Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cancer Institute has opened the Glimmer of Hope Metastatic Breast Cancer Center, offering patients with advanced breast cancer comprehensive, centralized, coordinated care with special attention to clinical trial options and quality-of-life issues.

Located within the new AHN Cancer Institute–Allegheny General and opened with funding from Pittsburgh nonprofit Glimmer of Hope, the William F. and Lynn D. Gauss Foundation, and other key donors, the center offers care that revolves entirely around women with late-stage breast cancer.

While breast cancer is curable when detected early, about 30% of early-stage breast cancer patients eventually develop Stage IV metastatic cancer, when the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

An increasing number of women survive many years with metastatic cancer as the result of new treatments.

The center holds a weekly in-house tumor board dedicated to discussing individual patients, their treatment and potential eligibility for clinical trials.

Each patient at the center will be assigned a collaborative nurse who accompanies her to appointments, takes notes and is available for follow-up questions. Patients may also meet with an integrative medicine specialist who can recommend and arrange services, such as acupuncture that can help with symptom management, paid for by funding from Glimmer of Hope.

The Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company will distribute free carbon monoxide detectors to seniors age 65 and over as part of its ongoing Fire Safety Education Program.Battery-operated detectors will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 9 and 10 in the Cross Creek Room at the municipal center on Rochester Road.To receive a free detector, a person must be a township resident age 65 years or older who owns their own home. Proper ID is required. There is a one-detector-per-household limit while supplies last.Carbon monoxide is the No. 1 cause of poisoning death in the United States and is known as “The Silent Killer” due to its lack of color, odor and visibility.Each year, 480 people die due to carbon monoxide poisoning. More than 15,000 seek medical attention due to exposure. Symptoms include dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, fatigue, nausea and shortness of breath.Seniors are among the most vulnerable and comprise 8.5% of the township's population.

Mars Area plans Red Ribbon WeekNext week, Mars Area School District will celebrate Red Ribbon Week with the following themes:- Monday — “Don't Get Tied Up with Drugs”: Students may wear tie-dyed clothing.- Tuesday — “I'm Voting for a Drug Free Future”: Students are asked to wear red, white and blue colors.- Wednesday — “Don't Get Mixed Up with Drugs”: Students may wear mismatched outfits.- Thursday — “Your Choices Are the Keys to Your Dreams”: Students may wear pajamas.- Friday — “Our School Chooses to Be Drug Free”: Students may wear school colors (blue and gold).Red Ribbon Week, sponsored by National Family Partnership, is an annual drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention awareness campaign.For more information, call 724-625-1518 or visit http://redribbon.org.