Health news

Holiday party for elders

BANGOR – During the holiday season, we take comfort in knowing that our family members and loved ones are taken care of. However, for those who live alone or who may not have family close by, it is nice to know there are those in the community willing to lend an extra hand.

Rosscare, Healthcare Charities, Husson College and Cyr Bus partnered this holiday season for the second annual Rosscare Telecare holiday party on Dec. 11. A new Rosscare tradition, the Telecare holiday party was an afternoon of holiday cheer, food and fun for the elder population served by Telecare and their loved ones. It was also an opportunity to thank Telecare volunteers for the countless hours they provide to the community.

Telecare is a daily telephone reassurance program that provides contact for people of all ages who live alone. There is no charge for the service. Each morning participants speak on the phone with a specially trained volunteer who will greet the caller and ask how he or she is doing. Volunteers follow special protocols if unable to reach participants, ensuring participants’ safety. Telecare volunteers speak to an average of 90 seniors a day.

“We would not be able to provide such a wonderful service to our Telecare participants if it were not for our community partners Healthcare Charities, Husson College and Cyr Bus. Those we assist with Telecare live alone, so with their help, we are able to make sure those that do not have family close by are included in this special time of year,” said social worker Amy Cotton, director of Rosscare.

Because those served by Telecare live alone, Cyr Bus has provided rides to and from the party for participants who do not have transportation.

Rosscare also thanked Husson College for donating the Dyke Center for Family Business on the Husson College campus as the location for the party. Linda Houston donated sweets, and Irene Houston and Rene Petersen donated door prizes.

Rosscare and Healthcare Charities are part of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems.

Maine organ donors

Gov. John E. Baldacci honored five organ donors recently, issuing a proclamation naming Dec. 3 as Organ Donor Awareness Day in Maine. The honorees include two organ donors, two mothers of organ donors and one volunteer.

“These individuals are helping to get the word out about saving lives through organ donation,” said Baldacci. “I am happy to honor these five people and all donors on Organ Donor Awareness Day. I encourage Mainers to think about giving, if they can, to help save a life.”

The governor honored these individuals:

. Ronald Colley of Brewer. Colley, a veteran of the Air National Guard 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor. A husband and father of three, Colley donated a kidney to save a life.

. Rosa McGrail of Solon. McGrail honored the wishes of her 16-year-old son, Jonathan, by donating his organs and tissue upon his death. She has since become an advocate for organ and tissue donations.

. Hiromi Dolliver of South Portland. Dolliver’s daughter, Nancy, died in 2002. Through multiple organ donations, Nancy saved many lives. Hiromi has since become a volunteer at the New England Organ Bank and a strong advocate for organ and tissue donation.

. William Cross of Portland. Cross donated a kidney to his sister, Cathy. Four years later, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Cross is currently in remission.

. Martha Black of Portland. Black volunteers for the National Kidney Foundation of Maine. She recently had open heart surgery, but continues to spread the word about organ donation and what it can do.

Organ Donor Awareness Day was put into place eight years ago to commemorate the life of Kate James, born Dec. 3, 1980. James died in 1999 while awaiting a double lung transplant.