Unlikely Heros

I would like to share an amazing story with you today – the story of hope, redemption, and a future given back. Three years ago we rescued Jenny, a young 15 year old, from a brothel in the Philippines.
Sold into slavery by family members, this precious girl began working in the brothel at age 12 in order to survive. She felt as though she was living like a stray animal; only owning one set of clothes and being prostituted for each meal.

This last spring, Jenny graduated from high school and gave the opening address at her graduation ceremony. (Picture above) When I asked her if she felt nervous before giving her speech, she replied: “No! I am confident!” If only you could have seen the joy on her face! You make turnarounds like this possible.

Over the past year, we have been working tirelessly to rescue and care for children all over the world. In April, because of our focus on holistic rehabilitation we were called into action to provide on the ground support in Nigeria. Our work included: trauma counseling, safety, and medical services to the Chibok schoolgirls who escaped from the mass kidnapping and to the traumatized parents, who are still waiting to see the return of their daughters. December 18 marks the 292th day of captivity for these precious young girls.

Together, our efforts are making a tremendous difference in the lives of the children we've rescued. We now have 4 homes located in 3 nations – the Philippines, Thailand and Mexico. In March, we opened a brand new home built from the ground up in the Philippines. This is a direct result of your generosity!

We have so much to celebrate, but we know that the road to freedom for so many has yet to be paved. All of our restoration homes are ready to grow and expand – and we urgently need your help to rescue more children from a life filled with suffering. Please consider making a year-end donation today or increasing your monthly support to help us continue our work.

We have a pressing need for $50,000 to fund 10 new beds, which will allow us to immediately rescue 10 more children from sex slavery for one year. $5,000 sponsors one child for a year. 
$416 rescues one child from sex slavery for one month and provides safe housing, food, education, medical care, trauma therapy & LOVE!

Can you imagine 10 more children rescued out of a life of terror? I am asking you now to look deep inside your heart and to give the gift of life to a child who is in desperate need of freedom. Please give today and together we will bring a child home so they never have to experience the pain of a holiday alone again.

Thank you for believing in us; your support will help make every rescue possible. You really have become a part of our history and we are so grateful for you!

CMHVI earns top quality recognition for heart surgery

Lewiston, Maine - A national professional organization has awarded its highest rating to the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute’s cardiac surgery program.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has awarded a three-star rating to CMHVI for the quality of its heart surgery program for 2013. The STS comprehensive rating system compares the quality of cardiac surgery among hospitals nationwide. “Only 10 to 15 percent of all hospitals that perform open heart surgery receive the three star rating, which denotes the highest category of quality” said Carmine Frumiento, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon at CMHVI.

In a recent analysis of national data

Radiation oncologist to speak on prostate cancer at April 30 event‏

Lewiston, Maine - The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing will sponsor “An Update on Prostate Cancer” on April 30.

Michael w. (sic) Brown, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Central Maine Medical Center’s Cynthia A. Rydholm Cancer Treatment Center, will discuss prostate cancer and treatment options.

Prostate cancer is second only to skin cancer in prevalence among American men. But if detected early and properly treated, the disease can be successfully managed.

Before joining the greater Lewiston-Auburn medical community last year, Brown practiced for almost three years with the University of Washington at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, where he served as a clinical assistant professor.

In addition to his years at the University of Washington, his professional experience includes four years at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash., where he also served as department chief.

He completed residency training at the National Capital Consortium Department of Radiation Oncology, a joint program of the National Cancer Institute, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and National Naval Medical Center.

He is certified in radiation oncology by the American Board of Radiology.

The presentation is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the

Dempsey Center, 29 Lowell Street, fifth floor, Lewiston

Pre-registration is required by calling 795-8250 or 1-877-336-7287.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and Portland Public Health Encourage Young People to “Get Yourself Tested” in April

National “GYT: Get Yourself Tested” Campaign Reaching Youth to Increase STD Awareness and Testing
Portland, Maine - This month marks the sixth annual GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign -- a national campaign designed to promote sexual health and address the disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — including HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea — among young people under 25. The campaign is a collaborative effort of the American College Health Association (ACHA), the Kaiser Family Foundation, MTV, National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD), and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, with technical consultation provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here in Portland, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) and the City of Portland’s Public Health Division including the India Street Health Center are working together to raise awareness by making it easy for Portland adults in their twenties to get tested.

Half of the estimated 20 million sexually transmitted diseases contracted each year occur among the under-25 age group, although they only represent one quarter of the sexually active population. In fact, one in two sexually active young people in the U.S. will contract an STD by the time they’re 25 — and most won’t know it. These trends bear out in Maine with adults in their twenties comprising more than sixty percent of the diagnosed cases of chlamydia and more than half of the cases of gonorrhea last year.

“Getting tested is simply a basic part of staying healthy and taking control of your sex life — and it’s easier than ever before,” said Donna Burkett, Medical Director at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.