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Dover freshman seeking blood stem cell donor

Dover freshman seeking blood stem cell donor

Brian Rojas, 14, of Dover Plains needs a lifesaving blood stem cell transplant. According to DKMS, an international organization dedicated to helping people fight blood cancers, 70% of patients suffering from blood-related illnesses rely on donors from outside their families.

Photo provided

DOVER PLAINS — Brian Rojas, of Dover Plains, and his family are seeking blood stem cell donors to aid in his fight against myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of disorders caused by deformed or malfunctioning blood cells.

A donor drive to search for eligible stem cell donors will be held Saturday, March 8, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Grand Ballroom on Westchester Avenue in Port Chester, New York.

The donor drive is a simple swab to find an eligible donor. According to DKMS, an international organization dedicated to fighting blood cancers and helping families find donors, 70% of patients suffering from blood-related illnesses rely on donors from outside their families. Minority populations are underrepresented in the donor pool. Hispanic patients like Rojas have a harder time finding eligible donors.

Anyone in good health — especially members of the hispanic community — between the age of 18 to 55 is encouraged to attend the donor drive March 8. Potential registrants will review medical eligibility, fill out a registration form, swab the insides of their cheeks, and then drop off their completed packet before leaving the drive.

Rojas is a freshman at Dover Plains high school where he is an honors student and active student athlete.

Rojas’s latest struggle with myelodysplastic syndromes is just the latest in a lifetime of dealing with illness. At four years old Rojas was diagnosed with a rare genetic brain disease and received gene therapy, allowing him a second chance at life.

Millerton News
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Toddler movement pilot demonstrates community-led approach for programming at NECC

Toddler movement pilot demonstrates community-led approach for programming at NECC

Kim Yarnell, right, leads a group of toddlers and parents in basic ballet lessons at the North East Community Center office on South Center Street in Millerton on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Photo by Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — The North East Community Center is a great place to get the wiggles out.

That’s the consensus from a room full of bouncing toddlers at the final weekly “Toddler Movement” class at the NECC office on South Center Street on Sunday, Oct. 11. The six-week dance lesson program was a pilot spearheaded by Millerton parent Kim Yarnell to provide some much desired social time outside the house.

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community

Pine Plains school board votes to close Cold Spring

Pine Plains school board votes to close Cold Spring

PINE PLAINS — The Pine Plains Board of Education voted unanimously Oct. 6 to close Cold Spring Early Learning Center in Stanford, ending a debate that has lasted for more than two years.

Beginning in the 2027-28 school year, roughly 150 students in pre-K through first grade at Cold Spring will move to Seymour Smith Intermediate Learning Center in Pine Plains. “This decision was not made lightly or precipitously,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Timm said in a statement. “We will continue to provide frequent updates as we move through the transition process. Our priority remains what is in the best interest of our students.”

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education

County legislators propose covering Flock cameras if not removed

County legislators propose covering Flock cameras if not removed

POUGHKEEPSIE — A resolution requiring Dutchess County to cover its deactivated Flock Safety cameras was unanimously advanced in the Dutchess County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee this week. That will include cameras in Millerton and Amenia, even if they’re on private property.

The cameras, which capture the license plates of passing cars, were decommissioned after a public forum in Pleasant Valley last month. Following that meeting, Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi and Sheriff Kirk Imperati announced on Sept. 25 that all 60-plus cameras owned or operated by the county would be immediately deactivated. The cameras are to be physically removed by Oct. 25.

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Millerton News celebrates 5th anniversary as nonprofit, honors community leader Dick Hermans

Millerton News celebrates 5th anniversary as nonprofit, honors community leader Dick Hermans

From left, Board Chair Dan Dwyer, Publisher and CEO James Clark, Estabrook Community Leadership Award recipient Dick Hermans, his daughter Suzanna Hermans and Jubilee co-chair Joan Osofsky at the annual gala Oct. 11.

Photo by Patrick Stachniak

The Lakeville Journal and The Millerton News, published by the nonprofit organization LJMN Media, held their annual Jubilee gala at the Sharon Playhouse Sunday, Oct. 11, to celebrate five years of nonprofit ownership and honor Dick Hermans with the Estabrook Community Leadership Award.

About 200 attendees, including contributors, board members and staff, gathered in the Bok Gallery at the Sharon Playhouse at 49 Amenia Road to enjoy food and a live performance by The Joint Chiefs and pay tribute to Hermans.

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millerton news

Amenia Harvest Festival returns for second year

Amenia Harvest Festival returns for second year

Amenia’s annual Harvest Festival will celebrate its second year of family fun with expanded activities. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

East Main Street (Route 343, east of the traffic light) between Fountain Square and Mechanic Street will be alive with food, music, and a variety of vendors. Watch for a magician roaming through the crowd to delight children, along with a Bounce House and face painting.

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events

Fall wagon rides

Fall wagon rides

Residents celebrated their Fall Festival at The Fountains by joining in an annual tractor-drawn wagon ride on Wednesday, Oct. 7. They were on the first of three scheduled rides throughout the day, where residents toured the former Hope Farms and campus of the Greer School that once stood on land that is now The Fountains. Narrating the tour was Marcia Berry, Housekeeping Director at The Fountains, whose mother-in-law, Jan Berry, attended Greer School.

Photo by Leila Hawken

Residents celebrated their Fall Festival at The Fountains by joining in an annual tractor-drawn wagon ride on Wednesday, Oct. 7. They were on the first of three scheduled rides throughout the day, where residents toured the former Hope Farms and campus of the Greer School that once stood on land that is now The Fountains. Narrating the tour was Marcia Berry, Housekeeping Director at The Fountains, whose mother-in-law, Jan Berry, attended Greer School.

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