Relay for Life to host survivor, caregiver luncheon at Nolan Field in Ansonia

 

Ansonia recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

As a 10-year breast cancer survivor I was happy see this post today on the City of Ansonia Facebook page!

Performance to benefit Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Singer Mark Solotruk

SEYMOUR - A Shelton cancer survivor will be taking the stage to help others fight the disease.

Mark Solotruk and the Orchard Hill Band are hosting “Rock Out for Cancer” June 9 from 1-5 p.m. at M.A.G.’s Pizza, Bar & Grill, 15 Klarides Village Drive. 
The event is a benefit for the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 18-13. Children under 12 are free.

Orchard Hill Band specializes in covering more than four decades of classic rock favorites.

Solotruk was diagnosed with base of the tongue carcinoma in 2018 and received more than 30 radiation treatments at the Center for Cancer Care from May to July. 
As a singer, the diagnosis was especially hard on Solotruk. Instead of letting the disease bring him down, Solotruk strengthened his resolve to not only beat the cancer, but return to sing for a family picnic scheduled shortly after his treatments. 
The day before his show, Solotruk came to the Center with feelings of dehydration. 
The staff hooked him up to an IV, and within hours he had the strength he needed to perform the next day - an act for which he is forever thankful to the Center’s staff.

For more information about Rock Out for Cancer, contact Laura Murphy at lkmurphy@griffinhealth.org or 203-732-7466. For more information about Orchard Hill Band, visit orchardhillband.com.

About the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital

Opened in October, 2008, Griffin Hospital's Center for Cancer Care provides care that's comprehensive, comforting, and close to home. The Center provides access to Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology, Surgical Oncology, and a range of affiliated physicians under the same roof in a Planetree-inspired healing environment. 
Support services include a Patient Care Navigator, dietary/nutritional consultations, genetic counseling, social work services, spiritual care, education and support groups, and a variety of non-traditional therapies to reduce anxiety. 
For more information, visit griffincancercenter.org or call 203-732-1260.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Recuperation journey: Celebrating life

On Monday I celebrated my eight-year cancerversary. 

No cake, no presents, just gratitude.

On Feb. 11, 2011 I was enjoying dinner with my family when my physician called and said something like this: 
"We got your mammogram results and they show that you have cancer." 

I don't remember the exact words, or what he said after that. 
I do know that marked the day my breast cancer journey - two surgeries, months of chemo and radiation, lymphedema - began. 
I'm grateful to be here to write about it.

When I was first diagnosed one of my surgeon's nurses reassured me by saying "before you know it, this will all be in your rear-view mirror."
She was right.

I know I speak for all survivors when I say it's wonderful to celebrate another year.

Recuperation journey: I went, I saw, I dug

The second annual Diamond Dig at Marks of Design in Shelton Thursday was a lot of fun. 

With all of the proceeds going to The Valley Goes Pink how could I not donate $40 to get a bucket and dig for a 1.04 carat diamond? 
I may not have found it, but I did capture quite a few colorful gemstones hidden in the sand that can be turned into pieces of jewelry.

The Valley Goes Pink is Griffin Hospital's grassroots initiative to raise awareness about breast health and support for the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness in Derby.

Goldsmith Kate Marks, owner, Marks of Design, strikes a pose at the sand-filled trough where gemstones and the diamond were hidden. 
Last year's Diamond Dig raised $10,000 for The Valley Goes Pink, Marks said.

I hope there's a third annual Diamond Dig; I'll be there.
   

Vigil in Shelton to honor survivors, remember victims of domestic violence

SHELTON - Every October, the nation observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring light to an issue that affects all of our communities. 

Every nine seconds, a woman is battered in the U.S.
One in four women and one in seven men in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lives.

To raise awareness about domestic violence, BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services will hold a vigil to honor survivors and remember the victims of domestic violence. 

The candlelight vigil will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the gazebo on the Huntington Green. 

In the event of rain, the vigil will be held at Huntington Congregational Church Fellowship Hall, 19 Church St.

Charles Forcier, CSSD Regional Manager for Family Services, will be keynote speaker. 

Police to be recognized 
Local police officers will be recognized for their role in the fight against domestic violence. 

The following will be recognized: Trooper Michael Thomas from Bethany State Police Troop, Officer Thomas Gugliotti and Officer Scott McCue from Oxford Resident Trooper’s Office, Lt. Andrew Cota from Ansonia Police Department and Det. Richard Bango from Shelton Police Department.

For more information about the vigil, or about domestic violence services call 203-736-2601, ext. 1381, or visit www.bhcare.org. 
If you need immediate assistance, call our 24-hour domestic violence hotline 1-888-774-2900.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, over 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. Learn more at bhcare.org.


This is a press release from BHcare.

Consider helping a local family facing serious health issues

Ansonia native Keith Solsbury and his wife, Seymour native Maggie Solsbury, have been struggling for way too long with a multitude of health problems that in turn have led to major financial issues.

