NORWAY — When Barbara Deschenes was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, she felt conflicting senses of fear, confidence and resolve. She had a lot questions. “You’re not expecting a cancer diagnosis — and who is?” Deschenes said. Cancer-free since 2012, Deschenes and a group of survivors have set up the region’s first cancer center to help patients navigate the […]
cancer
Posted inMaine
Horse brings family together, helps them cope with challenges
With a quiet nudge, Dalaylun Demmons, 15, of Milford moves her horse, Boston, forward around a practice arena at Starwalk Stable in Orono. His breath fogs in the frigid air as she leans into his neck and whispers in his ear, urging him to pick up speed. The pair are seamless, melting into one another […]
advertisement
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
‘Death with Dignity’ advocate dies
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Brittany Maynard stuck by her decision. The terminally ill woman who revived a national debate about physician-assisted suicide ended her life Saturday by swallowing lethal drugs made available under Oregon’s law that allows terminally ill people to end their lives. She would have been 30 on Nov. 19. Maynard had been […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Rumford Eagles to host supper, dance to benefit longtime member
RUMFORD — The Rumford Falls Eagles will host a spaghetti supper and dance Friday, Oct. 3, to benefit a longtime member and volunteer recently diagnosed with cancer. The supper and dance is in honor of Linda Bulger Gaskill, who was diagnosed in May with lung, brain and liver cancer. Carolyn Perry, one of Gaskill’s friends, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Dempsey Challenge begins on ‘a beautiful day to save a life’
LEWISTON — “It’s a beautiful day to save a life.” That phrase, printed on bright pink T-shirts worn by one of the Dempsey Challenge teams at Saturday’s run/walk event, summed up the sentiments of thousands of people at the sixth annual fundraiser for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Hope and Healing. Opening under bright sun […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Red Eddies raising money to aid Dempsey Center
AUBURN — Rakiya Mohamed barely took a breath as she ran through her pitch — selling a coin-like coupon to dinner patrons at Gritty McDuff’s — before bustling back to her team with a smile and a $20 bill. Moments later, other teens arrived holding $5 and $10 bills and bundles of $1 bills for […]
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills, River Valley
Former Rumford selectman, Oxford County commissioner remembered
RUMFORD — Thursday morning was bittersweet on Penobscot Street at the Kennard family house for Carolyn Kennard and her daughter, Margery Kennard. The two women were reminiscing and preparing to go through several family photo albums. Specifically, they were looking for pictures of Fredric L. Kennard — Carolyn’s husband of 52 years, and Margery’s beloved […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Young adults healing from cancer’s other wounds
LEWISTON — Three weeks before the start of classes at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Dalton Bouchles’ headaches worsened. A doctor discovered that the 18-year-old’s vision was waning in one eye. Later came a CT scan, an emergency meeting with a doctor and his diagnosis: He had a brain tumor. Almost two years later, surgery has eradicated […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet has successful surgery to remove kidney tumor
NEW YORK — New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet says he had successful surgery over the weekend to remove a malignant tumor from his kidney. The paper says Baquet told staff in an email Monday that he will spend about week recovering before returning to the newsroom. Baquet says doctors discovered the tumor Thursday […]