Childhood immunizations

As parents and children cruise through their back-to-school ‘to-do list,’ the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention urges parents to remember to complete one other important task – checking to see that their child’s immunization records are up to date.

Dr. Dora Anne Mills said that immunizations are one of the top public health successes of the last 100 years and one of the biggest contributors to the expansions in life expectancy.

For example, smallpox, which killed more people in the 20th century than all that century’s wars combined, was eliminated by 1980 because of the vaccine.

Polio, of which epidemics instilled fear in millions of parents in the first half of the last century, is now on the verge of elimination worldwide, thanks to vaccines given to children. More recently, Mills said, types of bacterial meningitis that once stole children from their families are now virtually eliminated because of a vaccine.

It’s important to remember that vaccines are safe, Mills said. The proteins that make up the main ingredient of many of them are now more purified than ever before. The vast majority of vaccines, including almost all childhood vaccines, are now available in preservative-free formulations. Thimerosal, a once-common preservative in vaccines, is now rarely found in more than trace amounts in childhood vaccines.

Immunizations required for school entry, starting in elementary school include:

. Diptheria, pertussis and tetanus.

. Measles, mumps, rubella.

. Poliomyelitis.

. Varicella.

Immunizations required for post-secondary school entry include:

. Diptheria, pertussis, tetanus.

. Measles, mumps, rubella.

Additional immunizations that are recommended for children, but not required for school entry, include:

. Influenza vaccine on a yearly basis.

. Hepatitis B.

. Hib, Hemophilus influenza B.

. Meningococcal vaccine.

. Pneumococcal vaccine.

. Hepatitis A.

. Human papilloma virus vaccine – once it is available.

More information on childhood vaccines can be found at www.mainepublichealth.gov.

Race for the Cure

BANGOR – Hannaford Supermarkets will serve as the local presenting sponsor for the 10th annual Komen Maine Race for the Cure set for Sunday, Sept. 17. Hannaford has been a longtime sponsor of the event.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s Race for the Cure began in Dallas in 1983 with 800 participants. Today, the race is the largest 5K series in the United States with more than 1.5 million participants worldwide.

The mission of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. More than 200,000 women and 1,500 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

To obtain information about the race, call Sally Bilancia at 745-9173, e-mail race@komenmaine.com or visit www.komenmaine.com.

Autism Community Services

BANGOR – Penquis CAP has received a grant of $5,978 from the Elizabeth W. Means Trust to purchase informational resources and sensory materials for its Autism Community Services lending library.

Penquis CAP serves more than 100 families through its Autism Community Services program, which provides case management to individuals, birth to age 20, who have a diagnosis of autism, Asperger’s syndrome and-or pervasive developmental disorder.

Its lending library contains materials and resources to help parents and providers understand Autism Spectrum Disorder and learn methods to deal with behaviors associated with the diagnosis.

“Our lending library is used extensively by the families we serve, as well as teachers, education technicians, child development staff, in home support agencies, and interns in the social work field,” said Colleen Johnson, who manages the autism program.

“The grant from the Elizabeth W. Means Trust will allow us to expand our limited collection to offer a wide range of reading, audio-visual and sensory materials. These resources will provide greater information and support to area families and the professionals who serve them,” she said.

Individuals interested in reviewing or borrowing materials from the lending library can call Marie Durant at 973-3576 or Lynn Lugdon at 973-3642.

Bank of America is the trustee of the Elizabeth W. Means Trust.

Hospital trustee

BANGOR – Eastern Maine Medical Center announced recently that State Sen. Kevin Raye has joined the hospital’s board of trustees. Raye’s more than 17 years experience as top aide to U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, including as her chief of staff, gives him a unique perspective on the needs of Maine people and the varied issues facing health care today.

EMMC President and CEO Deborah Carey Johnson works closely with the board of trustees and values input and guidance board members provide. Johnson said Raye has broad and varied experience, and she looks forward to having the benefit of that experience on EMMC’s board.

Pro-life luncheon

Jean Barry of Bangor is one of four people who will be honored for pro-life efforts during the Pro-Life Education Association’s recognition luncheon at noon Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Senator Inn in Augusta.

Also honored will be state Sen. Paul Davis of Sangerville, Jason Lavoie of the University of Southern Maine and George Rodrigues of Westbrook.

The keynote speech, “How to Successfully Fight Planned Parenthood,” will be given by Jim Sedlak, executive director of Stop Planned Parenthood.

The event is open to the public. Reservations, at $15 each, may be sent to PLEA, c/o Patricia Truman, 85 Second St., Hallowell, ME 04347. Reservations are due Sept. 12. For information, contact Truman at 622-6772 or Gerry Thibodeau at 989-1290.

Outpatient services

BANGOR – Project Atrium has announced the introduction of state-licensed substance abuse counseling for teens and young adults in the Bangor area. Individual substance abuse counseling for 14- to 23-year-olds, as well as group and family drug and alcohol abuse services, are provided at Project Atrium’s new offices at 145 State St.

Project Atrium’s outpatient services are available through self-referrals, referrals from local and state social agencies, and the state Department of Corrections and the Department of Health and Human Services. Project Atrium accepts MaineCare insurance and private payment and is working to expand payment options in the near future to include private health insurance.

“For more than 30 years, Project Atrium has offered effective substance abuse counseling to teens on a residential basis,” said John Jaska, executive clinical director for Project Atrium Inc.

“Given the sharp increase in substance abuse-related deaths in Maine in 2005, we’ve eagerly awaited our state license to provide these outpatient services that are specifically designed for adolescents and young adults,” he said. “Early intervention through counseling is essential to overcoming substance abuse dependency, and our specialized services will fill a gap that currently exists in the Bangor area.”

In January, state law enforcement officials released 2005 data indicating a sharp rise in drug-related deaths from previous years. Attorney General Steven Rowe reported that drug-related deaths in 2005 exceeded the number of auto-related deaths that year.

Project Atrium, established in the Bangor area in 1974, also offers residential counseling services to adolescents from 13 to 18 years old with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. At Project Atrium’s two gender-specific homes, teens with a dual diagnosis are provided with individual and group counseling, support groups, community service programs, school and vocational programs, and social activities.

This year, Project Atrium’s school-based substance abuse counseling program was started in three area school districts. A licensed substance abuse counselor provides on-site services one day each week throughout the school year. Plans to expand Project Atrium’s on-site services to other area schools are under way. For more information about Project Atrium services, call 941-2825.

Benefit event

BANGOR – The Bangor Elks Lodge will sponsor a craft fair, flea market and yard sale 9 a.m-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, at the lodge, 108 Odlin Road. The event will benefit the Maine Children’s Cancer Program.

Donations of salable goods are being accepted and may be dropped off at the lodge.

Table space is available to vendors for $25.

The Maine Children’s Cancer Program, one of the Maine Elks major projects, is the only comprehensive cancer treatment program for children in Maine. Linked with other research centers throughout the United States, 100 percent of funds raised stay in Maine to support program operations.

The program is based in Portland through Maine Medical Center. but serves infants, children and adolescents from across Maine. Medical treatment for childhood cancer may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy or a combination of those. The program also sponsors school re-entry and consultation programs, educational materials, counseling services and support groups for patients and families. Research-based care, charity care, advocacy and new program initiatives not covered by insurance and patient fees also are available.

The program has a nearly 70 percent cancer cure rate for children and has helped hundreds of families receive the rest treatment possible without leaving Maine.

For more information about the craft fair, flea market, yard sale event, to make donations of goods or to reserve table space, call Steven Grant at the lodge at 942-6977 or Patty Reid at 848-3990.