Keith, an 11-year survivor of esophageal cancer, is not able to work.

They are struggling to make ends meet. 

I'm posting a link to a Giveforward page that a friend of theirs has set up, in an effort to help them.

This link will bring you to the page where you can read about their family's plight.

And this is a link to a blog post I wrote about the Solsburys in April, 2015.

Please consider helping Keith and Maggie. 

Oxford resident to share her cancer journey at Griffin Hospital 5K Walk/Run

Anne Cristanti of Oxford will be featured speaker at the 5K Walk/Run to Benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital June 4. / Contributed photo

DERBY - It has been almost a year since Anne Cristanti walked out the lobby doors of the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby and completed her nine months of intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

For some, there is no desire to return to the place where they underwent a long and physically draining treatment regimen, but Cristanti says it’s not hard to come back to the center for her aftercare visits because it reminds her of how she was treated humanely and compassionately during her battle with cancer.

On June 4, the Oxford resident will return to the center to share her cancer journey and her thanks for the center as the featured speaker at the Eighth Annual 5K Walk/Run to Benefit the Center for Cancer Care. 

A survivor of triple negative breast cancer that required 28 weeks of chemotherapy and 30 weeks of radiation treatments, she is proud to share her cancer journey and hopes to provide encouragement for those undergoing treatment, as well as highlight the strength of her fellow cancer survivors. Above all, Cristanti said she hopes her talk will provide the same support, warmth and hope she experiences at the Center throughout her continued treatment.

“I think all cancer centers should be like this place,” Cristanti said of the Center for Cancer Care and the Smilow Cancer Care Center oncology service located in the Center for Cancer Care. 

“When you enter the building, the atmosphere of the place just looks beautiful to the eye and all the staff greet you with smiles and hellos. The nurses, the techs, phlebotomists, secretaries, doctors, social workers - just everyone - cares about you not as just a patient, but as a whole person. Every time I came here, they knew me by name, and my care was really personable. It was unbelievable, and it made me feel like I wasn’t alone and very cared for.”

A perfect example of this personal compassion happened on Cristanti’s first visit to the Center. The chemotherapy drugs made her extremely nauseous and sick. As she was checking in, the office staff responded with compassion for her wellbeing and sympathy for her feelings, letting Cristanti know that her comfort was just as important as her treatment. They had her take a seat and brought her all the items she needed for that visit.

The caring and calming nature of the staff at the Center for Cancer Care was supported by the Center’s serene, spa-like atmosphere, which includes a healing garden and waterfall that patients can look out on while receiving treatments. 

Cristanti took advantage of many of the center’s wellness offerings, which include free massages, Soft Touch and Reiki, as well as patient services like post-operative Pilates classes for breast cancer survivors, support groups, and physical therapy and speech therapy.

Cristanti also received a free wig and salon services through the fund supported by the 5K Walk/Run. Proceeds from the event support the Center’s free patient service programs and cover special patient needs such as wigs, transportation needs, groceries, and medical supplies like lymphedema sleeves.

Being treated as a whole person and being in a calm and relaxing environment is unfortunately not commonplace during her cancer treatment, Cristanti said. She recalls a number of times when she went to another center for treatment and felt like just another number being sent though a system.

“You get spoiled because you expect the same treatment as you got at Griffin, and when you go to other places, you get miffed,” she said. “It’s funny, but I looked forward to going to the Center for Cancer Care even though I hated going for the treatment.”

It will also be a return to the Walk/Run for Cristanti. She walked in the event last year and enjoyed the community spirit of the event. She believes the event also brings an important awareness to the state of breast cancer in the Connecticut, where an estimated 1 in 8 women will be affected.

“It’s a horrible illness and you get to meet many heroes along the way who are right there with you to help you though it,” she said. “The nurses, support staff, social workers and doctors are truly wonderful in that they understand the depth of this illness and give it their all.”

The 5K Walk/Run invites all area cancer survivors to come to the event. 

There will be a special Survivors’ Tent with food, gifts and information about local cancer support resources. The Survivors’ Tent will be open at 8 a.m. on June 4. The tent is sponsored by Jefferson Radiology.

Check-in for the 5K Walk/Run begins at 7:30 a.m. in the Center for Cancer Care parking lot, 350 Seymour Ave.

The Walk/Run is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. 

To register or for more information, visit griffinhealth.org/5k or email 5kwalkrun@griffinhealth.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Holocaust survivor speaks at Ansonia High School

Fairfield resident Elizabeth Deutsch, center, a Holocaust survivor, was a guest speaker Friday at Ansonia High School. With her are AHS English teachers Amy Donofrio, left, and Christine Davis.

On Friday I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth Deutsch, 87, a Holocaust survivor. She spoke about her experiences to students and staff at Ansonia High School. A native of Hungary, Deutsch was 12 when World War II broke out.

I'm in the midst of writing a story today about her riveting presentation. Her message, in a nutshell, is "Never, ever forget the Holocaust."


Stay tuned for the story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.