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News and Upcoming Events
Please note: Events listed on this page are listed as a convenience for visitors to our website and are not necessarily sponsored by Maine Breast Cancer Coalition. Events sponsored by MBCC will be identified as such.
Martial Arts Enthusiasts: This February Wear a Pink Belt and Help Kick Breast Cancer!
You’ve heard of martial artists earning a black belt. Now is the time to wear a pink belt! Master Brent J. Crisci of United Martial Arts Academies is
holding a February fundraiser that promises to be a lot of fun while helping
Maine people in need.
Purchase a pink belt for $25 ... … then collect pledges and wear your pink belt for the month of February to kick breast cancer in two ways!
Proceeds from the pink belt sales and pledges go to the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition’s Support Service Fund*. *100% of Support Service Fund donations go directly to helping Maine residents in need. The Fund’s low administrative costs are covered by our Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® grant. You don’t have to be a martial artist to help! Many Moms, Dads and other family members have purchased a Pink Belt to help “KICK Breast Cancer”. You can stop by any of the UMAA locations located in Augusta, Gardiner, Winthrop, Lewiston, or Livermore Falls, Maine and purchase a belt or simply make a donation. Click here for more information. Call 621-0770 to take action and “kick breast cancer to the curb”!
Now Available! "The PINK Album, Music by Maine's Leading Female Recording Artists" to Benefit Support Service Fund
 Now available ---The PINK Album is an exclusive collection of performances by 27 of Maine's leading female singers and songwriters to benefit the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition Support Service Fund. The album is a project of PATCO Construction of Sanford, a long-time major supporter of the Support Service Fund, and is produced by Con Fullam of Port City Productions. Read about PATCO's and the Pink Album's remarkable story in The Key of Pink press release. Now available at at Mr. Paperback and Bull Moose Music locations statewide, or for online purchase. Click here to purchase the Pink Album online.
For more information and updates, visit The PINK Album website at www.mainepinkalbum.com and The PINK Album Facebook page often!
Kate McGrath Benefit: Portland, February 11.
Here's a chance to have a great time and benefit a great cause, too!
On Saturday, February 11, 2012, a benefit for the Kate McGrath Cancer Fund will be held at the Maine Irish Heritage Center, 34 Gray Street (Corner of State St.) in Portland. Ten percent of the proceeds go to the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition Support Service Fund. The remainder of the proceeds go to Kate and the McGrath family to help with Kate's medical expenses. ... or donate by visiting any TD Bank location and making checks payable to the "Kate McGrath Cancer Fund".
To All Maine Motorcycle Enthusiasts---Great News!
 An
exciting effort is under way to create the Maine Breast Cancer specialty
license plate for motorcycles! There is a formal legislative process that must take place to obtain
final approval for the first specialty motorcycle plate.
The next step is to obtain pre-reservations from 500 individuals before the Legislature adjourns in April, 2012.
Breast Cancer Deadline 2020: The End of Breast Cancer by January 1, 2020
The National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) has a unique history and an unmatched record of accomplishment in breast cancer. Since NBCC’s inception in 1991, the organization’s mission has been to end breast cancer. Now, NBCC has set a deadline: Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® – the end of breast cancer by January 1, 2020.
According to NBCC, “These are not just words; we have a strategic plan to get there. While the vast majority of resources are focused on finding the next treatment, NBCC is doing something very different. We are bringing together unprecedented collaborations among scientists, visionaries, and advocates to catalyze, plan and implement work in two major areas: how to prevent metastasis to save lives and how to prevent the development of breast cancer.” Beginning with a baseline report in May 2011, NBCC will issue Annual Progress Reports about Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®. These reports, which will summarize the state of breast cancer as well as the status of NBCC’s work to end breast cancer, will hold us and the entire breast cancer community accountable to the Deadline. Starting in 2013, NBCC will convene biennial Leadership Summits to examine progress and provide guidance and direction for the ongoing work to achieve Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®. To find out more about Breast Cancer Deadline 2020 and the National Breast Cancer Coalition go to www.stopbreastcancer.org. See the article below for information about the 2012 National Breast Cancer Coalition Advocate Summit in Washington DC. Save the Date for the 2012 National Breast Cancer Coalition Advocate Summit in Washington DC
When: May 5-8,
2012
Where: Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, VA Why: Because It’s Time to … Make Your Voice Heard, Get On the Clock and End Breast Cancer The National Breast Cancer Coalition has set a deadline to end breast cancer—January 1, 2020—Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®. Advocates from around the country and the world will gather in Washington D.C. in May to make their voices heard in a united and urgent call to decision-makers in breast cancer that it’s time to change the conversation on breast cancer research, public policy and care. Join hundreds of other breast cancer activists at the NBCC Advocate Summit* and rally behind Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®. Get On the Clock and tell all stakeholders you want them to be as committed to ending breast cancer by January 1, 2020 as you are. Learn the most effective approaches for implementing our strategic plan to end breast cancer by January 1, 2020. Be there! Complete your registration online at BreastCancerDeadline2020.org/2012Summit and view the most up-to-date Advocate Summit information. Early Bird Registration and Scholarship Application Deadline: February 10, 2012 *The 20th Annual Advocacy Training Conference will reflect the high stakes of Breast Cancer Deadline 2020® and the central role of advocates. So NBCC has a new name—the NBCC Advocate Summit.
