People Inc. Marigold Senior Living in Grand Island to Host Holiday Craft Sale, Open House

Prospective Applicants and Family Members Encouraged to Attend

People Inc. Marigold Senior Living will host a Holiday Craft Sale and Open House on Friday, December 12, 2014, from noon to 5 p.m. at 3026 Grand Island Boulevard, Grand Island. Seniors in need of affordable housing and family members assisting their loved ones are encouraged to attend to receive a tour and learn about income eligibility.

Numerous holiday crafts will be featured, including crocheted items, unique decorations and ornaments. Those interested can meet with tenants, tour the building and learn about People Inc. Senior Living from expert staff. Refreshments and crafts for kids will also be available for attendees’ enjoyment.

For independent seniors age 62 or older, People Inc. Marigold Senior Living apartments include a living room, one bedroom, kitchen with appliances and accessible bathroom. Monthly rent is based on income and some utilities are included. Potential tenants need to meet both the federally mandated income and age requirements at the time of application. The exceptionally-maintained apartment building includes a furnished community room, laundry facilities, 24-hour on-call building services and group transportation to grocery stores. Tenants are welcome to have a small pet. Service coordinators are available to provide connections to services as needed by tenants at no extra charge. For those who like to remain active, there are a variety of activities held throughout the year.

For more information about People Inc. Marigold Senior Living and its event, call 716-773-0907.

People Inc. manages 19 senior apartment locations throughout Western New York providing affordable and safe housing for independent seniors age 62 and older who meet income requirements. For information about other locations, call 716-817-9090.

People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 10,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

Roswell Park Community to Gather Around Tree of Hope Friday, Dec. 12

Lighting of Tree of Hope by pediatric cancer survivor to cap family-friendly holiday event

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s (RPCI’s) annual Tree of Hope lighting ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 12 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Kaminski Park and Gardens on the RPCI campus. This free, family-friendly event, to be held in honor of all who are touched by cancer, will feature holiday activities such as live music, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting and a gingerbread house raffle.

Guests can expect all the joys of the holiday season at this outdoor event, which is co-sponsored by WGRZ 2 On Your Side and West Herr Automotive. The festivities will culminate with the lighting of the Tree of Hope by a cancer survivor from Carly’s Club for Kids & Cancer Research in WNY.

Activities and attractions to be featured at this year’s Tree of Hope:
Performances by Buffalo-born recording artists The Doyle Brothers, The Caroling Counselors and The Friends of Harmony’s HyNotes
Visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus
Horse-drawn-carriage rides donated by the Collins Draft Horse, Ox and Pony Club
Live ice sculpting by Paul Strada
Gingerbread house raffle
Face painting
Make-your-own-ornament kids’ craft station
Actors from the Alleyway Theatre production of “A Christmas Carol,” running December 11-21 (information and tickets at alleyway.com)
Dunkin’ Donuts, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Buffalo and BJ’s Wholesale Club to provide refreshments
Animated light show: a display of 75,000 energy-efficient LED lights, orchestrated to holiday music
Free Yroswell Blinkin’ Sunglasses, while supplies last

The event will also feature a candle ceremony paying tribute to those we’ve lost to cancer and survivors still fighting the disease, and attendees will have the opportunity to write personal and inspirational messages on snowflake ornaments to be placed on a holiday tree in the Roswell Park main lobby.

Guests may register to attend Tree of Hope by contacting 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or online at www.roswellpark.org/treeofhope.

Free parking will be available in Roswell Park’s on-campus parking ramp, located at Carlton and Elm Streets in Buffalo.

Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario television viewers can watch live coverage of the event on WGRZ-TV Channel 2 that evening beginning at 5 p.m.

Buffalo General Medical Center’s Bariatric Program Nationally Recognized for High-Quality Care in Bariatric Surgery

Center for Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery Designated ASMBS BSOE Center of Excellence

Buffalo, NY – (December 3, 2014) The Center for Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery at Buffalo General Medical Center has again been named an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence (ASMBS BSOE). The Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery. In addition to this year, the program received this designation in 2007 and 2011.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that nearly 35 percent of all U.S. adults are obese. Morbid obesity typically defined as being 100 lbs. or more over ideal body weight or having a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher, has become a significant national health issue.

