The Helping Hands Organization of Cincinnati, which reaches out to help those in need, is asking for a helping hand itself on its latest project.

The group is planning a fund-raiser for Brian Maltry of Batavia Township, who is suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia, a slowly progressing blood and bone marrow disease.

The fund-raiser for the family is set for 7 p.m. Jan. 29 at Annie's, 4343 Kellogg Ave., Columbia-Tusculum.

"We need items to be donated for either a raffle or silent auction," said Toni Bolser, a member of the Helping Hands Organization of Cincinnati. "Our organization was established in November 2001 for the sole purpose of helping families in the Tristate area that have been met with adverse conditions beyond their control."

Brian Maltry, with his wife, Cyndi Craig Maltry (left), and friends Toni Bolser (rear) and Leigh Anne Meurer at the Maltrys' Batavia Township home. (Gary Landers photo)

Maltry, 34, needs a bone marrow transplant.

He is receiving chemotherapy but will have to move to Seattle for at least three months for the transplant.

"He is very young to have this kind of leukemia," said Brian's wife, Cyndi, 36. "He has been fighting the disease, trying to hold on. Usually a transplant is not recommended for this kind of disease, but because of his age, doctors think he has a chance."

The Maltrys have two small children, Jarrod, 4, and Natalie, 8.

Donations are welcome; an account has been set up to cover transplant expenses at Fifth Third Bank.

Seton awards given

The time-honored traditions of church, family and caring for the impoverished - a mission established by the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati more than a century ago - were reflected through three people who received the 2004 Elizabeth Seton Award last Sunday.

"The Sisters of Charity have established a strong tradition of teaching social service and reaching out to the poor, empowering them to improve their lives," said John Trokan, professor of religious studies at Mount St. Joseph College, Delhi Township.

Trokan was one of the honorees. Others were Kay Clifton, a deaconess and lay leader at the State Avenue United Methodist Church and a teacher at Mount St. Joseph, and Rosemary E. Schmidt, medical director at St. Joseph Home in Sharonville.

Trokan has led an effort to shape a curriculum at Mount St. Joseph that best reflects the mission of the Sisters of Charity.

Ohio University dean's list

Freshman Adam Zinsser was named to the fall trimester dean's list at Ohio University. A Stocker Scholar, he is majoring in mechanical engineering.

The Loveland High School graduate is the son of Mary Lou and Robert Zinsser of Loveland.

MENSA awards

The Cincinnati Area Chapter of Mensa, the high IQ society, recognized these students in their annual scholarship program:

First Place - John Reese, a Fairfield High School graduate studying computer science on scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology, N.Y.

Second Place - Abhijit Mehta, of Montgomery, a sophomore at Duke University, Durham, N.C.

Third Place - David Palmer, of Anderson Township, a doctoral student at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.

Reese and Mehta also received Regional Scholarship recognition, as did Ronald Hardin, of Clifton, who also attends the Jewish Institute of Religion.

Medical Society scholarships

The Butler County Medical Society Foundation granted scholarships to three Butler County residents enrolled in approved medical schools. The recipients were:

Robyn Gorman, of Fairfield, a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Christopher Savage, of Hamilton, a senior at Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton.

Shawn Trokhan, of Hamilton, a junior at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland.

To submit, please call 755-4165.