WOMEN'S HEALTH ~ Caring Connections 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 has recently been notified the Avon Breast Care Foundation will assist Caring Connections with a supplemental grant in 2008 - the THIRD year Avon is assisting this need program. Download ENCOREplus Newsletter July - August 2008 Download ENCOREplus Newsletter May - June 2008 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. 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 though 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 in Eastern and Northern Maine give a packet containing a foundation book and other resource materials to women on the day of diagnosis. Bridging Books is funded by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - Maine Affiliate. Bridging Books provided resource packets to more than 300 women in eight counties in 2006. ENCOREplus ENCOREplus is a national YWCA program designed to assist women diagnosed with breast cancer. ENCOREplus offers a safe environment of support and understanding for women with questions and concerns that accompany a diagnosis of breast cancer. ENCOREplus groups meet regularly in Bangor, see times below, and in Calais, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Millinocket, Pittsfield and Presque Isle. Call Caring Connections for other meeting times and contact information at 941-2808. ENCOREplus in Bangor - Meetings MEETING Schedule: Wednesdays, 12:30pm Isaac Farrar Mansion on Union Street, Bangor. Swim time in the Means (warm water) Pool for ENCORE members who are interested - from 2 - 3 p.m. PLEASE NOTE! Summer Schedule for Wednesday ENCOREplus - 12:30 p.m. During the Summer months of June, July and August, the ENCOREplus Wednesday meetings will take place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. 2nd Tues of the month, 5:30 pm, Isaac Farrar Mansion on Union Street, Bangor. ENCOREplus - 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. DATES TO REMEMBER . . . ENCOREplus Summer Picnic - Wednesday, July 23rd. Gathering site is at the home of Maureen and Paul Greene on the lake in Newport. BEACH to BEACH - Sunday, August 10th. Caring Connections' biggest fundraiser of the year! How can you help? You can swim or you can kayak as a support person. You can help out at the beach. You can make a donation. You can tell all of your family and friends about BEACH to BEACH. NEW OPTION THIS YEAR! If you would like to swim and raise funds for us, but have other plans on August 10th, give us a call. Saturday, August 2nd and August 9th are set aside so you can complete your swim in the pool at the Bangor Y. ENCOREplus Retreat - Friday, September 5th at 4 p.m. through Saturday, September 6th at 7 p.m. This event is specifically for women who are living with breast cancer. The Retreat is held at Camp Jordan on Branch Lake, just outside of Ellsworth. Susan G. Komen for the Cure events: Race for the Cure - Sunday, September 21, 2008. Join our community team - the ENCORE ENERGIZERS. The Team is forming now and hopes to be the LARGEST community team and the community team that is the BIGGEST fundraiser for Race for the Cure. Survivors Reception - Saturday, September 20, 2008 Blues for the Cure - Friday, September 19, 2008 Back to Health & Fitness page.