‘Lose a ton’

Hampden, Winterport and Newburgh, the communities of SAD 22, will work together to make healthy lifestyle changes and have fun along the way. The goal is to “lose a ton” in 10 weeks.

The kick-off will be held 9-10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at the Bouchard Sport Center, Route 9, Hampden. There will be refreshments, activities and a group weigh-in on the H.O. Bouchard truck scales. Participants may join as an individual, a work place team, or a family or neighborhood team. Incentives and activities will be provided along the way. For information and a registration form, visit www.sad22.us.

Benefit days for Iris

BANGOR – Borders Books and Music in Bangor will host the Iris Network Benefit Days Friday-Sunday, Jan, 26, 27 and 28. The event will allow customers to receive 10 percent off purchases, with 10 percent of the revenue generated to be donated back to the Iris Network.

To download a coupon for the discount and to benefit Iris, visit www.theiris.org.

The Iris Network is a statewide organization working to bring genuine independence and unlimited promise to the lives of individuals who are visually impaired and blind. Headquartered in Portland, the organization has outreach offices in Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lewiston and Saco.

Physical and occupational therapy

BANGOR – Results Physical and Occupational Therapy is now open at 890 Hammond St.

The public is invited to attend an open house 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. At 5 p.m., state Sen. Joseph Perry will say a few words about his experience with Horse Gait Stables in Dixmont.

Results Physical and Occupational Therapy, which provides an adult clinic, is a division of Exuberant Living P.A., and an extension of Horse Gait Stables.

Owner Carol Lane, who has a master’s degree and is a physical therapist, has been practicing for 18 years. Between the two sites, the agencies have 10 licensed occupational, physical and massage therapists on board.

Techniques used include manual therapy, muscle energy techniques, soft tissue mobilization, massage therapy, cranio-sacral therapy and myofascial mobilization, as well as pre- and post-surgical treatment. Clients include cardiac patients, athletes and those undergoing spinal and pelvic rehabilitation.

The Feb. 3 open house will offer refreshments, 10-minute massages and a door prize.

For information, call 992-4042. A newsletter is available.

St. Joseph Healthcare

BANGOR – St. Joseph Healthcare has welcomed John Wilson of Ellsworth as the organization’s director of patient accounts. He is a graduate of the University of Miami and had more than 14 years of experience in the medical billing and collections field. He most recently held the position of business office manager at Mount Desert Island Hospital. Before that he held the same position at Blue Hill Memorial Hospital.

The organization also has announced that registered nurse Heidi Ketch of Milford has been appointed medical unit director. She holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Husson College and has been an employee of St. Joseph Healthcare for five years. She held positions as a staff nurse and clinical leader before accepting her new job. As medical unit director, Ketch will oversee the operation of the unit and serve as supervisor to the medical unit staff.

Caring Connections

BANGOR – The Avon Foundation Breast Care Fund has awarded a $10,000 one-year grant to Caring Connections, a cooperative program of the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center supported through the fundraising efforts of Eastern Maine Charities.

The Avon Foundation funds will be used to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer and the availability of no-cost mammograms and other tests. It is the first year the program has received this funding to support its work.

Caring Connections at the Bangor Y will educate women within a 60-mile radius of Bangor and refer those who are eligible to no-cost mammograms and clinical breast exams at EMMC. The program also provides cervical health services to qualified women through the Maine Breast & Cervical Health Program. If needed, EMMC covers the costs for additional diagnostic testing or treatment for breast and cervical cancer, for women enrolled in Caring Connections.

Since December 1996, Caring Connections has reached tens of thousands of women and men with information about the importance of early detection and has referred almost 800 women for mammograms and/or breast ultrasounds and clinical breast exams.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the U.S. and the leading single cause of death overall in women ages 40-55. Nine hundred to 1,000 cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Maine this year, and about 200 lives will be lost.

While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survival, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as Caring Connections help ensure that all women have access to early detection information and options, even poor and medically under-served women.

“We are proud that the Avon Foundation shares our mission and has chosen to support our program, said Rosemarie LeGasse, director of Caring Connections. “With these funds, we will make a greater impact on women’s health with our education and outreach efforts.”

For more information on Caring Connections, call LeGasse at 941-2808, ext. 337, or visit www.bangorY.org.

The Avon Foundation, an accredited 501c3 public charity, in 2005 celebrated its 50th anniversary committed to improving the lives of women.