Griffin Health in Derby to offer living with diabetes sessions in July

DERBY - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living will host a session of its free diabetes self-management program this July to help empower individuals to improve their well-being.

Living Healthy with Diabetes is a free, three-week diabetes self-management program that engages participants in learning and discussing clinical and lifestyle self-management behaviors to improve their health, blood sugars, emotional wellness, and quality of life. The program integrates trusted information from the National Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Curriculum to empower individuals diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to manage their health and well-being.

There will be a session on Thursdays July 9, 16, and 23 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

At weekly meetings, Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist Carolyn Gundell, MS, CDCES, will guide participants to manage their well-being with insightful education on healthy eating, weight management, physical activity, medication, glucose technology, health-related risk management, and coping with a chronic condition.

This free wellness program is part of Griffin’s commitment to improve community wellness through free education, guidance and assistance in preventing and managing chronic disease. Griffin’s mission is to empower individuals to make choices that change their lifestyles for the better, and to go beyond caring for individuals when they are not well by building a meaningful relationship, guiding, and coaching them to maximize their quality of life.

Register at griffinhealth.org/living-healthy-with-diabetes or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up or for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin Health Center in Oxford to host cooking demo on natural health tonics

OXFORD - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Teaching Kitchen will host a free nutrition education presentation and cooking demonstration about natural health tonics.

Natural Health Tonics to Boost Immunity will be  Oct. 30 at 5:15 p.m. at The Griffin Center for Healthy Living at Quarry Walk, 300 Oxford Road.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, former Executive Director of Massaro Farm and sustainable nutrition expert Caty Poole will discuss natural health tonics that are high in vitamin C and how the natural antiviral properties of herbs and honey can be a powerhouse to fight common germs during cold and flu season and can be helpful in preventing cancer. 

Poole will also demonstrate how to make the immunity boosting fire cider and elderberry syrup.

Space is limited so registration is required. 

Visit www.griffinhealth.org/natural-tonics or call The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Griffin 5K Walk/Run raises record $85K for cancer care services

DERBY – The 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital set a new fundraising record Sept. 20 with sponsorships and more than 500 participants contributing more than $85,000 for local cancer care services and patient support programs.

“This 5K provides hope, comfort and resources to cancer patients,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. “Your presence here today supports the Center for Cancer Care in its mission to help your friends, family and neighbors with highly advanced, person-centered care, and treatment, crucial nourishment and free health education and programs that empower them to recover and enhance the quality of their lives.”

The event featured awards for the top individual fundraiser and top team fundraiser selected from the 23 teams. 

The winner of the William C. Powanda Memorial Award for the top fundraiser was Stephanie Ventimiglia, of Derby, who raised more than $3,600. 

Team Aversa, which participates in the event in memory of Dr. John M. Aversa, Sr. won the Team Synergy Award as the top fundraising team, raising more than $10,000. Kyle Mordecai was the winner of the Make It Happen Spirit Award, which recognizes an individual who exhibits tireless effort and support for the event.

The D’Addario Auto Group was this year’s Presenting Sponsor. Additional sponsors were Jefferson Radiology, The Edge Fitness, The Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut, Physicians Alliance of Connecticut, CED Technologies, Ion Bank Foundation, In-Home Angels, Centek Engineering, Forest Construction, Telix, Smilow Cancer Hospital, Stelray, Drs. Sudipta & Bindu Dey, Teamsters Local 1150, Star 99.9, and Key Auto Group.

Donations are still being accepted at griffinhealth.org/5k or via mail to The Griffin Development Fund, 130 Division St., Derby, CT 06418.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Health in Derby offers 6-week Healthy for Life program

DERBY - The Griffin Center for Healthy Living will offer a session of its innovative high blood sugar management program this month.

Healthy for Life with Elevated Blood Sugar is a free, six-week program designed for individuals diagnosed with either pre-diabetes or diabetes to help them control their elevated blood sugar.

There will be a session on Mondays, Jan. 20 and 27, and Feb. 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 2-3:30 p.m. at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

Participants will be empowered to manage their elevated blood sugar though education on healthy eating, weight management, physical activity, medication and glucose management technology, health related risks, coping skills, and healthy lifestyle goal setting. 

