Bid Against Cancer

BANGOR – Bid Against Cancer, a charity event, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Sea Dog Brewing Co.

Those attending will have the opportunity to support a worthy cause by bidding on items donated by area businesses while enjoying the evening in a party atmosphere.

“Every dollar raised will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” said organizer Angela Conrad. “We expect the bidding to be spirited, and everyone will have a good time contributing to a worthy cause.”

The list of auction items to date includes greens fees to area golf courses, home improvement products and a five-night stay in downtown Charleston, S.C. Businesses still have time to contribute anything biddable such as clothing, furniture, a dinner for two, a home-cleaning service and fuel oil.

The mission of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and families.

Bid Against Cancer is open to the public, but space is limited. The auction is a chance, Conrad said, “to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to promote research, provide support to families in need and perhaps save someone else’s mother or loved one.”

For more information, call Conrad at 991-8702, e-mail angelaconcrad@hotmail.com or visit bidagainstcancer.com

Living Well program

BUCKSPORT – Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition will sponsor a new program to assist local residents in living with chronic illness.

The Living Well Program runs 21/2 hours a week for six weeks, from 5 to 8 p.m. beginning Monday, Sept. 22, at Jewett Community Center, Bridge Street and Broadway.

Participants must preregister for the program by calling 469-6682. The cost is $25 for the six sessions. The fee includes “Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions” book and “Time for Healing” CD. Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee.

Those with various chronic health conditions attend the program together. Workshop facilitators are Susan Davis and Marjorie Nightingale.

Topics covered are disease-related problem solving, communication skills, managing emotions, exercise, developing patient-physician partnership, use of community resources, nutrition, managing medications, advanced directives and cognitive symptom management, such as relaxation self-talk and visualization.

Classes are highly participatory, where mutual support and success build participants’ confidence in the ability to manage their health and maintain active fulfilling lives.

The Division of Family and Community Medicine in the School of Medicine at Stamford University developed, tested and evaluated the Living Well Program. The program is made possible through collaboration with Eastern Area Agency on Aging.

Out of the Darkness

BANGOR – Support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention by participating in the Bangor 5K Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Hayford Park on Thirteenth Street.

Proceeds will benefit local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs. Registration will be held at the site at 1 p.m. The noncompetitive walk begins promptly at 2 p.m.

To preregister, form a team, donate or learn more, visit www.outofthedarkness.org or call the Maine AFSP chapter at 822-9989. To volunteer, call walk chairwoman Cathy Bennett at 862-3189.

A Matter of Balance

BUCKSPORT – A Matter of Balance, an eight-week program designed to reduce fear of falling and increase physical activity in older adults, will begin 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, at Jewett School Community Center, 66 Bridge St.

Many older adults experience fear of falling and restrict their activities. A Matter of Balance is an award-winning program developed by the Roybal Center for Enhancement of Late-Life Function at Boston University.

Participants will learn to:

. View falls and fear of falling as controllable.

. Set realistic goals of increasing activity.

. Change their environment to reduce fall risk factors.

. Exercise to increase strength and balance.

Class activities include group discussion, problem solving, role-playing, skill building, assertiveness training, videotapes and practical solutions.

The program is sponsored by Eastern Area Agency on Aging in collaboration with Bucksport Bay Healthy Communities Coalition. Participants pay a $5 registration fee. To preregister, call Mary Jane at 469-6682.

Exercise for bone health

BANGOR – Staying active can help your bones stay stronger, but what kinds of activities are most effective? Have you been diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis and want to exercise, but aren’t sure what exercises are safe?

Kevin Dunton, assistant director of health and fitness at Bangor Y, will speak at the Caring Connections Bone Health Information and Discussion Group, 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, Bangor Y, Second Street.

Dunton is a certified personal trainer with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He will demonstrate safe and effective exercises to strengthen the bones in the hips and spine, and improve balance.

The session is free and all are welcome. A calcium-rich snack and recipe will be provided. To obtain information or to attend, call Robin Long, 941-2808.

MMRF Race for Research

BANGOR – Hope Lutheran Church will be the host for the second MMRF Race for Research on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Paul Bunyan Park on Main Street.

The 5K walk and run will be timed by the Bangor Running Club. Registration begins at 9 a.m., the race begins at 10 a.m.

Call Becky at 356-0425 for information or registration forms. Proceeds benefit research for multiple myeloma, a rare, incurable blood cancer.

The Hampden 4-H Club, the Cyberhounds, will donate $50 to the MMRF Race for Research.

Race sponsors are FairPoint Communications, Old Town Canoe, Johnson Outdoors and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Activities of the day will include raffles.

Individual registration fee is $25 for ages 10 and up. Families may register for $60.

Helping flood victims

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare raised more than $3,000 at its third annual communitywide yard and craft sale. Proceeds will benefit victims of the spring flooding in Aroostook County.

Each year, members of the St. Joseph Healthcare mission advisory committee organize one of the largest and most successful benefit yard and craft sales in the region. Proceeds are donated to a different worthy cause each year.

This year’s proceeds have been passed on to the Rev. James Nadeau of St. Louis Parish in Fork Kent. Nadeau will determine the distribution of funds to families who have been identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as being in need after last spring’s disaster.

St. Joseph Healthcare helps thousands of community members through a variety of programs each year. The mission advisory committee coordinates community service events designed to support the core values of St. Joseph Healthcare – compassion, competence, community.

Komen Race for the Cure

BANGOR – The Komen Maine Race for the Cure is accepting registrations for its Sunday, Sept. 21, race. There are four ways to register:

. Online at www.komenmaine.com.

. Brochures found at local businesses, including Hannaford Supermarkets.

. At the Bangor Mall during select times.

. On race day before 9:30 a.m.

Last year the Komen Maine Race for the Cure reached an all-time high by raising $230,000, taking total revenue numbers past the $200,000 mark for the first time in Maine race’s history. The 2007 race also broke attendance records with more than 3,800 registrants, a 12 percent increase over 2006.

The Komen Maine Race for the Cure began in Bangor in 1997. To date, the Komen Maine Affiliate has granted more than $1.2 million in Maine to breast cancer screening, education and treatment programs.

For more information, call 262-7117 or visit www.komenmaine.com.