Alice Peck Day
"Eye on the Sky" Meteorologist Mark Breen was the highlight speaker at volunteers and Auxiliary members dinner.
LEBANON, NH – Alice Peck Day Health Systems celebrated its volunteers and Auxiliary members with a dinner featuring meteorologist Mark Breen of the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium, best known for his regional “Eye on the Sky” weather updates for local radio and television stations.
According to Volunteer Services Coordinator Jane Darby, volunteers contributed nearly 6,000 hours to APD in 2009, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics translates to more than $120,000 in service. The APD Auxiliary also makes significant contributions to the hospital community, completing a $100,000 pledge to the hospital in fiscal year 2009. To learn more about volunteering or joining the APD Auxiliary, contact Jane Darby at (603) 448-7456.
BALD IS BEAUTIFUL IS A SUCCESS!
Keene, NH – Seventy-two individuals gathered more than $33 thousand in charitable donations to have their heads shaved at the second Bald is Beautiful Event to honor and support those living with cancer.
Many decided to go bald as a tribute to a family member or friend who had lost their hair and maybe even their battle to the illness. The proceeds from the event support the Kingsbury Patient Relief Fund, which grants financial support to cancer patients experiencing financial crises related to their illness. Commonly, as a result of a prolonged illness, patients lose time at work or even their jobs or health insurance, placing enormous financial strain on families during a time of significant stress.
“We want to thank all those who participated and pledged. Your bravery is inspiring,” Said Frank Hoffman, Annual Giving Manager. “This event deeply touched all who participated. To all who gave generously to support friends and co-workers, we applaud your generosity. Know that your gifts will go directly to those in need.”
The second annual Bald is Beautiful fundraiser was a true success. This year, an online campaign was created for fundraisers to gather pledges by alerting friends via email. A thermometer displayed the growing total and individual goals. Ten hair stylists from MJD Hair Salon in Keene volunteered their time and effort spending the day shaving heads, which meant, more people, more available slots. The mayor of Keene, Dale Pregent proclaimed May 1, 2010, “Bald is Beautiful Day,” which was read by Mitch Greenwald of Greenwald Realty Associates.
The event wouldn’t have happened without the support of the Kingsbury Oncology department and our numerous business partners. Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock Keene thanks its many corporate sponsors and contributors. They donated supplies, services, resources, and raffle gifts to make this event a success.
Prizes were awarded to the top three fundraisers and the top team. We also had many volunteers who came out that day to pitch in and lend a hand. Thank you for your time and service to make this event so memorable.
Franklin Regional Hospital Celebrating 100 Years
FRANKLIN, NH – When Mandy Pickess began volunteering at Franklin Regional Hospital, it cost .05 to mail a letter, a gallon of gas was .30, and Lyndon B. Johnson was in the White House. That was 46 years ago.
“FRH was a lot smaller in 1964,” she says. “My first volunteer job was posting the patient mail, but today, people aren’t really in the hospital long enough to get any mail! But a lot of things haven’t changed at all. The first thing we learned when we came through the door was that patients always come first, and that is still true today. And back in 1964, the people here were my family-everyone cared for each other. Forty-six years later, and that’s still true, too.”
This year, FRH is celebrating its Centennial. After 100 years of caring for our community, this facility, which was once a little hospital on the hill, is bigger and better than ever. But what is so remarkable about FRH is that as much as the hospital and medical services have grown and changed, the character, warmth, and family feel of FRH have persevered. Just as has been the case for the past 100 years, when you walk down the halls at FRH today, people smile, say hello, and call you by name.
One reason for that is the longevity of doctors, staff, and volunteers at FRH. There are a number of staff members who have passed their 20 and 30 year marks, and a few who are even approaching 40 years of service. When asked why they stay so long, the answer you hear is consistent: “The people here, staff and patients, are my family.”
“That is what sets FRH apart, and what makes it a special place,” explains Marcia Hansen, Vice President of Patient Care Services. “Not only does FRH offer our community top quality medical care, but it truly is a community hospital, and its doctors, staff, volunteers, patients, and visitors not only feel like family; they often are family. The Three Rivers Region has a rich history, and many families have been here for generations. Because of that, many of the people who are on staff here grew up in this community, and this hospital has been a part of the fabric of their lives since their childhood. That kind of connection, history, and ownership creates a warmth and a sense of belonging that patients can feel when they come through our doors. “
That sense of connection certainly exists for Mandy Pickess. To Mandy, like so many others in Franklin and the neighboring communities, FRH is part of her history. “I came to Franklin in 1941,” says Mandy. “Franklin Regional Hospital was my hospital then, and I’m still proud to call it my hospital today.”
