‘Super’ Magnet in Place, York Hospital Breast MRI Project on Schedule

YORK—
An 8,800 lb. superconducting magnet was hoisted into place in York Hospital’s new 2,800-square-foot Breast Care Center addition recently. Because of its size and weight, the magnet needed to be hoisted by crane through an opening in the wall and placed in its exact position before construction could continue. When complete in March, the center will provide the first Aurora® Dedicated Breast MRI System in the entire state of Maine. It will also open with newly designed reception and waiting areas for added privacy, and two additional consultation rooms for patients and their medical team.
“This breast MRI system is a critical tool in the fight against breast disease. It will be used to identify early stages of breast cancer not detected through other means and is especially critical for those women at high risk for the disease,” explained Dr. Kira Wendorf, one of York Hospital’s two dedicated, board certified Breast Radiology physicians who are on-site to provide same-day results. “It is the only FDA-approved MRI system that is exclusively dedicated to examine the breasts. Both breasts can be scanned at the same time, painlessly, without the need for compression and with amazing clarity.”
The Aurora® Dedicated Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) system uses a magnetic field and radio waves (instead of x-rays) to painlessly scan breast tissue, producing high-definition, 3-D crystal clear images. For women who are deemed ‘high risk’ for breast cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends a breast MRI exam in addition to mammograms, which has proven most effective in identifying certain cancers that are not always seen using mammography or ultrasound.”
“We are thrilled to soon be able to offer this advanced technology to patients right here at York Hospital,” she added. “Better methods of earlier detection—like breast MRI—will help improve breast cancer survival even further,” noted Wendorf.
Already designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology, the Breast Care Center at York Hospital, which opened in 2008, offers digital mammography, breast ultrasound and stereotactic breast biopsy in addition to the new MRI service. As part of the project, the hospital is also working to redesign current waiting areas for more privacy, and add consultation rooms for patients and their medical team. The project is slated to open in March. For more information please contact the Breast Care team at 207-351-2023 or breastcare@yorkhospital.com.
The expansion of Breast Care to include Breast MRI is a project of the Hospital’s For Every Patient campaign with a goal to raise $7 million to support several hospital endeavors. Other projects include the renovation and expansion of the hospital’s Surgery Center; the conversion of all semi-private in-patient rooms to private rooms; and the addition of a helipad for rapid medical transports. For more information or to make a donation to the campaign, contact Susan McDonough, Lead of Development, at 207-351-3522 or at smcdonough@yorkhospital.com.
Photo caption: York Hospital President Jud Knox peers through the center tube as members of the Aurora engineering team position the 8,800 lb magnet into place in its new home at York Hospital’s Breast Care Center. The technology will be available for patients in March. (Courtesy photo)

Pretty in Pink, Again: Five-O to Host Second Annual Benefit Brunch

By Molly McCoy
Staff Columnist
OGUNQUIT—
For the second time, Five-O Shore Road in Ogunquit is partnering with the Donato J. Trumato Foundation and opening its door for a cure. On Sunday, January 23, the downtown Ogunquit restaurant is hosting its second annual benefit brunch to support breast cancer research.
“We’re excited to host it again,” says Jeffrey Porter, Vice President and General Manager at Five-O. “We already know that some people who came last year are returning again, and we’re hoping to bring more people in as the word gets out.”
For each person who orders a brunch entrée, the Donato J. Tramuto Foundation will donate $10 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the global leader of the breast cancer movement. According to its website, the Komen Foundation has invested nearly $1.5 billion since its inception in 1982, and is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists. Through generous contributions from sponsors, supporters, and events like Five-O’s brunch, the Komen Foundation has become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
“It’s really a great organization,” says Porter about Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “They continue to support breast cancer research, and we’re happy to continue our support of them.”
Brunch will be served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and guests may select any entrée from the Five-O Brunch menu, including standards like Eggs Benedict and house specialties such as Maine Blueberry Belgian Waffles or Seafood Crepes.
But Five-O’s outreach does not stop there. On Sunday, February 13, the restaurant partners with the Trumato Foundation once again to host a similar benefit brunch for the Frannie Peabody Center, the largest community-based HIV/AIDS services organization in Maine. As with the January brunch, the Donato J. Tramuto Foundation will donate $10 to the Frannie Peabody Center for every guest who orders a brunch entrée, available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information about both brunches, visit www.five-oshoreroad.com, Five-O Ogunquit on Facebook, or call the restaurant at (207) 646-5001. For information about the Komen Foundation and Frannie Peabody Center, visit www.komen.org and www.peabodycenter.org, respectively.
Photo caption: Five-O Shore Road will partner with the Donato J. Trumato Foundation to host two benefit brunches, the first of which is on Jan. 23 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. (Courtesy logo of Susan G. Komen for the Cure)

College Goal Maine Returns to York County

WELLS/SACO—
Senators Jon Courtney and Ronald Collins announced recently that the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) will offer the 8th annual College Goal Maine around the state on various dates and locations during January and early February of 2011.
College Goal Maine, formerly known as College Goal Sunday, brings together financial aid professionals from Maine colleges and universities, along with other volunteers, to help college-bound students and their families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. This form is required for any student seeking federal and state financial aid, including grants and loans at all colleges in the country.
Deadlines for filing the FAFSA form vary from school to school, and students should carefully consult the deadlines of every school to which they are applying. FAME encourages all students to complete the FAFSA form as soon as possible; ideally, all students should complete the FAFSA sometime during the month of January. Free online forms and more information are available at www.fafsa.gov.
The two meeting locations in York County are on Sunday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m. The meetings will be held in Wells at the York County Community College cafeteria and in Saco at the Thornton Academy Dining Commons.
You can find more information as well as various other dates and locations throughout the State on the FAME website at www.collegegoalsundaymaine.com.
“Preparing for a higher education is often an overwhelming and stressful experience for both students and parents,” said Senator Courtney. “College Goal Maine is a wonderful opportunity to get help with preparing for college and navigating the FAFSA form.”
“I encourage all college-bound students and their families to attend a College Goal Maine workshop,” said Senator Collins. “These Workshops can be incredibly helpful in the college process.”