Based on the National Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and The American Heart Association Healthy for Life, this program engages participants in learning and discussing clinical and lifestyle self-management behaviors to support optimizing their health, blood sugars, quality of life and psychosocial factors.

Register at griffinhealth.org/healthy-for-life or contact The Griffin Center for Healthy Living Coordinator at 203-732-1369 to sign up or for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Griffin Health in Derby offers free smoking cessation program

DERBY - Griffin Health offers education, advice, and support to help individuals prepare to quit smoking with an upcoming session of its free tobacco and nicotine cessation program.

“That’s It – Learn to Quit” teaches a variety of methods to help individuals quit smoking over the course of six weekly meetings. 

There will be sessions at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital on Mondays Jan. 13, 20, and 27, and Feb. 3, 10, and 17 from 5:30-7 p.m., and on Mondays Jan. 20 and 27, and Feb. 3, 10, 17, and 24 from 2-3:30 p.m.

The program encourages participants to acknowledge and honor past successes in their goal to quit tobacco. 

The goal is to help individuals learn how to stop using tobacco without the guilt, shame, and fear of failure by teaching several different methods of quitting and managing nicotine withdrawal. Through group discussion and interactive activities, participants learn how to develop a quit plan that addresses their personal behaviors and habits. 

Strategies to manage nicotine withdrawal, behaviors, triggers, and urges are discussed as well as weight control and stress management.

Participants must be prepared to attend all six sessions. 

To register, visit griffinhealth.org/tobacco-cessation or call 203-732-1369.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

16th annual 5K raises more than $50,000 for Center for Cancer Care at Griffin

Contributed photo

DERBY - More than 400 participants raised over $50,000 at the 16th Annual 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Center for Cancer Care on Sept. 28.

“Today, you are doing your part to help improve the health and well-being of others,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. 

“Since the Center for Cancer Care opened its doors in 2008, more than 5,000 of our family members, friends, and neighbors have been diagnosed with cancer and more than 300 additional individuals are diagnosed with and have to face the challenges of cancer every year. The Center for Cancer Care is here to help those individuals with highly advanced, person-centered care, and treatment, crucial nourishment, and free health education and programs that empower them to recover and enhance the quality of their lives.”

The event featured awards for the top individual fundraiser and top team fundraiser selected from the 17 teams. 

The winner of the William C. Powanda Memorial Award for the top fundraiser was Stephanie Ventimiglia, of Derby, who raised nearly $3,000. Team Aversa, which participates in the event in memory of Dr. John M. Aversa, Sr. won the Team Synergy Award as the top fundraising team, raising approximately $5,000. 

Tracey Pittman, of Ansonia, was the winner of the Make It Happen Spirit Award, which recognizes an individual who exhibits tireless effort and support for the event.

The Walk/Run was sponsored by CED Technologies, Jefferson Radiology, CT Dermatology, Physicians Alliance of Connecticut, Astra Zeneca, Ion Bank, Smilow Cancer Hospital, Stelray, Drs. Sudipta & Bindu Dey, Teamsters Local 1150, All About You!, Star 99.9 FM, Regional Water Authority, Centrix, Unidine, and Stani Dairy. 

Donations are still being accepted at griffinhealth.org/5k or via mail to The Griffin Development Fund, 130 Division St., Derby, CT 06418.

This is a press release from Griffin Health.

Register now for 5K to benefit Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby

Join us for the Annual 5K Walk-Run to Benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital

Register now for our 16th YEAR! Encourage your family and friends to sign up, collect donations, and walk or run with us on Saturday, Sept. 28. All proceeds are dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized cancer care and to help ease the financial burden Griffin's cancer patients face as they undergo treatment.  Thank you for helping our patients. Don't miss the Early Bird registration discount! Register online at griffinhealth.org/5K by Sept. 15 to save $5!

Questions? Contact Laura Howell at 203-732-1263 or lhowell@griffinhealth.org.

Prostate screening slated at Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., and the Health Initiative for Men (HiM) will host free prostate cancer screenings from 3-5:30 p.m. Nov. 9.

The screening is sponsored by HiM, which encourages men to have an annual physical and to raise awareness about men’s health issues such as prostate cancer and colorectal cancer. For more information about HiM, visit griffinhealth.org/him.

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.

Approximately 1 in 8 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. As with most cancers, early diagnosis is important to improve chances of cure. Screening, although controversial, is important because early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. 