“Kaleida Health recognizes the importance of Bariatric Surgery to the region, and has made unprecedented investments in support of our program,” said Aaron Hoffman, MD, chief of surgery, Kaleida Health and medical director, Center for Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery. “Given the high rates of obesity and diabetes in Western New York, our Center is committed to providing world-class bariatric care right here in Western New York at the epicenter of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus."

According to the National Institute of Health, Bariatric surgery is the only effective therapy for morbid obesity and its complications, including heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Bariatric surgery, when performed correctly, can help morbidly obese patients manage these conditions with the additional commitment from patients to practice a healthy lifestyle of diet and exercise. By definition, surgeons with ASMBS Center of Excellence designations practice only top-quality care, ensuring efficacy of the procedure with each patient to the best of their abilities.

Faced with clinical evidence that the most experienced and best-run bariatric surgery programs have by far the lowest rates of complications, the Centers of Excellence program was created to recognize bariatric surgery centers that perform well and to help surgeons and hospitals continue to improve the quality and safety of care provided.

Memorial’s chief of robotic surgery performs area’s first single site robotic hysterectomy

Dr. Donna Feldman has pioneered a new surgical procedure at Niagara Falls Memorial, performing the first single site robotic hysterectomy in Niagara County.

The procedure, which was performed earlier this month using the DaVinci robotic surgical system, is virtually scarless and can benefit women in several ways.

“Single-site robotic surgery, also known as single incision surgery, is a significant advance over minimally invasive hysterectomies requiring multiple incisions,” said Dr. Feldman, Memorial’s chief of robotic surgery. “The surgery is performed with one incision through the patient’s belly button, which leaves an almost invisible scar.”

Benefits for the patient can include less blood loss, fewer complications and shorter hospital stays than are experienced following vaginal or abdominal hysterectomies. Women who undergo a single-site hysterectomy often go home within a day of their surgery and are able to resume their normal activities in two weeks. 

“The typical recovery time is significantly quicker than that from a traditional hysterectomy,” Dr. Feldman said. “Robotic surgeries are more and more becoming the standard of care.”

Memorial introduced robotic surgery to the Greater Niagara Region in 2012. Its expert surgical team offers robotic procedures for hernia repair, abdominal reconstruction and other general surgeries including single incision gallbladder removal, as well as for benign and cancerous conditions in gynecology, urology, nephrology, colorectal and bariatrics.

GreenField Court Resident, Jodi King, Turns 103

Josephine King, a current resident at GreenField Court in Lancaster, NY, will be celebrating her 103^rd birthday on November 29^th. She will be celebrating with nieces, nephews and staff at GreenField Court dining room Saturday afternoon with an orange crème cake because “most people will like that.”

Born in Utica, NY on November 29^th, 1911, Jodi grew up with three sisters and two brothers. Her mother passed away when she was 11 and her father struggled as a shoemaker, so she took over the care of her sisters.

She went from being called “Jo” to “Jodi” after she met the man who became her husband, Lawrence. Lawrence, who passed in 2004, was an Army Colonel for 30 years and thought of  G.I. Jo with her first nickname, so he started calling her “Jodi,” which she still goes by today. She met Lawrence at a Fireman’s Ball in Utica, where Jodi’s heel broke and Lawrence then escorted her home. He was her only boyfriend. They were happily married for 67 years.

The best advice Jodi has received is, “do your best and keep smiling.” To the younger generations, her advice is, “have courage, all is well, keep moving ahead” and “always think positive thoughts” for a happy life. As for her secret to a long, healthy life? “Love of God, staying active, and a nap every day in my apartment at GreenField Court.”

Jodi moved to The GreenFields after her husband’s passing in 2004, so she could be near family.   

Small Business Saturday November 29

Keep the momentum going in North Buffalo
Create a tradition of shopping locally

Enjoy your holiday shopping and celebrating even more this year by supporting small businesses in North Buffalo that help ourneighborhood thrive!

Kick-off the season on November 29th with Small Business Saturday, an event founded by American Express in 2010 to help businesses get more customers. According to the company, interest has grown into a powerful nationwide movement with an estimated $5.5 billion being spent at small independent businesses on that day alone.

