Emerson Auxiliary Making a Difference for Bethke Patients

Bethke Cancer Center offers our community the best in cancer care with expert, state-of-the art treatment and the latest technology. The Center strives to provide not only the best possible treatment, but also to do everything possible to give patients a caring and comfortable setting in which to undergo their treatment.

To support this effort, the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary recently donated $18,000 to the Bethke Cancer Center. This donation will support patient care programs. Along with this monetary donation however, the Auxiliary also felt it important to support patients directly. The comfort quilts gift program, which was started in 2005, donates quilts to cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation. For the year 2007-2008, 137 quilts were lovingly made and donated—bringing the total number of quilts donated to 326. Several quilt making individuals and groups contribute to this effort including Concord Piece-makers, Material Girls, and Wayside Quilters. Rosaria T. Colosi, a breast cancer survivor and Auxiliary member also contributed significantly to this effort.

This year, the Auxiliary also donated thirty-six “anti-ouch pillows” to Bethke. These pillows, easily mistaken for a shoulder bag, are hand-made pillows that can be worn under the arm of patients to minimize the discomfort of cancer therapy or surgery. The effort was coordinated by Auxiliary member Mary Mahaney and the pillows were made by a group of 20 ladies at a sew-a-thon held at the Haartz Corporation in Acton. The majority of attendees were from the Boston Chapter of the American Sewing Guild. The anti-ouch pouches were distributed to Radiation Oncology, Medical Oncology and to the surgeon’s offices at Emerson.

The Auxiliary also provides each chemotherapy patient at Bethke with a gift certificate for 5 acupuncture treatments, and has also donated a sound system, head sets, relaxation CD’s, and Breast Cancer Handbooks for the treatment center.

According to Margaret Koch, Cancer Center Administrator for Bethke: “Through these additional supports, patients connect with the heart and soul of community members who’s gifts encourage them in their struggle and perhaps inspire them to find strength on a day when they had little. The Auxiliary’s generous contribution has helped to support Emerson in making Bethke Cancer Center a real jewel in our community.”

The Emerson Hospital Auxiliary supports Emerson Hospital through a wide variety of activities ranging from more intimate members-only gatherings to large events open to the public. If you like to organize, create, cook, network, write, edit, speak in public, or just contribute to your community, the Auxiliary welcomes your participation. Anyone interested in learning more about the Auxiliary should contact Karen McCarthy at 978-371-2133 for more information.

Tree Of Lights 2008

Once again the Auxiliary will be hosting the Tree of Lights ceremony on Monday, December 8, 2008 in the North Assembly room. This year’s event will begin at 4:30 PM. Emerson Hospital Chaplain, Ms. Georgia Leiner, will lead the ceremony. Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served. Parking validation is available.

The tradition of donating a light on the tree in memory of a loved one, to honor a special someone, or to celebrate the season began in 1989 and continues to be an event enjoyed by many. Tree of Lights was first coordinated by past Auxiliary President, Donna Grinnell. Since its inception, the Auxiliary has raised over $40,000 with this event.

Donations begin at $10.00 for a light and $25.00 for a star. An acknowledgement is sent to the donor or honoree. General donations are also welcome. As done in previous years, a list of donors and honorees will be displayed in the hospital lobby throughout the season.

Funds received from this event will continue to benefit the ongoing programs sponsored by the Auxiliary. This year, we are supporting the Pediatric Intervention Team, specialized transport equipment, cardiac rehabilitation, and care-giver scholarships.

For further information please email us at emersonauxiliaryblog@gmail.com

Emerson Hospital Auxiliary Hosts 84th Annual Meeting

On October 23, 2008, the Emerson Hospital Auxiliary hosted its 84th annual meeting and luncheon at the Nashawtuc Country Club. Denise Haartz, Auxiliary President, convened the business portion of the meeting, presenting the Auxiliary’s annual gift to Emerson Hospital. The Auxiliary’s fiscal year end gift, combined with the Community Services Gift Shop contribution was $200,000. The gift was presented to Hospital President and CEO Christine Schuster, Donna Grinnell, Gift Shop Manager, and Sharon Knox, Director of Community Services. The funds donated will contribute significantly to a variety of programs at Emerson including Bethke Cancer Center services, the Pediatric Intervention Team, Transport Wheelchairs, and Nursing Scholarships.

Denise pointed out that many Auxiliary members have given their time in 2008 to support patients at Emerson. “Anti-ouch pouch pillows” and quilts were lovingly sewn and donated for cancer patients. Also, a record breaking 712 teddy bears were donated to the Emerson Pediatric Intervention Team of the hospital. According to Christine Schuster: “Healthcare is really a team sport and the Auxiliary has made a significant contribution”. Starting on February 10th of next year, the hospital will host an annual Auxiliary Appreciation Luncheon at Nashawtuc as a way of saying thank you to Auxiliary members.

Nancy Kingman, past President of the Auxiliary, presented the new slate of Auxiliary officers for 2008-09. They are: Denise Haartz, President; Ann Lehmann, President Elect; Priscilla Gannon, Treasurer, and Sally Bradford, Secretary.

The meeting also included an exciting presentation made by Brooke Rutledge Seckel, MD. Dr. Seckel is a nationally and internationally recognized authority on plastic surgery and the treatment of facial aging. His presentation focused on the latest developments in plastic surgery and, in particular, on non-invasive techniques for facial and body rejuvenation. Everyone was given a complimentary copy of Dr. Seckel’s new book, “Save Your Face—the Revolutionary 6-Step Non-Surgical Facial Rejuvenation Program”. According to Dr. Seckel, “In the next 5 years, plastic surgery is likely to change dramatically and become much less invasive. This is due largely to the use of lasers that can not only dissolve fat, but also actually tighten the skin.”

The Auxiliary is always interested in welcoming new members. Anyone interested in joining the Auxiliary should contact Karen McCarthy at emersonauxiliaryblog@gmail.com