Old Town Relay for Life

OLD TOWN – The American Cancer Society’s Old Town Relay For Life, scheduled for May 19-20 at the Old Town High School track, will celebrate the lives of hundreds of local residents who have survived cancer, while offering the hope of finding a cure. To honor the strength and courage of cancer survivors, area survivors are invited to unite for the official Survivors’ Lap after the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. May 19.

Cancer survivors also are invited to the Survivor’s Reception, which will be held at the track immediately after the Survivor’s Lap.

The Old Town Relay For Life is an all-night community event bringing together teams of families, friends, churches, neighborhoods and businesses – all with the goal of curing cancer in the new millennium. Teams of walkers keep a continuous presence on the track throughout the night, walking in shifts to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

Dollars raised during Relay For Life help support the American Cancer Society’s many programs and services such as “Road to Recovery,” “Look Good … Feel Better,” “Reach to Recovery” and “Man to Man.” They also help the society continue its research projects, including two currently under way at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Those projects are funded by American Cancer Society grants totaling more than $800,000.

A special luminaria (candle lantern) ceremony at 10 p.m. Friday will help participants remember those lost to cancer and honor those who have survived. Luminarias will be lit and placed around the track to represent these individuals and light the way for Relay For Life participants. Anyone wishing to purchase a luminaria may do so by contacting the American Cancer Society in Topsham at (800) 464-3102, press 3. Each luminaria bag is $10, and they will be available for purchase until the day of the event.

“As the luminarias light up the night, it is so painfully clear why we are here, and why we need to continue to raise money for cancer research, education, advocacy and service,” said Carla Bommarito, event chairwoman. “We hope to sell enough to light the entire area.”

To find out how to get involved in Relay For Life or to volunteer, call the American Cancer Society at 989-0332. Relay For Life is a handicapped-accessible event.

Better hearing and speech

BANGOR – Since 1927 the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has celebrated Better Hearing and Speech Month each May. The month of awareness is a good time to have a hearing test, said staff members at the Warren Center for Communication and Learning. An estimated 28 million Americans have a hearing loss that can be treated. Signs of hearing loss are:

. Frequently asking people to repeat what they have said.

. Often turning an ear toward a sound to hear it better.

. Understanding people better when wearing glasses or looking directly at faces.

. Losing your place in group conversations.

. Keeping the volume on your radio or TV at a level that others say is too loud.

. Having pain or ringing in your ears.

Since 1961, the staff at the Warren Center for Communication and Learning in Bangor has provided evaluations, therapies and technologies in speech, language development and hearing to the children and adults of eastern and central Maine. In 2004, the center supported more than 2,700 clients in their goals toward stronger communication.

This year, the Warren Center has planned several events to highlight the importance of Better Hearing and Speech Month.

Free hearing screenings and a silent auction were held May 11.

Also scheduled is the sixth annual yard sale to benefit the Voices to Be Heard program 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at 175 Union St., Bangor. Voices to Be Heard is a program dedicated to helping deaf and hard of hearing individuals of all ages learn to listen and to speak. In the past few years, major strides have been made in both technology and in aural habilitation and rehabilitation. These breakthroughs make the ability to listen and to speak within the grasp of more people than ever before. The Warren Center will accept donated items for the yard sale through Friday, May 19. Stop by or call 941-2850.

EMMC cardiac wellness

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center’s Cardiac Wellness of Maine has announced its summer programming in lifestyle modification.

. Heart-healthy cooking demonstration with registered dietitian Eileen Smith-Porter, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 23. Free.

. “How to Live to be 100,” 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 25. Free.

. Risk reduction series for heart disease, eight sessions, with pre- and post-lipid evaluation, 6-7:30 p.m. June 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27 and 29. $80.

. “Cooking & Diabetes,” two sessions on right foods to eat and how to prepare them to keep blood glucose levels in check, 4-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, June 6 and 13. $20.

. “Nutritional Update for Cardiovascular Disease,” selecting the best foods to achieve a heart-healthy diet, 5-6 p.m. Thursday, June 15. Free.

. “Nutritional Update for Cardiovascular Disease,” phytochemicals such as phenols, flavonols, resveratrol, lignins, isoflavones and indoles, 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, July 25. Free.

. “Nutritional Update for Cardiovascular Disease,” nutrition supplements, 5-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21. Free. Registration required for all classes, 973-4600. For classes requiring a fee, checks must be received within three business days of initial phone call: Cardiac Wellness of Maine, EMMC, P.O. Box 404, Bangor ME 04402-0404. Classes will be held at CWOM on the second level of the parking garage.

Nursing scholarships

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare employees Laurie Brodeur, Maureen Carmichael, Doreen Garber, Alicia Noyes and Tammy Smith are the recipients of Anna M. Kosak Nursing Scholarships. Sister Mary Norberta, president and CEO of St. Joseph Healthcare, made the presentation May 10. The scholarship is named in honor of Sister Norberta’s aunt.

Trauma center verification

BANGOR – The American College of Surgeons has verified Eastern Maine Medical Center as a Level II trauma center, the first hospital in Maine to earn the designation.

Trauma is the leading cause of death among children and adults ages 1 to 44 in the United States. The EMMC trauma center admits more than 700 patients each year for the treatment of injuries.

Shriners Clinic

BANGOR – The annual Shriners Clinic at Eastern Maine Medical Center will be held 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, June 9, in the Brandow Conference Room and on the third floor of the Webber Building at EMMC. The clinic is sponsored by Anah Temple Shrine.

More than 75 children with special medical issues will be seen by a team of physicians from Shriners Hospital in Boston.

For information, contact Steve Prescott at 973-7556.