There have been tremendous advances in the treatment of prostate cancer making treatments more effective and causing much less side effects.

The screenings will take 10-15 minutes. Space for the free screenings is limited, so early registration is encouraged. 

To register, call 203-732-1260.

For further information on prostate health, individuals should contact their primary care physician or call Griffin Faculty Physicians Urologists at 203-732-2651 to schedule a consultation.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Sharing FB memory from 2018: Thoughts on Griffin 5K, Center for Cancer Care

Griffin Health in Derby offers 4-week smoking cessation program

 

DERBY - Griffin Health offers free education, advice, and support to help individuals prepare to quit smoking with its four-week smoking cessation program starting Dec. 8.

“That’s It – Learn to Quit” teaches a variety of methods to help individuals quit smoking. The program consists of Wednesday night meetings from 5:30-7 p.m. scheduled for Dec. 8, 15, 22, and 29 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

“The goal of the program is to help you learn how to quit,” said Richard Le Pera, a co-coordinator of the program. “There are different methods of quitting and managing nicotine withdrawal. If one method didn’t work for you in the past, we’ll help you understand all your options.”

Through group discussion and interactive activities, participants learn how to develop a quit plan that addresses their personal behaviors and habits. 

Strategies to manage nicotine withdrawal, behaviors, triggers, and urges are discussed as well as weight control and stress management.

Participants must be prepared to attend all four sessions.

To register for “That’s It – Learn to Quit,” call 203-732-7106.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Wesley Village residents share 'Hearts of Hope' with Griffin patients

Crosby Commons residents deliver Hearts of Hope and pink prayer shawls for breast cancer patients to The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby. 

Pictured from left: Steve Pecylak, Jen Mortati, Audrey Kaszuba, Roz Bagley, Jo Asaro.

SHELTON - With the arrival of October, residents at Crosby Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community have no shortage of fall activities, events, and fall projects to keep them busy. 

Their most recent project was a creative one, a collaboration with the Hearts of Hope organization and the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby.  

Early this month Crosby Commons residents partnered with Hearts of Hope to paint small, ceramic hearts for local breast cancer patients. Gwen Cook, coordinator of the Stratford, Connecticut chapter of Hearts of Hope, delivered the hearts to the senior living community. Individuals and groups are able to purchase hearts to paint for a special cause. 

Activities Director Lauren Donovan and Director of Community Outreach Lisa Bisson, helped to organize the project, which was well received by residents, with over a dozen people expressing interest in painting and delivering the hearts. 

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the community chose to donate the hearts specifically to breast cancer patients. 

“We are always looking for new outlets for our residents to use their interests and talents to do good in the world. This was a project we have never done before and everyone was very excited to be part of it,” Donovan said.

What is a heart of hope? “A Heart of Hope is a small handmade ceramic heart that is hand painted by people who seek to make a difference in the world. The heart is the magical combination of the human touch with a tangible object that offers hope to people in a seemingly hopeless situation. It is a physical symbol of kindness, love and support.

Each painted heart is especially powerful because a complete stranger reached out in support in a time of need. Hearts are beautifully presented in an organza bag with a personal handwritten note of caring, which includes some information about the sender.” (https://ourheartsofhope.org/community-service/)

Crosby Commons residents and team members recently hand delivered the hearts, along with a few beautifully knit pink prayer shawls, created by the Wesley Village Hearts and Hands of Love prayer shawl ministry. 

Crosby resident Audrey Kaszuba said, “I love arts and crafts so whenever we are working on a project like this, I try to be part of it. When I found out we would be donating the hearts to the Griffin Cancer Center, I knew I wanted to get involved and to be there to deliver them.”

“I have been a patient with Dr. Barajas and her group at Griffin and I can’t say enough wonderful things about them,” said Kaszuba. “They all work together, hand in hand along with you through the whole process and are just fabulous. For me, it was like a little bit of payback to be able to support them in this way and do something special for other patients.” 

Griffin staff were delighted to receive the donation and expressed their thanks and appreciation on behalf of the patients. 

Wesley Village senior living campus is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. and is part of United Methodist Homes, a local not-for-profit organization. 

The Wesley Village campus offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing and short-term rehab. 

