Town Talk

“Selfish persons are incapable of loving others, but they are not capable of loving themselves either.”

— Erich Fromm

FUNDRAISER

THE FIFTH ANNUAL Possibilities: Siskin Hospital Celebrates Life Beyond Disability luncheon held at the Chattanooga Convention Center was a huge success, said Lindsay Wyatt, hospital media coordinator.

Lee Woodruff, wife of newsman Bob Woodruff, was the keynote speaker.

Mr. Woodruff, who was named co-anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight” in December 2005, was reporting on United States and Iraqi security forces in late January 2006, when he was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq, according to www.abcnews.go.com.

“In February 2007, just 13 months after being wounded in Iraq, Woodruff returned to ABC News with his first on-air report, ‘To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports,’ ” the Web site noted. “The hourlong documentary chronicled his traumatic brain injury, his painstaking recovery, and the plight of thousands of service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with similar injuries. Woodruff is continuing to cover traumatic brain injuries for all ABC News broadcasts and platforms as well as other stories around the nation and the world.”

Nearly 700 people attended the Siskin Hospital luncheon, Ms. Wyatt said.

“The attendance was phenomenal, as there were 300 more people this year than last year,” she said. “Our steering committee did a fantastic job in their fundraising efforts, and we appreciate all of their hard work.”

Money raised will benefit the Patient Assistance Fund, “which provides funds to those without the means to pay for their treatment,” Ms. Wyatt said.

Among those responsible for making the event a success were emcee Cindy Sexton, committee co-chairmen Mike and Debbie Brown, and honorary co-chairmen Joe and Susan Davenport “for their contribution to the new brain injury unit at Siskin Hospital, as well as Unum for showing their continued support as the event’s main corporate sponsor,” she said.

“Siskin Hospital would like to thank everyone in the community who came out to enjoy Lee Woodruff’s inspiring speech,” Ms. Wyatt said. “Lee was truly captivating and her work to better the lives of brain injury patients going through rehabilitation is appreciated by everyone at Siskin Hospital.”

HEARD ON THE TOWN

THE MARY ELLEN Locher Foundation will celebrate its sixth anniversary with a luncheon on April 20.

“This year’s luncheon is titled ‘Inspire’ in honor of the many survivors who continue to inspire others on the cancer journey and our entire community,” said event spokeswoman Darlene Smith. “This unique event is for family and friends with special entertainment for adults and children.”

The MaryEllen Locher Foundation was founded by the late MaryEllen Locher in 2002 to award college scholarships to children of breast cancer survivors.

“MaryEllen called the children of breast cancer the ‘walking wounded,’ ” Ms. Smith said. “Her intention for awarding these scholarships was not only to relieve emotional and financial burdens brought on by this disease, but to acknowledge that this disease affects the entire family.

“Receiving one of these scholarships insures not only the educational future but lets a recipient know their suffering is not unnoticed,” she said. “The MaryEllen Locher Foundation supports all community efforts with regard to breast cancer treatment and awareness, although it is not affiliated with the breast cancer center named in her honor or any other local organization.”

Among those planning the upcoming event are Stephanie Treadway, Jan Moses, chairmen Mike and Elena Haskew, Robin Hays, Pam Pollard and Joyce Godsey.

Tickets for the event can be purchased on the web at: www.MaryEllenLocherFoundation.org, or by phone at 490-4555.

EAR TO THE GROUND

DOWN TO EARTH, a lawn and garden show that benefits the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Speech and Hearing Center, will be held March 15-16 at the Camp Jordan Arena in East Ridge.

According to www.speechandhearing.com, the Speech and Hearing Center was established in 1953. The focus at the time was individual patient and programs for children and adults with communication disorders.

“In 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed and one year later the center branched out and began a new program for Industrial Services,” the Web site noted. “Before OSHA established the Hearing Conservation Act in 1984, The Speech and Hearing Center was already offering on-site hearing tests for industries. Today, over 160 companies have come to rely on the center to coordinate their Hearing Conservation Program.”

The seventh annual event is sponsored by the Downtown Sertoma Club.