The American Red Cross in Nassau County is participating in a $100- million gift program established by the national organization to help families of those killed in or missing since the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon meet their immediate financial obligations. The program will place funds in the hands of the families quickly and efficiently to help pay for:
[BULLET]Monthly living expenses such as food, clothing, utilities and transportation;
[BULLET]Mortgage and rent payments;
[BULLET]Funeral and related expenses, and
[BULLET]Other time-sensitive and uncovered expenses.
Anyone who had a family member who was in or at the World Trade Center or Pentagon and who is missing or deceased is urged to take advantage of the new ARC gift program. Families of firefighters, police officers and other emergency workers who were lost or are missing in the rescue are also eligible for ARC assistance. Families will meet with an ARC caseworker to determine short-term financial needs. Checks will be sent to the family the next business day. Those interested in the assistance should contact ARC/Nassau at (516) 747-3500 or visit ARC/Nassau's Family Service Center at the American Red Cross, 195 Willis Ave., Mineola.
subhed: Family health fair
Franklin Hospital Medical Center will conduct numerous medical tests and health screenings during the hospital's annual "Family Health Fair" 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, in the Orzac Geriatric Division. Some of the complimentary tests available will be screenings for glaucoma, skin cancer, lung capacity, blood glucose and cholesterol, blood pressure and podiatric evaluations.
Registration for all screenings and tests closes at 1:30 p.m.
Information displays include "Healthy Mind-Healthy Body," stress reduction, "Choosing Elder Care," "Ask Your Pharmacist," "Breast Care," dental health diabetes, "What Is An Emergency" and health maintenance for children.
Coping with breast cancer
A diagnosis of breast cancer brings great stress to the patient and her family. To help, the Adelphi statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program tells how families might help.
"There are many reactions that might occur," says Sandra Kafenbaum, group coordinator of the breast cancer program, which has been assisting New Yorkers for 20 years. Kafenbaum lists the following reactions: shock of diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, confusion with choices of surgery and treatment, concerns about self-image due to surgery and treatment, worry about reactions of friends and family members and fear and uncertainty about the future.
Kafenbaum says there are specific things people can do to be helpful and offers some tips on how to behave:
Do listen.
Do offer specific help with household chores, meals, transportation, child care, etc.
Do take your cues from the person.
Do let feelings be expressed.
Do expect mood changes.
Be there.
Don't tell the person what to do.
Don't avoid the person.
Don't share horror stories.
Don't be afraid of the person's sadness...it's normal.
Don't treat the person like an invalid.
The hotline toll free number is 1-800-877-8077.
hed: Other events and activities Franklin Hospital Medical Center's new community education program "Healthy Mind-Healthy Body" will have its next presentation at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at 900 Franklin Ave., Valley Stream. Also being offered by the medical center is Facing the Future Together, a free, oncology-related symposium Saturday, Oct. 27. Featuring an expert panel speaking about "When Terminal Care is the Option," "Nutrition and Cancer Survival" and "Palliative Care-Hope At the End of Life," the program will begin at 9 a.m. in the auditorium at the Orzac Geriatric Division. ... Confidential depression screenings will be done 2-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11 at Hillside Hospital. Call (718) 470-8240 for additional information. At Hillside Eastern Queens, the screenings are 2-6p.m. Call (718) 740-3310 for additional information.