To learn more about Crosby Commons, Wesley Heights, Lifestyle Transitions, or Bishop Wicke Health Center, visit our website or contact us at 203.225.5024. 

To become part of the Wesley Village team, visit our website at: https://www.umh.org/career-opportunities-at-umh.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Walk/Run to benefit Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby raises $65K

More than 300 participants raised $65,000 at the 13th Annual 5K Walk/Run to benefit the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital./ Contributed photo

DERBY - More than 300 participants Sept. 25 raised an event record $65,000 at the 13th Annual 5K Walk/Run to Benefit the Center for Cancer Care 

“The success of the Center for Cancer Care 5K Walk-Run demonstrates just how close our community is, and how committed we all are to caring for each other,” said Griffin Health President and CEO Patrick Charmel. 

“The funds raised will provide support to our patients, from helping with expenses like groceries, utility and transportation bills, to providing salon services to give patients comfort and confidence.”

The event featured awards for the top individual fundraiser and top team fundraiser selected from the 315 participants and 24 teams. 

The winner of the William C. Powanda Memorial Award for the top fundraiser was Stephanie Ventimiglia of Derby, who raised more than $3,800. 

Team Aversa raised $13,200 and won the Team Synergy Award as the top fundraising team.

Barbara Scarpa of Derby was the winner of the new Make It Happen Spirit Award, which recognizes an individual who exhibits tireless effort and support.

The Walk/Run was sponsored by LaBonne’s Markets, Jefferson Radiology, D’Addario Auto Group, All About You!, Ion Bank Foundation, R.D. Scinto, Smilow Cancer Center, A&S Nathan Heating and Cooling, Forest Construction, Yale Therapeutic Radiology, and WEBE 108 FM. 

In-kind sponsors included BJ’s, Coca-Cola, Market 32, Rockland Bakery, ShopRite, Stani Dairy, Stop & Shop, and Unidine.

Donations are still being accepted at griffinhealth.org/5k or via mail to The Griffin Development Fund, 130 Division St., Derby,  06418.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Learn to quit smoking in 4-week program at Griffin Hospital in Derby

DERBY - Griffin Health offers free education, advice, and support to help individuals prepare to quit smoking with its four-week smoking cessation program starting Oct. 18.

“That’s It – Learn to Quit” teaches a variety of methods to help individuals quit smoking. 

The program consists of Monday night meetings from 5:30-7 p.m. scheduled for Oct. 18, and 25, and Nov. 1 and 8 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave.

“The goal of the program is to help you learn how to quit,” said Richard Le Pera, a co-coordinator of the program. “There are different methods of quitting and managing nicotine withdrawal. If one method didn’t work for you in the past, we’ll help you understand all your options.”

Through group discussion and interactive activities, participants learn how to develop a quit plan that addresses their personal behaviors and habits. 

Strategies to manage nicotine withdrawal, behaviors, triggers, and urges are discussed as well as weight control and stress management.

Participants must be prepared to attend all four sessions.

To register for “That’s It – Learn to Quit,” call 203-732-7106.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

Light the Valley CT to illuminate breast health, wellness at Quarry Walk in Oxford

Pre-screenings for lung cancer program slated at Griffin Hospital in Derby

The Center for Cancer Care to offer free pre-screenings for its Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program./ Contributed photo

DERBY - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., will offer free pre-screenings Dec. 16 for its Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening Program.

This event is part of Griffin’s commitment to help improve the health and well-being of its community. 

According to the 2019-20 Community Health Improvement Plan for the Naugatuck Valley, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the Valley and the rate of lung cancer death is higher than the state average.

Annual lung screening with low-dose computed tomography (CT) has been shown to save lives by detecting lung cancer early, when it is more treatable. 

This screening program is recommended for individuals ages 55-77 who have smoked at least an average of one pack of cigarettes a day for 30 years. This includes people who still smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. 

Those who currently have symptoms of a lung condition, such as a new cough or shortness of breath, are not eligible. 

Griffin recommends that individuals with lung condition symptoms see a physician as soon as possible.

The pre-screening will be conducted over the phone and participants will be directly referred to a physician specializing in lung cancer if they are a candidate for the program. 

Low dose CT lung cancer screening is covered by Medicare and most private insurance companies.

Spaces are limited. 

Call 203-732-1280 to make an appointment for the pre-screening phone call or for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.