Author: BJ Kirkpatrick

Grief through the Holidays Offered by Home Hospice of Grayson and Cooke Counties

BJ Kirkpatrick News
Grief Support Group

Home Hospice of Grayson and Cooke Counties is pleased to announce a new four-week Support Group starting on November 27, 2018 in Whitesboro. This group will be specially focused on grief through the Holidays. Each week we will work through discussion topics such as facing extended family, creating new traditions and getting through “firsts.” The group will meet at the First Presbyterian Church, 200 N. Union Street, in Whitesboro.

The sessions will be held on Tuesday mornings from 10:00am – 11:30am November 27th, December 4th, 11th and 18th.

“Experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one is a normal part of life’s journey” said Kelly Lamkin, Home Hospice Social Worker. “However, it can become an overwhelming enemy that can be harmful physically and emotionally. There is no magic pill or quick fix for this grief, but sharing your journey with others who have experienced the loss of a loved one, can make it easier. Come and join us – you can attend all four support groups or just one if you choose.”

To register for the support group, please contact Nancy Jackson at 903-868-9315. Home Hospice of Grayson, Cooke and Fannin Counties is a 501(c)(3) community-based non-profit organization founded in 1982 and serving our communities for 36 years. Our mission is to provide the best care and support enhancing the Quality of Life of our patients and their families. To learn about other community outreach programs offered by Home Hospice, please visit www.homehospice.org or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/homehospiceofgrayson.

Children’s Museum Receives Tobacco Grant from Hunt Regional Healthcare

BJ Kirkpatrick News
Mega Lung

Museum’s MEGALung Visits Hunt County Schools

The Children’s Museum’s MEGALung is traveling to schools throughout Hunt County.  As the recipient of a recent Tobacco Grant from Hunt Regional Healthcare, the Children’s Museum is bringing their one-of-a-kind lung to classrooms.  As part of the instruction, students have the opportunity to sit inside the 8 foot tall MEGALung.   Such lung diseases as cancer, emphysema, pneumonia, COPD, asthma, and bronchitis can be seen on the giant lung.  Instruction in the classroom includes the students’ ability to measure their oxygen level and blood pressure through using oximeters.

Through the lessons on maintaining healthy lungs, students learn that tobacco use, either inhaling, through secondhand smoke, or other products, is the top cause for not only lung, but also other types of cancers.  They learn that lung cancer has the highest occurrence of any cancer in Hunt County.  According to DataUSA, smoking is directly responsible for approximately 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and approximately 80 percent of deaths caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

“We hope that the impact of walking through the giant lung combined with the information on maintaining a healthy lung will make a lasting impression on the students.  We hope they will go home and share the information with their families,”  said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum.  “The funds from the Tobacco Grant are being used to improve the health in Hunt County.”

The MEGALung has also been taken to Health Fairs and schools in Fannin and Lamar counties.  For information on bring the giant lung to your school or event, call the Children’s Museum at 903-886-6055.

Children’s Museum Annual Brunch with Santa

BJ Kirkpatrick News
Brunch with Santa NTCM

Santa Claus will make a special stop at the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum on December 1 from 9:30 to 11:30. Commerce Lil’ Angels will provide a pancake breakfast. Christmas crafts and, of course, pictures with Santa Claus, will make the event a wonderful way to begin the Christmas Season.

“This is a wonderful way to begin the Christmas season,” said Sharline Freeman, Executive Director. “It is exciting for us to see the children so happy with the excitement of Christmas.”

In addition to Brunch, several Christmas craft areas will entertain the children. They may make Christmas ornaments or have their face painted. They may even write a letter to Santa and mail it at the Children’s Museum. Children have the opportunity to play in all the exhibits. They can make bubbles in the Commerce Lil Angels Bubble Room, doctor the dogs in the Commerce Veterinary Clinic, buy groceries in the Brookshire’s Grocery exhibit, milk a cow, or play in any of the other play areas.

“This event has become a highlight for families in northeast Texas,” said Donna Tavener, Board President. “It is one of my favorite events of the year.”

Get ready for a picture with Santa, bring your wish list and say “hello” to jolly, old Saint Nick on December 1. Tickets for the event are $8.00 per person and are $10.00 at the door on the day of the event. For more information, call the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum at (903) 886-6055.