16th annual Amy in Bloom auction, Grade "A" safety ratings: Seacoast health news

16th annual Amy in Bloom auction fundraiser

PORTSMOUTH — Amy’s Treat, an all-volunteer legacy foundation created in 2007, is dedicated to providing solutions to the day-to-day difficulties of living with cancer and offers unexpected “treats” to renew the spirit. Since its inception, Amy’s Treat has helped thousands of people navigate through the complexities of a cancer diagnosis.

Spend an afternoon in support of your local community at the 16th annual Amy in Bloom auction fundraiser. Join us at The Venue in Portsmouth on Sunday, May 19, starting at 3 p.m. for an unforgettable event to support Amy's Treat and the patients of the Mass General Cancer Center in Dover and Portsmouth (formerly the Seacoast Cancer Center).

Ever dreamed of attending a Hall of Fame induction ceremony for legends like Tom Brady? How about experiencing the serenity of a stay at Norumbega, named a 2024 Best Hotel in the World by Travel and Leisure, or the thrill of dining atop a lighthouse? Picture yourself immersed in the melodies and soulful tunes of Jelly Roll or Kacey Musgraves, courtesy of exclusive TD Garden Cross Boardroom tickets. And that's just the beginning.

Indulge in a getaway to picturesque Nantucket, savor a private Bonsai Bar Experience complete with delectable Ore Nell’s BBQ sliders, or elevate your memorabilia collection with rare signed first edition Stephen King collectibles or a Taylor Swift Eras Tour poster. From archery lessons to rappelling down waterfalls to the elegance of Newport polo, our auction promises a treasure trove of experiences to suit every taste.

By attending and bidding generously, you're not only vying for these incredible prizes but also supporting the noble mission of Amy's Treat. Together, we're making a difference by providing solutions to the everyday challenges of living with cancer and bringing unexpected moments of joy to those in need. Join us as we celebrate life, hope, and the power of giving back.

Learn more and register here: https://amystreat.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/AmyInBloom2024.

NH Woodworkers and art students collaborate to benefit cancer patients

Bringing comfort and support to cancer patients is the goal of a new program spearheaded by the Guild of New Hampshire Woodworkers in collaboration with Pink Revolution Breast Cancer Alliance of NH; Merrimack High School; and Amanda Thomas Wig & Mastectomy Boutique. Guild members are crafting beautiful, wooden wig stands, which are then decoratively painted by high school art students. The stands are then donated to local cancer patients through the Boutique.

Woodturning involves fashioning a form using a lathe - a machine with a rotating drive which turns the piece being worked. According to Rick Manganello, who leads the Guild’s woodturning program, 20 Guild woodturners have made stands. He says as the enthusiasm for the program grows, he expects many more turners will be involved. Says Manganello, “Wood is being donated by area hardwood dealers. We just delivered our first batch of 25 stands to the Boutique, marking the beginning of this incredible collaboration. Our goal is to create 10 stands per month, ensuring that more patients in our community can benefit from this initiative.”

And that delivery has already had an impact. As one cancer patient noted, “I was purchasing a wig to wear during chemotherapy and when I was checking out I admired the beautiful selection of wooden wig stands and the sales person said ‘choose one at no cost’! It was such a nice gift at this time.”

Manganello explains the project partners include Lauren Caulfield of Pink Revolution of NH, Jackie Staiti from Amanda Thomas Wig Boutique in Merrimack, and Hannah West, Merrimack High School art teacher and her students.

Exeter Hospital earns an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group

EXETER – Exeter Hospital earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

"Exeter Hospital is deeply committed to striving for the highest standards of patient safety. Achieving an “A” rating is a testament to the entire organization and every person’s aspiration to deliver the highest quality care to every patient everyday” said Debra Cresta, president, Exeter Hospital.

“Everyone who works at Exeter Hospital should be proud of this ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It takes complete dedication at every level, and an ironclad commitment to putting patients first. I thank Exeter Hospital, its leadership, clinicians, staff, and volunteers for caring so deeply for its patients and their safety.”

To see Exeter Hospital’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram and via The Leapfrog Group newsletter.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital awarded “A” Grade for Safety

DOVER – Wentworth-Douglass Hospital awarded an “A” grade for safety Wednesday by the Leapfrog Group, an independent, national not-for-profit watchdog organization.The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades, ranging from “A” to “F,” to general hospitals throughout the United States. The grades are based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public.

"We are once again deeply honored to receive this 'A' grade from the Leapfrog Group, which reflects the unwavering dedication of our staff to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients,” said Wentworth-Douglass president and chief operating officer Darin Roark. “At Wentworth-Douglass, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving our community with excellence and I’m proud that this is yet another example of that."

“Everyone who works at Wentworth-Douglass should be proud of this ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of the Leapfrog Group. “It takes complete dedication of at every level, and an ironclad commitment to putting patients first. I thank Wentworth-Douglass, its leadership, clinicians, staff, and volunteers for caring so deeply for its patients and their safety.”

The full Leapfrog grade details for hospitals are available online at HospitalSafetyGrade.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 16th annual Amy in Bloom auction, Grade "A" safety ratings: Seacoast health news