February 13, 2017 - ChaddsFordLive.com

Admins appreciate UCFEF

Members of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation mingle with school board members, administrators, parents and friends of the district during the foundation's Golden Gala held at The Gables last Saturday night. — Members of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation mingle with school board members, administrators, parents and friends of the district during the foundation’s Golden Gala held at The Gables last Saturday night.

During the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation’s fourth annual Golden Gala, two principals expressed their deep appreciation for the group.

For Steve Dissinger, principal at Hillendale Elementary School, the foundation was “the catalyst to bring in funding for the Hillendale Trail. We completed the [0.7-mile] trail in the fall. It was really an education foundation grant that started everything coming in.”

He said he appreciated the foundation’s funding of other projects as well, including the renovation of the school’s large instructional room, the trail and has been involved in technology purchases.

“They’re very supportive of Hillendale and we appreciate the foundation greatly,” Dissinger said.

He added that he would like to see a future expansion of the trail, maybe add a nature area. “We’re hoping they’ll partner with us with that.”

Tim Hoffman, principal at CF Patton Middle School, said the foundation was involved in providing grant money for some technology initiatives and specifically mentioned getting the funds to make additions to water fountains so students can fill their own water bottles.

“The foundation tries to fund projects that would benefit most of the kids. You don’t want to deal with small projects that only benefit a small number. We want to use foundation grant money to make the biggest impact it can,” Hoffman said.

In the past, foundation money was used for the outdoor vegetable garden and Hoffman said the school is now looking to get involved in the American Chestnut Project, a science research project that inoculates, measures and grows chestnut trees.

Also attending the gala was Unionville-Chadds Ford School District President Vic Dupuis who said the foundation is representative of a great community that comes out to support its schools.

“This is part of the fabric of what we do as a district,” Dupuis said.

Anne Millman, the chairperson for this year’s gala, said the event has raised, on average, $20,000 to $25,000 per year for the past three years. She hopes the 2017 event would raise at least the same.

While the foundation has only been holding the gala for four years, the group has been in existence for more than 20 years. During that time it has raised more than $300,000 for grants and special projects for each of the schools in the district, Millman said.

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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Brucie Powell Parks of Kennett Square

Obituaries

Brucie Powell Parks, 86, of Kennett Square, died Thursday, Feb. 9, at Ware Presbyterian Village. She was the wife of Alfred W. Parks, who died in 2001, and with whom she shared 54 years of marriage.

Born in Mountain City, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Gus and Cora Anderson Powell.

She was a group leader at Harowe Servo Controls in West Chester, retiring in 1995 after 30 years of service.

She was very committed to her faith, and enjoyed being with her family and friends.

She is survived by one son, James Robert Parks of West Grove; two daughters, Lois Sasiadek of Thief River Falls, Minn. and Donna Ifert and her husband Jonathan of Chatham; seven grandchildren, Zenda Frey, Shawn Ifert, Nathan Ifert, Rebecca Zucchero, Rachel Cimino, Lisa Benjamin, Shelah Simpson and eight great grandchildren.

Mrs. Parks was predeceased by one brother, James Powell and one sister, Pauline Richards.

You are invited to visit with her family and friends from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, 250 West State Street, Kennett Square. Her funeral service will follow at 11. Burial will be in the Upper Octorara Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Route 10 in Parkesburg.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

About CFLive Staff

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Dorothy Kirk Paschall

Obituaries

Dorothy Kirk Paschall, 97, a resident of Ware Presbyterian Village, died Feb. 11. Born in Oxford, on Dec. 28, 1919, she was daughter of the late Edwin F. Kirk Sr. and Cassandra (Clement) Kirk. She was the wife of the late Edwin H. Paschall Sr., to whom she was married for 52 years, before he passed away in 1995.

Dorothy graduated from Oxford High School where she played violin and played sports: hockey and basketball. After high school, she graduated from Goldey Beacom Business College. She was employed as a secretary, office manager and bookkeeper for a number of places, including Kennett Consolidated School District and Kendall-Crosslands Retirement Community.

After her marriage, she moved to a farm outside of Kennett Square where she helped with many farm duties, including the bookkeeping. Over the years, she was very active in a number of clubs and organizations, many times serving as an officer at the local and state level. She was a member of the Business and Professional Women of Kennett Square, The Homemaker’s Club, Red Hat Society, Soroptimist Club, London Grove Grange, The Brandywine Fiber Arts Guild, Farm Women and was a 4-H leader.

