Archive for the “Family, Friends and Social Support” Category

A celebrating and sharing event featuring Patricia Wellingham-Jones, RN, PhD, Wednesday, August 19th, 7-8:30 p.m. at Grilla Bites Restaurant, 196 Cohasset Rd., Garden Villa, Chico, CA.  Come hear participants of the “Telling our Stories” writing group share gems from the quick writes done in the group. Some stories are about cancer, many are not-all are rich with the experience of living.  Patients and their families, staff and volunteers, and anyone interested in using writing and art to heal, are invited to join the evening of celebrating and sharing our stories.

In the Tibetan tradition, prayer flags fly from the housetops, trees and in mountain passes — wherever the wind can catch and carry their messages of hope, peace, strength and wisdom throughout the world. For our project, more than 600 flags were created by community members and students as symbols of hope for cancer patients and their families. Many of the flags were made at Outlaw games, the Artoberfest booths, Relay for life or the Bull-riding competition. 300 of the flags were created by students at Rosedale elementary school. Each flag offers a unique expression of caring.

The Enloe Health Learning Center, which opened in May 2009, provides patients, family members and community members access to a broad array of health, wellness and medical information.  A team of dedicated caregivers and community members from Enloe, the Butte County Library and Chico State Library worked to develop a mission and core selection of resource for the learning center.   The Enloe Health Learning Center is located at 1465 Esplanade in Chico.  Learn more about this community resource or access our online catalog.

Congratulations to this year’s recipient of Enloe’s Spirit of Planetree Physician Champion Award, which recognizes extraordinary achievement in patient-centered care. Dr. Howard, a local hematologist and oncologist, was nominated by many Enloe caregivers for his nurturing qualities and kindness, expertise and approachable, friendly manner.  A Chico physician since 1983, Dr. Howard has a private practice in the Enloe Regional Cancer Center, and sees patients in the hospital. He served as Chief of Staff at Enloe from 2007 through 2008. The Fourth Floor Oncology team appreciates Dr. Howard’s compassion, dedication and expertise, which he generously shares with patients and staff alike. Along with another physician, Dr. Howard provides regular medical updates and education to the certified chemotherapy nurses on the unit. And he takes time to listen to his patients, their families and the nurses. One nomination touted: “He is a role model for us all: professional, compassionate, calm in a crisis, humorous when necessary and always willing to help out.” Dr. Howard will have the opportunity to attend the national Planetree conference in Baltimore and is eligible to receive the National Spirit of Planetree Physician Caregiver Award.

This elegant fundraising dinner will take place at 6 p.m. at The Palms in Chico. The evening will include a delicious sit-down dinner by Bacio Catering, the lively and entertaining John Skinner Band, and dancing. It event will also feature the presentation of the Spirit of Planetree Awards and a silent auction with creative interpretive pieces designed by local artists. The proceeds will go toward the remodeling of three family lounges within the existing hospital. Tickets to attend are $125 each. Several sponsorship opportunities are also available. Contact Enloe Foundation at 332-4550 for more information.