WOMEN'S HEALTH ~
A Cooperative Health Program for Women offered by the Bangor Y and Eastern Maine Medical Center through the philanthropic activities of Healthcare Charities.
Caring Connections is assisted by the Avon Breast Care Foundation. Our Susan G. Komen grants, Bridging Books and Bridging The Gap continue through March 2010. In January 2010 we will submit proposals to continue both programs. The Borman Family Foundation continue to offer support for our breast cancer support programming.
Download Caring Connections Newsletter January - February 2010
Download Caring Connections Newsletter March-April 2010
If you have trouble reading our newsletter, click here to download Adobe Reader
CARING CONNECTIONS Breast and Cervical Health Program - Provides no-cost pap tests, mammograms, and related services to women 40 years of age and older through the Maine Breast & Cervical Health Program. Women must qualify financially and be underinsured (have insurance with a high deductible) or uninsured. Call Ro LeGasse or Robin Long at 941-2808 to learn more about this program. Early detection is your best protection.
Bridging The Gap
Bridging The Gap (BTG) is a program funded by a grant from Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Maine Affiliate. BTG provides breast health exams and imaging to women ages 30-39 who are at high risk or have symptoms of concern. Women in their 20's with symptoms concerning them can also receive services at no cost. Women must qualify financially and be underinsured or uninsured. If you are a woman between 20 and 39 years old, and are concerned about your breast health, call Caring Connections at 941-2808.Through the 2007 grant we provided breast screening and diagnostic services to 21 young women. Sixteen of those women contacted us with symptoms concerning them. Our intense outreach efforts resulted in these women finding Bridging The Gap.
Bone Health Information & Discussion Groups
These sessions are a combined project of the Health & Fitness Department and Caring Connections. Groups meet each month. Speakers on maintaining/improving bone health are scheduled monthly. Calcium-rich food samples and recipes are also provided. These groups are for you, whether you have strong bones, osteopenia (some bone loss), or osteoporosis. Learn how to enhance both your bone health and overall health through daily lifestyle choices. Call Caring Connections at 941-2808 for meeting dates and topics or to be placed on the mailing list.
Bridging Books
Bridging Books is a project that provides resource and information packets to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Over 40 surgeons and other breast health/cancer sites in Eastern and Northern Maine give a packet containing a foundation book and other resource materials to women on the day of or close to the day of diagnosis. Bridging Books is funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure - Maine Affiliate. Bridging Books provided resource packets to more than 350 women (and some men) in fifteen counties in 2007. A unique collaboration with the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition helps us provide Bridging Books resources to newly diagnosed persons throughout Maine who have contacted the coalition.
Caring Connections Breast Cancer Support Groups (formerly ENCOREplus)
These Caring Connections support groups assist women diagnosed with breast cancer. The groups offer a safe environment of support and understanding for women with questions and concerns that accompany a diagnosis of breast cancer.Groups meet regularly in Bangor, see times below, and in Calais, Ellsworth, Millinocket, and Pittsfield. Additional group leaders in Ellsworth and Dover-Foxcroft are available to assist newly diagnosed women. Specific information about the support groups can be found in the Caring Connections newsletters link above. Meetings in Bangor are also listed below. We invite you to call Caring Connections for related or additional information at 941-2808, or email us at your convenience at careconn@BangorY.org.
2nd Tues of the month, 5:30 pm, Isaac Farrar Mansion on Union Street, Bangor. Caring Connections breast cancer support group - the evening session (on the 2nd Tues of the month) welcomes not only women with breast cancer, but also their partners, friends, spouses, or adult children to the discussion/informational group. For more information, call Ro or Robin at 941-2808.
The Wednesday afternoon 12:30 p.m. Caring Connections Support Group for gals diagnosed with breast cancer meets weekly from 12:30 - 1:50 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Isaac Farrar Mansion.
DATES TO REMEMBER ~
Bone Health Info & Discussion Group
Topic:
Date:Thursday, 10:00 a.m.
Come and enjoy a calcium-rich snack/beverage and take the recipe home with you. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by calling 941.2808 x 337 or 338, or email us at: careconn@BangorY.org
Caring Connections Support Group
SUMMER PICNIC
Wednesday, July 15th, 12 noon - 2:30 p.m. at the home of Maureen & Paul Greene in Newport, Maine. Please RSVP at 941.2808 x 337 or at careconn@BangorY.orgYou'll find driving directions in our newsletter. We'll give you a ride if you'd like.
EVENT UPDATES and 2009 EVENT Schedule
Caring Connections Retreat (formerly ENCOREplus Retreat) 2009 will take place on Saturday morning, September 12th and end in the afternoon of September 13th. This is a new schedule, as in the past we have held the event from Friday through Saturday. This event is specifically for women who are living with breast cancer. The Retreat is held at Camp Jordan on Branch Lake, outside of Ellsworth. Not only is this an opportunity to leave your schedule and reality behind so you can enjoy each and every moment programmed to you, but it is a chance to discuss difficult topics with a sisterhood of women who understand.
We believe the new and expanded schedule will better serve the many women who wish to participate. You will no longer have to leave work early and rush to get to camp before dark, or try to find the camp in the dark if it is your first visit there. So, put September 12th and 13th on your calendar. We'll break camp in the afternoon on Sunday so to make for easy traveling back to your home.
Race for the Cure 2009 will take place on Sunday, September 20th. The Caring Connections Energizers team will be there!
Survivor's Reception is being held at the Sea Dog Conference Center on the Waterfront of Bangor on Saturday, September 19th from 7 to 10 p.m. Reservation is required as space is limited. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and dance to the RetroRockerz. Only one guest per survivor. To RSVP and reserve your seat, call 262.7117 and leave your name and your guest's name for Kathy Graves. Please do not expect a call back! You can also email: info@komenmaine.com
Blues for the Cure is taking place on Friday, October 23rd from 8 p.m. to midnight at Jeff's Catering in Brewer. Tickets are $12 and will be sold during pre-Race registration times at the Bangor Mall or at the door.
Back to Health & Fitness page. |