Peruse historic displays and memorabilia; reminisce with staff, friends, and neighbors; and enjoy strawberry shortcake and live music under the tent. We hope you can join us for this celebration of FRH’s first 100 years!
Early Screening to Fight Colorectal Cancer
Financial Assistance for Lifesaving Screening Available
LACONIA & FRANKLIN, NH - Maria, 62, had her first colonoscopy nine years ago, and was pleased at that time to get a clean bill of health. She recently had her second colonoscopy, and this time, her doctor, Dr. Valentin Milchev of Laconia Clinic, found a polyp. “I was very surprised they found something,” she says. “I had no reason to believe anything was wrong, but I know that screening colonoscopies are important. A friend of mine in Florida didn’t have insurance, and couldn’t afford a colonoscopy, so he never had one. He passed away from colon cancer. I know a lot of people are nervous about getting colonoscopies, but it’s really not so bad-and there’s no question it’s worth it when you consider the fact that it can save your life.”
Just like Maria, many people whose polyps are discovered during routine screening colonoscopies have no indication that there’s anything wrong. That’s why screening colonoscopies are so important.
“Colorectal cancer killed more than 50,000 people in the United States last year alone,” says Laconia Clinic General Surgeon Dr. Savitri Rambissoon. “In fact, it is the third most common type of cancer. However, the good news is that over the past two decades, the rate of colorectal cancer deaths has been steadily dropping. That decline is a result of the rise in screening colonoscopy. This procedure doesn’t just enable early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer, which does lead to better outcomes, but often, by removing polyps during the procedure, we can prevent colorectal cancer from developing at all.”
“The American Cancer Society recommends that both men and women of average risk begin colorectal cancer screening at age 50. There are a number of options for tests that screen for colorectal cancer, but fewer options for tests that both screen for cancer and also check for polyps. While screening tests are good, it is ideal for men and women over the age of 50 to get a screening colonoscopy at least every 10 years, or more often as recommended by their doctor.”
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, will provide coverage for routine screening colonoscopies or other screening tests. However, LRGHealthcare wants to make sure these tests are available to all of our patients, regardless of insurance coverage.
To ensure that every patient in our community has access to the screening tests that they need to keep them healthy, LRGHealthcare created the Screening Bridge Program, through which patients who qualify based on financial guidelines receive the screenings they need at a minimal cost. Screenings included in the program include colon cancer and breast cancer screening, as well as screening for indicators of diabetes and high cholesterol.
In addition, LRGHealthcare is currently participating in the New Hampshire Colorectal Screening Program. Through this program, for a limited time, which can be offered to patients who qualify based on financial guidelines FREE screening colonoscopies
“Colorectal screenings and colonoscopies are vital to protecting our health,” says Dr. Rambissoon. “There is no reason that anyone in our community who meets recommended age guidelines should forego this procedure. It could save your life.”
If you are over the age of 50, and have not had a colonoscopy in the past ten years, call your primary care provider today. If you have financial barriers to accessing a colonoscopy or other screening tests, please call the Screening Bridge Program at 527-7000; or the New Hampshire Colorectal Screening Program at (603) 653-3702
LAKE SUNAPEE REGION VNA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST ADVOCATES FOR WHEELCHAIR BILL ON CAPITOL HILL
Joanne Farrar, Occupational Therapist with Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice (LSRVNA), on her way to Washington, DC. LSRVNA serves the Lake Sunapee and Upper Valley regions of New Hampshire and cares for many individuals impacted by this and other health care legislation.
New London, NH: Joanne Farrar, MS, OTR/L, ATP, who works for Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, attended a conference in Washington, DC in April to advocate to five New Hampshire and Vermont congressmen on Capitol Hill for the improvement of access to wheelchairs and durable medical equipment. Farrar met with New Hampshire Representative Paul Hodes, who co-sponsored H.R. 3790, a proposed bill that would facilitate getting disabled Medicare recipients complex rehab technology products and services in a cost effective process and with fewer delays.
Although well-intentioned, competitive bidding does not work for Medicare patients because it threatens to put local vendors out of business. In addition, it may result in the homebound patient’s caregiver in rural areas to travel long distances to different vendors for each piece of durable medical equipment they need. Complex rehab equipment regulations need to be streamlined to minimize delays, stronger and reliable supplier standards need to be established, and appropriate funding for vendor services and complex power wheelchairs need to be reimbursed their actual cost. Medicare is currently reimbursing vendors about half the actual cost of power wheelchairs and other essential medical equipment, and vendors across the country are struggling to stay in business.
We applaud Joanne for her commitment to indviduals in need of this specialized equipment.
