MRH Oncology fundraiser a success
By Benjamin Barr, Jr. Lincoln News • April 12, 2018
MILLINOCKET—The word oncology may or may not be known to the general public; certainly to those who have had tumors or cancers or know someone who does knows what it is about and why it is important. Dictionary.com come defines it as “the branch of medical science dealing with tumors, including the origin, development, diagnosis, and treatment of malignant neoplasms […] and the study of cancer.”
In the Katahdin region, the area has been fortunate that Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) has had the foresight and the ability to develop an Oncology Department that is run by capable and qualified caregivers. It gives patients in the Katahdin region a place to go for cancer treatments without having to make the hour-plus journey to Bangor.
The Oncology Department has the foresight to see that there is a need to update their facilities in order to better serve their patients. They have enacted a fundraising campaign in order to bring the necessary construction for the facilities. One of the latest fundraising efforts was held at the Millinocket Benevolent and Protective Order (BPOE) Elks Lodge 1521 on Friday, April 6.
The fundraising dinner featured chicken broccoli Alfredo served over fettuccini and served with a Caesar salad and homemade dinner roll. Strawberry shortcake topped off the delicious meal. The entire dinner was cooked and prepared by MRH’s capable chefs Mike Scrooc and Carol Boucher and volunteer staff.
Reaction from diners was that the meal that it was a delightful departure from the usual fare. I would concur. Entertainment for the evening was provided by the smooth vocals and guitar playing of local musician Wally Paul who has a wide repertoire of country songs mixed in with pop-rock classics and easy listening.
“All the money raised this evening through donations, raffle tickets and sales will go directly toward the renovation of our Oncology Clinic Center to create a comfortable and spacious environment for our patients to received their treatments close to home,” stated Kim Faloon, RN, OCN at MRH. “Our many thanks for your support of MRH and this very important project.”
At the fundraising event, there was the chance for tickets to the Jason Aldean concert on Sunday, May 27 at the Darlings Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor. Also, there was a 50/50 raffle and an auction to own a Katahdin scenic photograph taken by Mark Picard and donated by Moose Prints Gallery. Dr. Jil Beaupain won the Jason Aldean tickets; Cathy Lemay was the high bidder on the Picard photograph and Lynn Mackin won the 50/50 raffle. In all, over $5,700 was raised in this effort.
“The outpouring of support we have received– as demonstrated here at tonight’s dinner –has been incredible,” declared Katie Mackin, Marketing Coordinator at MRH. “Our community has rallied around MRH and this project in a way that we couldn’t have imagined. I think it just goes to show that so many people in our community have been touched by cancer in some way and have seen firsthand what an asset the clinic is to our area.”
Earlier in April, the Elks had donated $20,000 towards the purchase of five oncology chairs in addition to hosting the fundraising dinner.
MRH earlier was the recipient of $300,000 from the Next Generation Foundation and MRH is raising an additional $35,000 through various fundraisers. The next major fundraiser is the golf tournament at Hillcrest Golf Club on Friday, June 29.
For more information contact Mackin at kmackin@mrhme.org or Faloon at kfaloon@mrhme.org.
###
About Millinocket Regional Hospital
Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital nestled at the base of Baxter State Park that provides vital healthcare services to those who live, work and play in the Katahdin Region. Beyond the friendly staff and award-winning patient care, MRH provides an impressive range of specialty and general services; with a recent expansion resulting in the addition of eight new specialties and a Walk-In Care facility. In 2016, MRH was recognized as the Cleanest Hospital in New England by Becker’s Hospital Review and received a five star rating on the Medicare Quality Scale. Providing jobs to approximately 250 people, MRH is the largest employer in the Katahdin Region and a crucial economic force within its community. For more information, please visit www.mrhme.org or www.facebook.com/MillinocketRegionalHospital