Cancer Patients

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Area cancer patients can blame a combination of wet weather, a small sinkhole and a supply shortage for having to wait until next year to receive radiation therapy in Martinsburg, a City Hospital official said Wednesday. The new Gateway Regional Cancer Treatment and Rehabilitation Center was slated to start treating cancer patients this fall, said Sandra M. Cleaver, assistant administrator at City Hospital. But construction delays have pushed the expected opening to February, Cleaver said.

By MARLO BARNHART Staff Writer In a room dedicated to her late husband, Brenda Kidwell said she feels joy rather than loss as she introduces cancer patients and their families to the Kidwell Patient Education Room. "When I'm in here with patients, I feel as though Gary's journey had a purpose," she said. The well-stocked library is in the John Marsh Cancer Center, just inside the green entrance of the Robinwood Medical Campus. There are free pamphlets, National Cancer Institute readings, books on coping with cancer treatment and even Internet access with a world of information on cancer.

For the third straight year, high school senior soccer players around Washington County faced off one last time for charity at the annual “Kick'n It For A Cause” event held at Clear Spring High School. The event raises money for the Shirley B. Robison Memorial Fund, a local charity that awards grants to cancer patients or families of cancer patients. “Our proceeds go to the fund, which tries to give money to families with a child with cancer,” said Marsha Long, the event's coordinator.

Franklin Co. Democrats to meet for breakfast CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Franklin County Democratic Party will hold its monthly Democratic Breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 9:30 a.m. at Main Street Deli, 177 S. Main St. All interested supporters of the Democratic Party are invited to attend. There will be no formal program or speeches; rather, it is an opportunity to meet other area Democrats, discuss issues and candidates, and learn more about the party and its activities, in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The "hot spot" for cancer patients in City Hospital's recently expanded oncology unit is an air conditioned sunroom, according to nurse manager Tammy Ware. Comfortable sofas provide an alternative to treatment chairs and a dining table seats four. A plentiful selection of paperback novels by best-selling author Danielle Steele practically fill one shelf of a bookcase. "They like that room. It's homey - that's what we want," Ware said after showing off enhancements to the second floor inpatient/outpatient unit celebrated Wednesday as part of an open house for West Virginia University Hospitals-East Regional Cancer Program.

By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer Some days of working with dying cancer patients can be heart-breaking for oncology nurse Gail Stoner. Others can be joyous as she watches some recover. "They go through so much and it makes you realize what is important. When you come home and see some silly thing, you don't worry about it when you think about what is important," Stoner said. Stoner was named Maryland Worker of the Year in the American Worker of the Year Awards presented by Dickies Workwear.

HAGERSTOWN - Thirty of Washington County's future leaders were honored Friday night during a ceremony in an airplane hangar at Hagerstown Regional Airport. The honorees were the most recent graduates of Leadership Washington County, a program in which senior-level executives learn how to become better leaders by undergoing nine months of intensive community involvement. Cindy Kalkbrenner, executive director of Leadership Washington County, said the airport was chosen as the spot to host this year's event to promote the theme "Leadership is Taking Flight.

HAGERSTOWN -- Thirty of Washington County's future leaders were honored Friday night during a ceremony in an airplane hangar at Hagerstown Regional Airport. The honorees were the most recent graduates of Leadership Washington County, a program in which senior-level executives learn how to become better leaders by undergoing nine months of intensive community involvement. Cindy Kalkbrenner, executive director of Leadership Washington County, said the airport was chosen as the spot to host this year's event to promote the theme "Leadership is Taking Flight.

At an upcoming Hospice of Washington County Inc. fundraiser and public awareness program, organizers promise that tables will be outfitted with the traditional appointments, plus one item that isn't all that common at such affairs - a box of tissues. That shouldn't scare anyone off. In fact, it is Hospice that often brings us some of the most poignant and heartwarming moments of our lives, in our loved ones' final hours. "We will make people cry, but we will leave them joyful," promises spokeswoman Cheryl Brown.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - There's a lot of sewing going on at the Homan household. And cancer patients, families of premature babies and wounded U.S. soldiers in Iraq are benefiting. Loretta Homan retired from South Hagerstown High School as a consumer and family science teacher, and taught sewing for many years. About a year ago, Homan discovered a project she believed her granddaughters would enjoy. It's called the Benjamin Smiles project, named for 6-year-old Benjamin Mollett, who died of cancer in 1999.