Along Hertel Avenue, several businesses are participating by offering discounts when customers use their American Express cards for purchases. These include: The Antique Lamp Co. and Gift Emporium, North Park Theatre, P.S. Accessories, Cone 5 Pottery, andSilent Voices.

The following weekend, the Hertel-North Buffalo Business Association presents the 19th Annual Hertel Holidays on Friday, December 5th from 5-9 PM and Saturday, December 6th from 11 AM-4 PM.

It's the perfect time to meet up with friends and celebrate with great shopping and dining all along the Avenue. Santa Claus will be making an appearance once again and carolers will be singing your holiday favorites. Many stores will be offering refreshments just for stopping by.

Premium hearing aids giveaway

Non-profit audiology practice will award set of premium hearings aids to a deserving Western New Yorker

AMHERST, N.Y. – A fortunate Western New Yorker will be given the gift of better hearing. It’s called the “Good to Hear Giveaway”, and it is being presented by Hearing Evaluation Services of Buffalo via their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HearingEvaluationServices.

“We’re asking the people of WNY to nominate a friend or loved one who would be deserving of a set of hearing aids at no cost to them. It won’t be us deciding the winner; it will be other Facebook users determining the winner by ‘liking’ who they feel should win,” says Dr. Rebecca Wantuck, Doctor of Audiology at Hearing Evaluation Services.

This is a first for Hearing Evaluation Services. When asked why the small non-profit would pick up the bill on premium hearing aid technology for a deserving western New Yorker, Wantuck said: “We have a very rich culture here of doing the right thing and treating our patients like family. With the holidays upon us, we wanted to spread some good cheer among the WNY community and give someone the gift of better hearing.”

The contest ends on November 30, 2014. The Hearing Evaluation Services of Buffalo Facebook page is www.facebook.com/hearingevaluationservices.

Hearing Evaluation Services is the largest freestanding non-profit audiology practice in the country. They are located in Amherst, Williamsville, and Orchard Park.

For more information on Hearing Evaluation Services of Buffalo, log ontowww.HearingEvaluationServices.com or call (716) 833-4488.

Memorial sets schedule for health insurance navigators

The New York State Department of Health’s NY State of Health insurance marketplace begins its second open enrollment period Saturday (11/15).

Thousands of certified assistors, navigators and brokers statewide will be available during the enrollment period to assist consumers with the entire process.  Specially trained navigators from Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will provide assistance at locations across Niagara County.

“All existing marketplace qualified health plans will expire Dec. 31,” said Christin Culligan, Memorial’s director of health insurance In Person Assistance/Navigation. “This year, individuals will need to determine if they want to stay in their current plan or change plans. Open enrollment will continue until Feb. 15, 2015 but to have a plan in place by Jan. 1, you must enroll by Dec. 15.”

Consumers must make an appointment in order to be seen. To request an appointment call 278-4264 or emailnavigator@nfmmc.org.  The navigator’s weekly schedule, effective Monday (11/17):

Mondays

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Lewiston Village Hall

Tuesdays

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Dale Association, Lockport

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. YWCA of the Tonawandas, North Tonawanda

4 p.m. – 9 p.m. North Tonawanda Library

Wednesdays

8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Dale Association, Lockport

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Lewiston Village Hall

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

Thursdays

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Dale Association, Lockport

Fridays

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Dale Association, North Tonawanda

Saturdays

8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dale Association, Lockport

9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lockport Library

Critical Need for Blood Following Storm

Unyts urges WNY to donate blood for local patients in local hospitals

After being forced to cancel blood drives this week due to the storm, Unyts is urging the community to donate bloodTODAY. Demand at our local hospitals has increased and a strong turnout by donors is critical to ensure we have blood available for patients in the WNY community. 

