Cobb, Christine DiPompo, Charles Rich, Shirley Rinard and Norma Wilks, 15-19 years.

. Anne Fecteau, Rosemary Ford, Marilyn MacLeod, Mary Searway and Jeannette Treworgy, 10-14 years.

. Timothy Arbuckle, Albert “Joe” Ayotte, Sandra Bryant, Robert Daniels, Helen Dentici, Susan Everett, Gladys Ewing, Mary Glans, Phyllis Goss, Martha Hsu, Catherine Maher, Patrick McDonough, May Pardy, Minerva Proctor, Marjorie Robinson, Albert Ross, Marianne Ruhrold, Stephen Stout, Joan Tremble, Kristin Weeks and John Werdt, five to nine years.

Those honored for cumulative hours of volunteer service to St. Joseph Healthcare were:

. Anne Fecteau, 18,326 hours.

. Patrick McDonough and Milly Ranney, 7,000-7,500 hours.

. Christine DiPompo, 5,822 hours.

. Charles Rich and Kristin Weeks, 5,000-5,499 hours.

. Gloria Cyr, Mary Glans, Stephen Stout and Clara Swan, 4,000-4,499 hours.

. Kevin Carman, Betty Cobb, Helen Dentici and Marjorie Robinson, 3,500-3,999 hours.

. Grace Nugent, Shirley Rinard, Marianne Ruhrold and Jeannette Treworgy, 3,000-3,499 hours.

. Thomas Healey and Minerva Proctor, 2,500-2,999 hours.

. Phyllis Smith and Norma Wilks, 2,000-2,500 hours.

. Timothy Arbuckle, Constance Kelsey and Joan Tremble, 1,500-1,999 hours.

. Albert “Joe” Ayotte, Robert Daniels, Susan Everett, Rosemary Ford, Martha Hsu, Nicole LaPointe, Catherine Maher, Joanne McIntosh, May Pardy and Albert Ross, 1,000-1,499 hours.

. Betty Brackett, Margaret Cote, Phyllis Goss, Megan Harnish, Kathleen Hill, Jacqueline Kenney, Shirin Khavari, Randy Lackovic, Marilyn MacLeod, Donna Maynard, Dawn Simpson, Anne Smith, William Vandegrift and John Werdt, 500-999 hours.

. Marion Bailey, Dawn Barbersek, Shirley Bickford, Samantha Bishop, Sandra Bryant, Billy Chase, Sister Mary Columba, Deborah Ellis, Gladys Ewing, Lena Gilleland, Valerie Higgins, So-Yeon Jung, Catharine Lebowitz, Andrew Meagher, Cheryl Mills, Ginger Penney, Mary Searway, Alice Shannon, Norman Stetson, Edward Thompson, Norma Towne and Carolyn Weber, 100-499 hours.

. Lily Alavi, Joan Day, Mary Grattan, Julia Holt, Richard Knappe, Theresa Maher and Barbara Putnam, one to 99 hours.

March of Dimes WalkAmerica

BREWER – Every year the March of Dimes holds an event known as WalkAmerica to raise money to help fund its mission of preventing premature births, birth defects and infant mortality.

Sunday, May 7, is the Bangor region’s opportunity to participate in an admirable cause, helping babies over come obstacles that come with being born too early.

This year’s walk will begin at the Brewer Auditorium on State Street. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and walking starts at 9 a.m.

Seventy-five percent of the money raised goes to programs that help prevent premature birth and infant mortality. March of Dimes education programs help parents recognize the signs of pre-term labor. The walk funds those programs and medical research programs, and helps get funding at the state and federal level to provide health care for uninsured children.

Those who wish to participate in the walk with a group of friends as a walk team should call the March of Dimes at 989-3376. Participants may also register the day of the walk.

Multiple sclerosis lecture

ELLSWORTH – The Maine Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will feature speaker Dr. Howard Kessler 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 13, at the White Birches Country Club, 20 Thorsen Road, Ellsworth. His topic will be “Cognition, Mood and Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis.”

Kessler is a neuropsychologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience practicing in Yarmouth.

The lecture is open to those living with MS, their families and friends. To register call (800) FIGHT MS, Option 1, or register online at www.msmaine.org. Deadline for registration is May 9.