Cabin Fever Auction

The Maine chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, in conjunction with the Hampden Fire Department and the Brewer Eagles Club, will hold its first Cabin Fever Auction to benefit MDA 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Brewer Eagles Club. The auctions begins at 1 p.m. and is open to the public.

Lt. Frank Coombs of the Hampden Fire Department will be the auctioneer. Surprise entertainment and refreshments will be available.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is seeking donations of items to use in the auction. Some auction items include gift certificates to restaurants, gift baskets such as Avon or Mary Kay, handmade blankets or quilts and other home furnishings.

Those interested in donating an auction item or volunteering should call Kim Mancini, district director for central and northern Maine, 854-3749.

Cervical cancer information

BANGOR – January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Cervical cancer, when detected early, is nearly 100 percent curable. Women are encouraged to see a health care provider for regular pap smears. Early detection saves lives.

Talk to the doctor or health practitioner about cervical cancer, risk factors, prevention, symptoms and early detection. If you’re over 21 and-or sexually active, get regular pap smears.

Throughout January, the Penobscot Breast and Cervical Health Coalition will have available Cervical Cancer Awareness videos to borrow for public education purposes. The videos stress the importance of prevention and early detection of cervical cancer. Copies will be made available for pick up at the Penquis Community Action Program office in Bangor. To get more information or reserve a copy, call 973-3615.

Best Practice Agency

Bangor Area Visiting Nurses has been identified as a National Best Practice Agency in the National Home Care Quality Improvement-Hospitalization Reduction Project. The agency was determined to be in the top 10 percent of the most successful agencies for low hospital re-admissions based on the nationally reported Center for Medicare-Medicaid Services Home Health Compare scores.

The goal of the Hospitalization Reduction Project was to identify the most successful agencies in the country and note the strategies and practices they use to achieve such low hospitalization rates.

“In December, we participated in a conference in New Hampshire and had an opportunity to share our best practices,” said Helen Genco, president and CEO of Bangor Area Visiting Nurses. “We are incredibly proud of our staff for this accomplishment.”

“Home care is a critical part of our health care system. Today, patients are discharged ‘quicker and sicker’ from the hospital. That’s where home care steps in and provides clinical services to patients right where they most want to be – at home. With our aging population – baby boomers begin to turn 60 this year – the need for home care services will continue to increase. Thankfully, it remains the lowest cost form of health care services available.”

Bangor Area Visiting Nurses is celebrating 93 years of service in 2006. The agency provides home health and hospice care to nearly 1,000 Bangor area residents annually, offering nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, home health aides and social work services. To learn more about the agency, call 973-6550 or visit www.bavn.org.

Open house at TOPS

STILLWATER – The Stillwater Take Off Pounds Sensibly chapter will host an open house 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Stillwater Federated Church on Bennoch Road. All are welcome to attend and hear members share how they have lost weight and maintained their goal weight. Bring a spouse or a friend. For information, contact the chapter leader, Martha Nason, 827-6098 or visit www.tops.org.

Flu clinic in Bangor

BANGOR – Miller Drug will host a flu clinic 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at the store at 210 State St.