Area holiday events

Area holiday events

BOARDMAN

The Kids’ Crew of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley is planning a number of holiday season events to benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley. They are:

“A Children’s Holiday” tree lighting and third anniversary celebration on Dec. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Building C on the hospital’s Beeghly Campus, 6505 Market St., Boardman. The celebration features cocoa, cookies and carols and the lighting of the Children’s holiday tree at 6 p.m. In addition to a visit from Santa Claus, children’s activities will include face painting, crafts, cookie and ornament decorating and more. “A Children’s Holiday” is free and open to the public and is hosted by the Kids’ Crew, Eat’n Park, Starbucks and Walmart.

For a donation of $10, donors can sponsor a light on the holiday tree in honor or celebration of a special child by contacting JoAnn Stock, Akron Children’s Director of Development at 330-746-9122.

The third annual “Holiday Hopes and Wishes” luncheon on Dec. 9 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman. A social and shopping begins at 10 a.m. with luncheon served at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $30 per person; reservations are required. Corporate sponsorship packages are also available. Reservations may be made by calling 330-746-9122. All proceeds benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

The Holiday Hopes and Wishes event will feature a basket raffle, silent auction and holiday bake shoppe. Auction items include two American Girl Dolls; Cecile and Marie Grace; four tickets to the Jan. 1, 2012, Pittsburgh Steelers/Cleveland Browns game, and many other prizes.

The Kids’ Crew of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley is a committee of caring community volunteers interested in making a difference in the lives of children of the Mahoning Valley. Its primary purpose is to provide assistance with hospital-sponsored special events and other fundraising activities.

Membership in Kids’ Crew is open to anyone 18 years or older who are interested in Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley and the purpose of the Kids’ Crew. Dues are $15 and are renewable by Jan. 31 each year. For more information, call 330-746-9122.

New MRI services in Warren, Austintown

WARREN

Two new MRI systems that advance diagnostic medical imaging capabilities and services are now operationing at ValleyCare Health System of Ohio centers on Elm Road Northeast in Warren and in Austintown.

“This new technology allows us to better serve and care for our patients by providing local access to the most advanced medical imaging services and a wider range of procedures—many without contrast,” said Nancy James, director of Imaging at Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

For patients and physicians, the new 1.5 Tesla MRIs offer several advantages from high quality imaging and expanded capabilities for more accurate diagnosis, to high-resolution contrast-free Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) and shorter exam times for increased patient safety and comfort, she said.

The ultra-short, open-bore design helps to reduce anxiety for a better patient experience, especially for claustrophobic or larger patients. The widest in the industry, the MRI can accommodate overweight patients. Also, the patient’s head remains outside of the gantry for most procedures, providing more breathing room and an open view, said Mark Brall, director of Imaging at Northside Medical Center in Youngstown.

Another advantage of the new technology is contrast-free imaging techniques for MRA procedures that provide better imaging, more effective exams as well as a safer alternative for patients concerned about the use of contrast agents, said Dr. Richard J. Loges III, interventional radiologist and a member of the medical staff at TMH.

Arteries and veins can be imaged at the same time but are displayed separately to more accurately diagnose diseases that affect arteries and veins. The unit’s advanced small vessel imaging makes it possible to diagnose disease before it progresses to larger vessels, improving patient treatment.

Also, renal arteries and other vasculature can be imaged non-invasively. For patients with compromised circulation and renal flow problems, the MRI provides dynamic images that show blood flow in motion.