Recuperation journey: Gratitude

As I try my best to help Cameron without bothering him during the day - he can work remotely - I realize how grateful I am to now be able to do whatever he needs.

It's fortuitous that if his horrible bike accident had to happen (there must be a reason it did) it occurred after I had recovered from my kidney transplant. 

Thank goodness it didn't happen when I was in my first three critical months of recuperation. I wouldn't have been up to doing what he needs.

Next week I'll mark my six-month anniversary of the transplant. Another reason for me to be grateful.

Dueling recuperation journeys? I suppose so.

Valley Council slates annual meeting, awards presentation in Shelton

SHELTON - The Valley Council for Health & Human Services will hold its annual Breakfast Meeting and Awards Presentation Dec. 5 at Brownson Country Club. 

Patrick Charmel

It will feature a keynote presentation by Griffin Hospital President/CEO Patrick Charmel. 

Currently serving almost 20 years as President/CEO of Griffin, Charmel has championed many issues related to health and human services in the Valley.  

Valley Council for Health & Human Services is a partnership network of more than 40 nonprofits working to improve the quality of life for residents in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.  

Each year the Council presents awards to individuals and agencies whose significant contribution has improved the quality of life of Valley residents. 
Joseph A. Pagliaro Jr. was selected to receive the prestigious Richard O. Belden Community Service Award in honor of the late state Rep. Richard O. Belden.  
This award is for an individual or organization outside the nonprofit sector whose efforts have made a significant contribution to improving the quality of life of residents in the Lower Naugatuck Valley.  

Ian Parsells and Jennifer DeLeon-Prutting were selected to receive the Lewis Savitsky Staff Excellence Award. 
This award is presented to an individual(s) for extraordinary service as an employee in the nonprofit community who has made a positive impact on the quality of life of residents in the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 
The award is named in honor of Lewis Savitsky, a long-time employee of Valley United Way.  

St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank of Derby was selected to receive the Agency of the Year Award. 
It is presented to a nonprofit agency or a program within a nonprofit agency whose staff and volunteers exemplify excellence in the community and whose services have made a significant and lasting contribution to the health and well-being of the residents of the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

The meeting and awards presentation, sponsored by Valley Community Foundation, will be held from 8-10 a.m. at Brownson Country Club. 
Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. 

For information on how to register visit Valley Council for Health & Human Services at www.valleycouncil.org or visit our Facebook page.


This is a press release from Valley Council for Health & Human Services.

Grief education center in Shelton to hold volunteer trainings in November

Sharing information from Adam's House grief education center, 241 Coram Ave., Shelton.

Do you want to support grieving children and their families? 
Become a "Friend In Grief" (FIG)!

​Next training sessions will be held: 

Nov. 9 (5-8 p.m.), Nov. 10 (5-8 p.m.), and Nov. 11 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.). 

​

All three sessions are necessary to complete training.

*Register Here*

Church in Orange to present Holiday Fantasy of Trees

Derby collecting coffee, tea, cocoa in November for SVDP food bank

Griffin Hospital in Derby to offer free prostate cancer screenings

Griffin Hospital will offer free prostate cancer screenings from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 15./ Submitted photo

DERBY - Griffin Hospital will offer free prostate cancer screenings from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer screenings are recommended for men at 50 years old. 

Men at higher risk, including African-American men and men who have a first-degree relative (father or brother) diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65, should be screened at age 45. Men at a very high risk (multiple family members diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65 years) should be tested at age 40.

“We strongly encourage the men in our community to take advantage of these free screenings,” said Dr. Fred Browne, vice president of Medical Affairs at Griffin Hospital. “As the third-leading cancer killer in men, prostate cancer is a serious disease, but it can be successfully treated if caught at an early stage. 

"This event will be a combination of preventative screening and education, so men know what symptoms to look for and they can share this information with friends, family and neighbors.”

The screening will take 10-15 minutes. Space for the screenings is limited; early registration is encouraged. 

To register, call 203-732-1280.

About Prostate Cancer

Approximately 1 in 7 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Screening is critical because early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. 

More advanced prostate cancers sometimes cause symptoms, such as:

• Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream or the need to urinate more often, especially at night;
• Blood in the urine or semen;
• Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED);
• Pain in the hips, back (spine), chest (ribs), or other areas from cancer that has spread to bones;
• Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control from cancer pressing on the spinal cord.  

If you have any of these warning signs, do not wait for the free screenings. 

Contact your physician immediately, call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologists at 203-732-2651 or visit griffinfacultyphysicians.org.  

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Firefighters to visit children at Plumb Memorial Library in Shelton

Registration is not required. The Library is at 65 Wooster St., Shelton.

Artists sought for Ansonia's Holiday Marketplace