Unyts is the primary supplier of blood products to Kaleida Health, ECMC and all hospitals in Niagara and Wyoming Counties. The real need for blood came into play last night when 3 year old Leukemia patient Kallie Swan had to be transported by Wings Flights of Hope to Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo for a platelet transfusion (seehttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Kallies-Krusade/267365016721998 & attached). Kallie and her family live in Jamestown and were unable to make it to the hospital alone due to the storm.  While Unyts is thrilled that we were able to provide the blood needed to help Kallie and other patients, the supply has to be continually replenished. As WNY’s only community blood bank it is our responsibility to answer the call for blood products to ANY hospital in need, but we will need help from blood donors to do that. As local residents are able to return to their normal activities following the storm, Unyts encourages eligible donors to give blood. “O negative” donors and platelet donors are especially encouraged to give.

To make an appointment, call 512-7940 or visit www.unyts.org and click on Give Blood.

Blood Drives TODAY, November 21^st

Eastern Hills Mall Donation Center

4545 Transit Road

Williamsville, NY 

7am-2pm

Medlab, Inc.

600 Cayuga Rd

Cheektowaga, NY

2-6pm

Blood Drives TOMORROW, November 22^nd

Eastern Hills Mall Donation Center

4545 Transit Road

Williamsville, NY 

7am-3pm

Erie County Auto Bureau

2122 George Urban Blvd.

Depew, NY

8:30am-12:30pm

Tonawanda Donation Center

96 Niagara Street

Tonawanda, NY 

7am-3pm

Blood Drives Monday, November 24^th

Eastern Hills Mall Donation Center

4545 Transit Road

Williamsville, NY  14221

10am-8pm

Southgate Plaza Donation Center

1000 Union Road

West Seneca, NY  14224

10am-8pm

Tonawanda Donation Center

96 Niagara Street

Tonawanda, NY  14150

10am-8pm

Blood Drives Tuesday, November 25^th

Tonawanda Donation Center         

96 Niagara Street                             

Tonawanda, NY 

10am-8pm

Unyts Donation Center

110 Broadway

Buffalo, NY

10am-4pm                                       

Maintaining Vascular Health is Critical For Persons with Diabetes

Vascular and Endovascular Center of WNY Encourages Screening During American Diabetes Month

During American Diabetes Month (November) and throughout the year, members of the Society of Vascular Surgery encourage people with diabetes or pre-diabetes symptoms to schedule a vascular screening. Diabetes, if not managed, can cause a number of complications and one of the most serious is the development of vascular disease. It is estimated that there are nearly 9 million people in the US who are not aware that they have diabetes and another 86 million who are pre-diabetic.

Vascular disease, among other complications, can impair circulation to the legs, leading to a reduced ability to walk and in some cases, leg amputation. Vascular disease in the legs is also a major marker for heart disease.

“The most devastating consequences of unchecked diabetes include amputation as well as blindness and kidney failure,” said Paul M. Anain, MD, FACS, of the Vascular & Endovascular Center of WNY, Society of Vascular Surgery members and pioneers in the field. “Our practice is committed to improving awareness in order to prevent and treat the serious consequences of diabetes and undiagnosed vascular disease.”

Because vascular disease is generally asymptomatic until a catastrophic event occurs, such as a stroke or aneurysm rupture, millions of Americans who are at risk remain unaware. Persons with diagnosed diabetes, which the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates at more than 29 million, are at an even greater risk of vascular disease. The symptoms include:

· Blurry vision

· Floating spots in vision (called floaters)

· Swelling of the face or limbs or unexpected weight gain

· Foamy looking urine

· Foot sores

· Loss of feeling or burning sensation in hands or feet

· Leg pain while walking

· High blood pressure

· Chest pain

Vascular Screenings are used to detect the presence of serious disease and employ painless, noninvasive tests (or a combination of tests) to find potentially dangerous conditions. These screening examinations include:

· Ultrasound scan of the aorta to identify aortic aneurysms

· Ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries to assess stroke risk

· Blood pressure measurements in the legs to identify peripheral arterial disease and risk of heart disease.

Vascular and endovascular surgeons are partners with primary care physicians in providing comprehensive care for people with diabetes. For further information, visit www.vecwny.com or call 716-837-2400. 

The Vascular & Endovascular Center of WNY provides services to patients throughout the region at facilities in Erie, Genesee and Niagara counties. The information included in this release is for educational purposes only. It is neither professional medical advice nor is it intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading the information in this article does not create a physician-patient relationship.