COVID-19 antibody testing available at Prendiville’s office

Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Stephen Prendiville is now offering COVID-19 antibody testing at his Fort Myers office.

Prendiville said he wanted to do something to help individuals who are concerned about whether they have had or have come into contact with someone with the COVID-19 virus.

“There aren’t many testing sites available yet. With our staff of medical professionals, we thought this would be a way to make testing Testing to see if someone has antibodies in their blood isn’t the same as testing to see if they are infected with COVID-19. An antibody test can determine if someone has been infected and recovered.

You do not have to be a patient of Dr. Prendiville’s to receive the test, which costs $220. Individuals may be able to file with their health insurance company on their own to recover part of the cost.

Appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Dr. Prendiville’s office at 9407 Cypress Lake Drive in Fort Myers. Call 239-437-3900 for an appointment.

Mark Loren Designs creates necklaces for families for Mother’s Day

In support of families hit especially hard during the COVID-19 crisis, Mark Loren Designs has created sterling silver and diamond necklaces to be gifted to 200 Southwest Florida moms in time for Mother’s Day.

Families who have been adversely impacted by coronavirus and wish to honor their mothers with a special gift can pick up the necklaces beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9 at Mark Loren Designs, 13351 McGregor Blvd., in Fort Myers. To respect social distancing guidelines, recipients will be asked to drive into the parking lot and the gift will be handed to them inside their vehicles.

Handmade by Loren and his team of artisan jewelers, each necklace is made of sterling silver in the shape of a heart, with a full-cut diamond in the center of the heart to spell out “mom.”

“In the wake of coronavirus, many families may be experiencing unemployment, isolation or even grief due to loss, and this is our way of ensuring they have a gift to honor their mother this year,” said Loren. “I believe that every piece of jewelry comes with a story, and for these women, I hope the necklace will always represent hope and resilience during what’s been a difficult, uncertain time.”

Mark Loren Designs is nationally known for offering unique and rare gemstones, diamond rings, engagement and wedding bands and expert jewelry design and repair. All services are done on-site at the Fort Myers gallery, located at 13351 McGregor Blvd. in Fort Myers. For more information, visit MarkLorenDesigns.com.

Healthy Lee launches Kids with Compassion initiative

Healthy Lee invites the Southwest Florida community to participate in Kids with Compassion, encouraging local children to create compassionate artwork and cards to send virtually to area seniors in assisted living, nursing homes, memory care and other senior facilities.

Working in partnership with The School District of Lee County, Healthy Lee’s latest initiative is designed to deliver virtual smiles, engaging students with a fun activity to look forward to at home, while also helping of seniors who are unable to have visitors or interact closely at this time. Healthy Lee partnered with Priority Marketing to develop a website at KidsWithCompassion.org, which helps connects children and seniors by allowing children to submit artwork or volunteer virtual time to local seniors.

To participate, children can create a card/artwork with a hopeful or funny message. Parents or guardians can then snap a photo of the “card,” or scan it to at least 300 DPI, and upload it at KidsWithCompassion.org. Area senior facilities will have access to the gallery where they can print and provide the cards for their residents to enjoy.

In addition to submitting virtual artwork, children and seniors can also register to be assigned to a pen pal at a local senior living community. Connections can be made via phone, video chat or pen and paper.

To learn more about Healthy Lee’s Kids with Compassion initiative, or to submit artwork or sign up for a pen pal, visit KidsWithCompassion.org.

To become a sponsor of this project, or to register a senior facility to participate, contact Cheryl.Schlichte@LeeHealth.org.

Achieva Credit Union donating $30,000 to area food banks

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s major impact on area communities, Achieva Credit Union is donating $30,000 to help support food banks through west-central Florida and all the communities it serves.

To generate greater impact, Achieva is reaching out to the community to ask for contributions and is matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to an additional $200,000. With the help of the public to reach this goal, Achieva is aiming to generate a total of $430,000 for local food banks.

Donations will go to an organization in each county where Achieva has branches. If donors prefer that a contribution is earmarked for a specific county, they can make a selection for that in PayPal, or notate it on their check: Pasco County One Community Now, Pinellas County RCS Pinellas, Manatee County The Salvation Army – Bradenton, Sarasota County All Faiths Food Bank, Charlotte County The Salvation Army Port Charlotte and Lee County Cape Coral Caring Center

Donations can be made through PayPal donate instantly to the Achieva Credit Union PayPal account, a deposit in a branch — visit the drive-thru at one of our branch locations. Cash or check is accepted or by mail a check — payable to the Achieva Foundation, Attn: COVID-19 donation, P.O. Box 1500, Dunedin, FL 34697

The Achieva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Corpor-ation supporting the local communities that Achieva Credit Union serves.