Prematurity Awareness Month

Johnson’s announced its participation in the launch of Prematurity Awareness Month that partners with the March of Dimes to help build awareness of the growing problem of premature birth – and to raise funds to support the initiatives of the nonprofit organization.

Johnson’s will carry out a nationwide campaign to give 10 cents to the March of Dimes for every Johnson’s baby product purchased during November and December, up to $100,000.

The program is part of Johnson’s long-standing commitment to provide mothers and babies with medical care they need to live long, healthy lives.

“Today, one in eight babies is born prematurely, which increases the risk for lifelong medical complications and death,” said Caitlin Pappas, U.S. general manager of Johnson’s Baby Care.

“We are thrilled to partner with Johnson’s, a brand that has a continued record of working to improve the quality of life for mothers and babies around the world,” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes. “It is our hope that Prematurity Awareness Month brings public attention to the serious problem of premature birth and inspires others to do all they can to make sure the babies within their families and communities are born full term.”

Also, Johnson’s will launch a communications campaign of direct mail brochures, displays at retailers and Web outreach to more than 700,000 moms nationwide. The goal is to continue Johnson’s philanthropic partnerships, and to raise money and elevate consumer engagement supporting the fight against prematurity and increasing awareness of March of Dimes and its mission.

More than 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the United States every year. Babies born so small often face the challenges associated with lasting disabilities such as cerebral palsy, mental retardation and learning problems, chronic lung disease, and vision and hearing problems – making half of all neurological disabilities in children related to premature birth.

Helping mothers and their babies reach term can help reduce the nation’s infant mortality rate while providing each baby with a better chance for a healthy start in life.

Physical disabilities support

BANGOR – The Physical Disabilities Support Group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at Alpha One, 1048 Union St.

Telecare celebration

BANGOR – Rosscare will hold a special holiday celebration for participants and volunteers of its Telecare program 1-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18. The holiday celebration is an annual event as Rosscare hosts the party to thank its volunteers and the people they contact daily.

“The holiday party started as a suggestion from our Telecare volunteers. They thought it would be a way to show Telecare participants how much we care. We all had so much fun meeting each other, actually putting a face to the voice we speak with each day. We all agreed we wanted to continue the tradition each year,” said Cynthia Smith, communications and program manager for Telecare.

Husson University donated the Dyke Center for Family Business as the location for the year’s party. With the center trimmed with festive decor, the afternoon will be full of delicious treats, fun, and good conversation with friends.

Telecare participants are invited to bring a loved one to the celebration, Smith said. Participants are asked to RSVP when they speak with their Telecare volunteer.

Telecare is a free program providing daily telephone contact for anyone living alone in the local Bangor calling area. Currently, 100 people benefit from the program.

Volunteers donate their time to staff the phone lines Monday through Friday mornings to greet participants and chat for a minute. They share the joys on good days and try to cheer the participants on more difficult days. The trained volunteers have protocols to follow if a participant does not contact a Telecare volunteer by the assigned time, thus ensuring participant’s safety. The free service is dependent on community support to continue to grow.

To obtain info or to sign up for Telecare, call 973-7094.

Lights of Remembrance

BANGOR – The St. Joseph Hospital auxiliary invites the community to remember and honor loved ones by participating in the annual Lights of Remembrance. A donation to the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary in memory of, or in honor of, a loved one will help St. Joseph Healthcare spread holiday cheer by lighting the traditional holiday display.

It also will help ensure a continuance of compassionate and caring at the organization.

All donations will be recognized with sincere thanks and recorded in a special album on display in the St. Joseph Hospital main lobby. For a gift of $25 or more, the Auxiliary will provide an exclusive commemorative ornament only available through the Lights of Remembrance program.

For a gift of $100 or more, the name of the honored or remembered loved one will be presented on a personalized pewter ornament displayed on the Remembrance Tree this year and for years to come.

Those who wish to participate in the program may pick up an order form at the St. Joseph Hospital front desk, at Helen’s Gift Shop in the hospital’s Broadway lobby, or by contacting Mary Clift, 667-1114.

The official lighting ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the hospital’s Broadway entrance.

The ceremony will include caroling by St. John’s Youth and Adult Choir, a visit from Santa, holiday refreshments and an official countdown to “flipping the switch” and the lighting of the annual display representing peace on Earth and the guiding light – the dove and the star.

Lung association award

BANGOR – The American Lung Association of Maine held its meeting and awards ceremony Oct. 3 in South Portland. Awardees were honored for work in fighting for healthful air and protecting lung health.

Mark Ishkanian, board chairman of the American Lung Association of Maine, said, “We’re here today to honor the leadership and dogged determination of these community leaders. Their dedication to ensuring the air we breathe is healthy is an inspiration to all of us at the Lung Association, and we thank them for their hard work on behalf of Maine people.”

A local award recipient was Dr. Jonathan Shenkin, a Bangor pediatric dentist. Shenkin is committed to protecting children from exposure to secondhand smoke. His determination led to a Bangor ordinance and a statewide law that makes it illegal to smoke in a motor vehicle when children are present. The legislation is now serving as a model for other states and countries to follow.

To learn more about the American Lung Association of Maine, visit www.lungme.org.

Blood drive at MMA

CASTINE – The Maine Maritime Academy Chapter of Alpha Phi Omega, a national community service organization, will sponsor a blood drive 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Alexander Fieldhouse on campus. Appointments are recommended, but not required. Schedule an appointment at www.bloodpartners.org/redcross/mma. For answers to eligibility questions on becoming a blood donor, call the American Red Cross at 800-462-9400 and ask for nurse of the day.

The American Red Cross blood services collection team holds blood drives at MMA four times a year. The public is encouraged to donate.

Talking to family doctor

BANGOR – Families of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias are invited to hear Dr. Jabbar Fazeli at 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Westgate Manor, 750 Union St. His topic will be “Talking to Your Family Doctor.” Fazeli will offer suggestions on how to talk with your family doctor about changes and concerns you have about your loved one.

Fazeli is board-certified in geriatric medicine and practices at Maine Geriatrics in the Portland area and central Maine. He is a board member of the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter and a member of the American Geriatric Society and American Medical Directors Society.

Susan Greenwood will discuss services of the Maine Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. She is a volunteer with the program, an independent organization that can investigate and try to resolve complaints made by, or on behalf of, those using long-term care services.

Kathryn Pears, director of public policy and advocacy for the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, will offer insight into state legislative issues that will impact those with Alzheimer’s disease and how families can advocate for the needs of their loved ones.

For more information, call Kristie Miner at 942-7336.

Great American Smoke-out

BANGOR – Smokers who want help in kicking the habit are invited to join the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke-out 1-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Bangor Mall in JC Penney Court.

Eastern Maine Medical Center staff will offer helpful tips for quitting the habit for good, free breathing tests and smoking cessation packages to give to loved ones to encourage them to quit using tobacco.

Start Stopping Tobacco, a special discussion to help encourage smoking cessation, will be held 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Mason Auditorium, EMMC. Ex-smokers and healthcare professionals will be on hand to offer advice and tips on quitting the habit for good.