FARMINGTON — The Franklin Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is hosting its annual fall luncheon from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the New Sharon Methodist Church. The event will include two guest speakers, followed by lunch of turkey and gravy, casseroles and dessert.

At 11 a.m. Rebecca Gagnon-Pillsbury, a physical therapist and Franklin Memorial Hospital’s caregiver of the year, will discuss lymphedema treatment. She has built a successful lymphedema program at FMH for the last 10 years, treating patients who have survived cancer and now deal with longstanding complicated diagnoses requiring lymphatic drainage. Patients are usually seen in two-hour sessions, requiring extensive hands-on manual lymph drainage for the entire treatment.

At approximately 11:30 a.m., Lori Lewis, board member and campaign co-chairwoman for the Western Maine Play Museum, will speak about plans for the museum. The organization plans to renovate donated property located in downtown Wilton and to furnish it with educational exhibits so kids have an opportunity to play and learn all at once. The children’s museum hopes to open its doors in the summer of 2015.

“This luncheon is a time to learn more about what’s happening in our community, and to socialize with friends and enjoy a delicious meal,” said Jill Gray, Auxiliary staff liaison. “Anyone is welcome to attend.”

The cost is $10 a person. An RSVP is requested by Thursday, Oct. 16, by calling Priscilla Smith at 645-2453.

The FMH Auxiliary hosts monthly activities and special events that raise thousands of dollars annually to support technology and programs at Franklin Memorial Hospital. Most recently, the Auxiliary’s annual gifts have supported the expansion of the healing garden on the hospital campus and technology to support child psychiatry services.

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