Merrimack Valley Magazine

NoteWorthy – 3/8/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Community Teamwork’s YouthBuild of Greater Lowell Receives Skills Grant

Community Teamwork’s YouthBuild of Greater Lowell received a Skills Grant in the amount of $182,572. This will allow YouthBuild’s Culinary Arts vocational program to purchase a catering van which will enable the program to expand by 50% and improve the quality of its program for at-risk youth who participate.

The competitive grants are awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate partnerships with local businesses, as well as align curriculum and credentials with industry demand to maximize hiring opportunities in each region of the state.

 

Greater Lowell Community Foundation Announces Lowell Women’s Week Scholarship Fund

The Greater Lowell Community Foundation announced the establishment of the Lowell Women’s Week Scholarship Fund. This new scholarship fund honors the Lowell Women’s Week’s 25th anniversary.

This scholarship is expected to be awarded in Spring of 2021 at Lowell High School’s Honors Night with a preference for a Lowell High School student who identifies as a woman and who has been actively involved in making a community contribution.

Lowell Gallery Raises Funds For UMass Lowell Scholarship And Programs

Join The Brush Art Gallery & Studio on March 14 at 2 p.m., and you can leave with a work of art. The Brush’s Four by Four raises funds for the Brush Scholarship fund and Special Perspectives. A $1000 scholarship is granted to a deserving UMass Lowell art student.

Wellness Wednesday – 3/4/20

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WELLNESS TIP OF THE WEEK

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

By Dr. Jason Hemming, Gastroenterologist of Merrimack Valley Endoscopy Center/ Pentucket Medical

For the past 20 years, March has been designated as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. During this time, great progress has been made in improving disease awareness and prevention. Despite this, colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer diagnosis among men and women in the United States.

The American Cancer Society estimates 140,000 cases this year, along with 50,000 deaths. Colorectal cancer is unique in that 90% of these cases are treatable if detected early and therefore largely preventable.

It is universally recommended that colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 50 or earlier in those with a family history. Several different screening options are currently available with colonoscopy being the most well known and utilized. Colonoscopy has the advantage of being able to not only detect early-stage disease but also prevents its development by removing precancerous polyps if found.

There is no one “best screening test for all” as each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. Patients should discuss the available options with their PCP and make an educated decision as to which works best for them. Ultimately, the most important takeaway is to be screened for colorectal cancer with whatever test is most appropriate.

More information can be found online at Screen4ColonCancer.org or Cancer.org. If you have further questions or are looking to schedule a colonoscopy at Merrimack Valley Endoscopy Center, we can be reached at 1-(888) 227-3762 and located at 1 Park Way, Haverhill, Mass.

 

Is Your Child Ready for a Smartphone?

Parents of today’s time are faced with a difficult question; when is it the right time to purchase your child’s first smartphone? GreenChildMagazine.com looks to help parents with this predicament in a recent online article.

In short, your answer really depends on the maturity of your child; are they trustworthy, safe online and prepared for the responsibility that comes with a mobile device? Think about how you use your phone in front of your child, and what purpose having a phone should serve them.

GreenChildMagazine.com dives into all of these questions and more here.

Coronavirus Myths Busted By Science

As the coronavirus continues to spread, articles and social media posts about the outbreak continue to spread too. Unfortunately, this relentless flood of information can make it difficult to separate fact from fiction — and during a viral outbreak, rumors and misinformation can be dangerous.

LiveScience.com took the time to dispel some of the most popular Coronavirous myths in a recent article. Some of the myths include “face masks can protect you from the virus,” “pets can spread the virus” and “getting COVID-19 is a death sentence.”

Be sure to take the time to familiarize yourself with theses and other myths at LiveScience.com’s article here.

 

NoteWorthy – 2/2/20

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AROUND THE VALLEY

Dana-Farber Opens New Facility In Merrimack Valley

Following a festive ribbon cutting earlier this week, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is opening a new site this week in the Merrimack Valley offering expanded cancer and blood disorder care and outpatient services for adult patients in the region. The new site, located at 5 Branch Street in Methuen, unites the Dana-Farber physician practices in Lawrence and Methuen into one outpatient location.

With an environment similar to the Dana-Farber Longwood (Boston) location, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Merrimack Valley site has expanded space with 24 exam rooms and 32 infusion bays.

 

Ruth’s House Receives Grant From The Griffin-White Foundation For $10,750

L-r: Candy Lane, referral coordinator of Ruth’s House; Kimberley Smyly, store manager of Ruth’s House

Ruth’s House was awarded a $10,750 grant from the Griffin-White Foundation to help the indigent elderly and others live more comfortable, dignified lives. In Haverhill, 12% of the population are seniors, and 25% of Haverhill senior households have an annual income of less than $20,000. The Griffin-White Foundation grant supports several elder-based programs.

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union Awards $1,500 To Friends Of The Cameron Senior Center

L-r: Mark S. Cochran, president and chief executive officer of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union; Barbara Upperman, president of Friends of the Cameron Senior Center; Pat Reppucci, board member.

Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union announced the final winner of its 2019 Give-A-Click campaign, Friends of the Cameron Senior Center. The organization, located in Westford, Mass., received a $1,500 donation from the Credit Union’s We Share A Common Thread Foundation. 

Lanam Club Donates $3,500 To High Pointe House For Hospice And Palliative Care

L-r: Geoff Piva, general manager of the Andover Lanam Club; Lauren Brousseau, philanthropy manager of Home Health Foundation

Members of the Lanam Club, a business and social club in Andover, recently donated $3,500 to High Pointe House in Haverhill. The licensed, state-of-the-art hospice and palliative care residence of Merrimack Valley Hospice provides a home-like alternative to hospitalization for patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families.

The Lanam Club, which partnered with the Clive and Suzanne Fazioli Charitable Foundation and Flowers by Steve, raised the funds through its Fall Harvest event featuring a three-course dinner prepared by Chef Richard Gianelly, dancing and a wine tasting. 

Merrimack Valley Hospice Achieves Three-Star Status In We Honor Veterans Program

Merrimack Valley Hospice, which provides compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual care for those with life-limiting illness, recently achieved the third of four partner levels available through We Honor Veterans, an innovative program developed by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

The distinction recognizes that Merrimack Valley Hospice, which supports patients and their families with hospice and palliative care services in a variety of settings, has improved care and access for veterans by developing and strengthening relationships with medical centers and other veteran organizations. 

Gary Jaffarian And Jaffarian Volvo Awarded The Volvo Excellence Award For A Third Consecutive Year

Jaffarian Volvo received the Volvo Excellence Award from Volvo Cars USA for a third consecutive year. The Volvo Excellence Award recognizes those who deliver exceptional results in all aspects of a dealership’s operations. Jaffarian Volvo is the only New England Volvo Dealership that has earned this prestigious award in their category for exceeding both Volvo sales and customer satisfaction goals three consecutive years in a row.

The award qualifications include exceeding sales expectations, customer satisfaction for sales and service, achieved outstanding parts and accessories sales, and ensuring that each Jaffarian Volvo employee met Volvo’s extensive training requirements.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Lowell Woman Among Winners Of UMass Lowell MLK Awards

UMass Lowell presented its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Awards on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to individuals whose efforts advance the legacy of the civil rights leader. Christa Brown of Lowell was honored as the founder of the Free Soil Arts Collective, a theater organization that gives voice to underrepresented populations in the Merrimack Valley. Other winners were UMass Lowell Assistant Prof. Sabrina Noel Feldeisen for her work to improve the health of Lowell and Lawrence residents through nutrition and nursing major Marbella Leal of Framingham for her volunteer efforts in the community.

 

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