Cancer survivors are invited to an Ohio River cruise June 2 for National Cancer Survivors Day.

        The event includes an afternoon of food, fun, entertainment and prizes on the Belle of Cincinnati. The boat takes off from Covington Landing at 1 p.m. Registration is required and the cost is $10.

        Register online at www.cancersurvivorsday.org or call 686-5555.

        “As of last week, there were still 200 vacancies,” said Sheryl Hilton, public relations officer for the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. “It is encouraging to see people who have survived cancer and going ahead with their lives. It encourages people to be tested early.”

        The cruise, billed as the Festival of Life, will feature Freddie, a search and rescue dog from Indiana, there to honor Krueger, a search and rescue dog and a cancer survivor who died of old age last year.

        “Greater Cincinnati area women, children and men celebrate another year of life at this event to show that with early detection and treatment, cancer is a survivable disease,” said Mary Fourth, chairman of this year's Planning Committee.

        Ms. Fourth is manager of the University Hospital Barrett Cancer Center.

        “There is life after cancer,” said Cecilia Fenoglio-Preiser, director of the Barrett Center for Cancer Research and director of pathology and laboratory medicine at the UC College of Medicine.

        Sponsors of the cruise celebration are: The Health Alliance, Cincinnati United Contractors Inc., Mercy Health Partners, Tri-Health and the Tristate Coalition.

        • • •

        The Cincinnati/Hamilton County Community Action Agency's Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) established itself last year as one of the best in the state by helping more than 30,000 families with heating and cooling bills, utility budget plans, housing, rental and food.

        “All of our customers' applications are processed and electronically filed with the state, making benefits available immediately,” said Herbert Walker, manager of HEAP.

        “Time spent per customer is about 25 minutes for two-thirds of our customers and about 45 minutes for one-third of them.”

        Mr. Walker said 11,361 families were put on the agency's percentage of income payment plan (PIPP), which allowed them to keep their utilities without making full payments.

        A customer with a $500 monthly income would pay $50, 10 percent of household income. In the winter, the customer pays $25, 5 percent of household income.

        To qualify for the program, contact the CAA office, 2904 Woodburn Ave., Walnut Hills, and give proof of gross monthly household income for the last three months, Mr. Walker said.

       Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

Reds' home on time, on budget
Couple surprised by murky home title
Getting to races gets easier
Luken: City already on 'right path'
Umbrella weather all week
Indiana election a snoozer
Primaries: What's on the ballot
Tax issues before local voters today
Vote put off on life-center zoning
Beanbag victims paid for pain
Danielle Hater, 19, embodied courage
Melee photos could lead to arrests
Recreation center to be built
Reece's lawyer denounces suit
PULFER: Family ties
RADEL: Race relations
Some Good News
2 killed in 4-car accident
Aging facilities sprout problems
Breast cancer cases increasing in Ky.
Cheshire, Ohio no more
Colorado has latest mailbox bomb
Educators meet with government
Fire unit gains mascot
Jury hears tape in child-death case
Law to be deposed in abuse lawsuit
Many colleges still have openings
Robber's punishment is 5 years
Students stung in drug bust
Veterinarian charged with animal cruelty
Kentucky A.M. report
Tristate A.M. report