Children’s Miracle Network

BANGOR – The annual telethon for the Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems set a new benchmark in fundraising on June 3, when it successfully raised $620,616.

Hosts Don Colson, Amy Erickson, Joy Hollowell, Jim Morris and Tim Throckmorton of WABI-TV 5 introduced a cavalcade of CMN families and supporters, including Fletcher Simpson, this year’s Champion Child, and the local singing sensation Mom-A-Palooza. The telethon also provided the public’s first glimpse of the new Newborn Transport Team ambulance, which will be purchased with funds donated by Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.

Nancy Dysart, director of CMN of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems said, “To paraphrase a popular quote: It takes a village to heal a child, and this ‘village’ of eastern, central and northern Maine people proved once again that children are our most important resource.”

Contributions received by this year’s CMN Telethon will stay in this area to support the newborn, pediatric and adolescent healthcare services of Eastern Maine Healthcare. Recipient hospitals will include the Acadia Hospital, the Aroostook Medical Center, Blue Hill Memorial Hospital, Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center, Inland Hospital and Sebasticook Valley Hospital, in addition to the Pathfinders program of Hospice of Eastern Maine and the Circle for Grieving Children of Visiting Nurses of Aroostook.

CMN funds are used for community education and safety training, as well as the purchase of highly specialized medical equipment and patient support materials.

CMN is the largest nonprofit children’s fundraising organization in North America. It is community-led and community-driven, with 100 percent of funds raised in the local area staying in this area to serve the needs of area children.

As Dysart pointed out, “Without this community support, CMN would not achieve the success it does. We are all deeply grateful.”

Rehabilitation facility

WINTERPORT – Maine Center for Integrated Rehabilitation has opened the new Winterport Physical Therapy at 775 North Main St., adjacent to Winterport Family Medicine.

The facility overlooks the Penobscot River and is staffed with therapists who have extensive background in orthopedic and neurologic problems and work-related and sports injuries.

For more information call Pamela Colson Power, 989-2034, or the referral coordinator at 223-4070.