She loved to spend time with family and friends, travel, play cards, garden, music, sports and enjoyed all the various crafts and fiber arts – especially sewing, weaving, crocheting and knitting. She volunteered at the New-to-You-Shop at the Ware Presbyterian Village, taught crafts at the senior center and was a poll worker during elections.

She was a birthright Quaker and always very involved in the life of the Friends Meeting (first Oxford and then London Grove), serving on many committees, teaching First Day School and eventually as chairman of the Worship and Ministry Committee at the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends.

She is survived by two children, Sandra Paschall Bruce (Gerald) of Lancaster, and Edwin H. Paschall Jr. of Kennett Square, seven grandchildren: Elizabeth Elfner, Heather Kline, John Eastburn, III, Catherine McCartan, Rebecca Knapp, Denise Bannon, Cheryl Eastburn, two step-grandchildren: Shelli Tipping and Tara Montague, 14 great grandchildren and two step great grandchildren.

She is predeceased by an infant son, John E. Paschall, a daughter Judith Anne (Paschall) Montague and siblings: Elma Maule, Mary Elizabeth Kirk and Edwin F. Kirk Jr.

A Memorial Meeting for Worship will be held Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at London Grove Friends Meeting, 500 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to “London Grove Monthly Meeting” and be mailed to Douglas Myers, Treasurer, 483 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.griecocares.com

Arrangements by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Kennett Square.

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Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer tests

Health

HeredityTest — Tests for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

Some families seem to have exceptionally bad luck when it comes to cancer. There are mothers and daughters, sisters and aunts who have battled with breast or ovarian cancer, frequently more than once. But it’s more than simple bad luck – the elevated risk for developing cancer is part of their genes.

Every year in the United States, more than 207,000 patients are diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 21,000 are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Up to 10 percent of these cases are caused by Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC) Syndrome. There are genetic tests that can help a patient understand their potential risk for developing cancer. However, there are several important issues to consider before deciding if this kind of test is right for you.

What is HBOC?

HBOC is a syndrome that produces higher than normal rates of breast and ovarian cancer in family members who are genetically related. Most cases of HBOC are related to mutations in two specific genes, called BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Normally, these genes produce proteins that help to suppress tumors by repairing damaged DNA. In this way, they ensure that the cell’s genetic material is stable. However, when someone inherits a specific mutation of these genes, they no longer work properly. DNA damage is not repaired, which can result in additional genetic abnormalities that eventually lead to cancer.

Who Is at Risk?

Genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 is not appropriate for everyone. However, certain people and families may be at higher risk for having hereditary cancer if they fall into any of the following categories:

A diagnosis of breast cancer before age 50
Cancer in both breasts in the same woman
Both breast and ovarian cancers in the same woman or the same family
Multiple breast cancers
Cases of male breast cancer
Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity
Two or more primary types of BRCA1- or BRCA2-related cancers in a single family member

Should You Get Tested?

If you or a family member is at higher risk for having hereditary cancer, a genetic screening test may be appropriate. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can be identified through blood and saliva tests. However, it’s essential to also have a discussion with a genetic counselor as part of this process, since there are complex issues surrounding testing.

The counselor will help you understand if testing is appropriate, the medical implications of the test results, the potential for inconclusive results, the psychological impact of testing, and the likelihood that you or a family member would pass the gene mutation to their children.

What If the Test Results Are Positive?

If the tests indicate that you have the BRCA mutation, there are several options for managing your increased cancer risk:

Enhanced screening: Some patients who test positive have more frequent cancer screenings starting at a younger age.
Prophylactic surgery: This surgical option involves removing as much of the at-risk tissue as possible, including both breasts, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Chemoprevention: In patients who have the mutation and have already had cancer, medications and vitamins can be used to help reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.

If your personal history or family history puts you at greater for developing breast or ovarian cancer, it’s important that you speak with your doctor about preventive strategies and treatment options. Early detection is the strongest weapon in the battle against cancer.

About the Author

Patricia Hollenback, R.N., BSN, OCN

Patti is a champion for cancer prevention and early detection. As a nurse navigator, her primary goal is to create an open and trusting relationship with her patients in order to guide them through the medical maze of testing, treatment and recovery

About Crozer Keystone Staff

Crozer-Keystone Health System’s physicians, specialists and advanced practitioners are committed to improving the health of our community through patient-centered, quality care across a full continuum of health services. Crozer Brinton Lake is Crozer-Keystone’s comprehensive outpatient care facility in western Delaware County, offering primary care, specialty services, outpatient surgery and advanced cancer treatment. Contact us: 300 Evergreen Drive, Glen Mills, PA 19342 http://www.crozerkeystone.org/Brinton-Lake 1-855-254-7425

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