Ride To Wellness Program: Transportation Assistance to Breast Cancer Treatment
Penquis/The Lynx and CancerCare of Maine have joined forces to provide transportation services or mileage reimbursement for medical treatment of breast cancer. The Ride to Wellness Program is funded by the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with breast cancer, live in Penobscot or Piscataquis counties, and need help with transportation to medical treatment, The Ride to Wellness program can help. There is no income level requirement; you only need to be diagnosed with breast cancer to qualify. Covered transportation services include travel to: chemo, radiation, support groups, fitting for a prosthetic, lymphedema massage, psycho/social services, exercise programs. For more information call The Lynx at 973-3695 or 1-866-853-5969. Maine Specialty License Plate Benefits Breast Cancer Services, Including the MBCC Support Service Fund
Do you have your Maine Breast Cancer Specialty license
plate yet? The proceeds from this specialty
plate help support breast cancer education, research, and patient support here in Maine.
The proceeds are split equally between three beneficiaries: the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition for our Support Service Fund; the Maine Cancer Foundation for their Women's Cancer Research Fund; Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program for their mammogram fund. The plates are available from BMV branch offices and most town
offices. For more information go to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Specialty Plate page at http://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/registration/bcplate.htm or call the Registration Unit at
207-624-9000, Extension 52149. 2011 Maine Breast Health Leadership Awards Presented at Blaine House
Professionals and Volunteers Honored for Dedication and Commitment
September 30, 2011 press release by American Cancer Society AUGUSTA, ME – In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Maine Breast Health Leadership Awards were presented at the 14th annual Silver Tea hosted by First Lady Ann LePage at the Blaine House in Augusta on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.
This year’s
recipient in the Professional category is Donna Green, Clinical Manager
of Outpatient Oncology for Maine Medical Center’s Cancer Institute. The
recipient of the volunteer award is PATCO Construction of Sanford. Each
winner is recognized for their leadership in advocating for the breast
cancer needs of Maine women.
Throughout her 25 years as a nurse at Maine Medical Center (MMC), Donna Green, a resident of Pownal, has demonstrated her commitment to patients and families with cancer. Under Donna’s leadership, the Breast Cancer Center has evolved to insure patients are cared for physically and emotionally before diagnosis, during treatment, and into survivorship. She actively advocates for patient needs and is always seeking ways to assist patients with their day-to-day necessities. She is constantly seeking grants to help patients with financial assistance; and works tirelessly to find creative solutions when a patient lacks resources for basic needs or access to care is being compromised. “Donna’s service to women facing breast cancer has made a difference to all women she touches,” says Heather Ciccarelli, American Cancer Society Patient Navigator at Maine Medical Center. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not inspired by Donna’s strength, drive, and passion.” 
PATCO Construction
of Sanford is a 26-year-old, family owned construction business.
Because so many families – including those of PATCO employees – have
been touched by breast cancer, PATCO co-owner’s Mark and Greg Patterson
chose to help provide financial support to the Maine Breast Cancer
Coalition’s (MBCC) Support Service Fund.
PATCO’s efforts over the past four years to raise awareness about
breast cancer and to help those in need are an extraordinary example of
how businesses can be actively involved in charitable work and social
change. (shown in photo L to R: Mark
Patterson, First Lady Ann LePage, and Mark Medford)
Since 2008, with the help of designer/art director Mark Medford, they have raised more than $20,000 for the Support Service Fund through a variety of innovative fundraisers including the Pink Key Project in 2008; the R.O.S.E (Remember One Self Exam) in 2009; Kitchens That Care in collaboration with Lavalley Lumber (now New England Building Materials) in 2010; and in 2011, the soon to be launched PINK ALBUM, a two CD collection of over two dozen of Maine’s most talented female performers. According to Christine Haiss, volunteer chairperson for MBCC’s Support Service Fund grants, “This year’s PINK ALBUM project is unique and bold, and underscores the passionate dedication that PATCO has for helping people facing breast cancer.” The Maine Leadership Award for Breast Health, created in 1998, is a collaborative effort of the American Cancer Society, the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, the Maine Cancer Foundation, the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition, Maine Breast Nurse Network, and the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Leadership Awards are presented annually during the month of October to
recognize Maine residents who have made exceptional contributions to
promoting breast health, improving understanding of breast cancer,
and/or working toward the elimination of the disease at the national,
state, or local level. Nominations are accepted year round and nomination forms can be found at www.cancer.org/blainehousetea.
Valley of Courage: Reflections by Breast Cancer Survivors and their Families
In May, 2007, Fish River Rural Health (FRRH) in Eagle Lake, Maine started a breast cancer support group called “The Journey.” The idea for a book began at that first meeting after the participants heard many inspiring, heartfelt stories about courage by survivors and their families. Nearly three years later, the idea became a reality with the publication of Valley of Courage: Reflections by Breast Cancer Survivors and their Families.
Those who contributed to the book hope the stories will inspire and provide guidance for others journeying through breast cancer and their families. The powerful stories send messages of faith, hope, strength, courage and the importance of community, family and friends. The book allows readers an opportunity to connect through the stories with courageous individuals who live in the St. John Valley or have connections to the Valley. Some voices from the book… Betty Dumond reflects on her journey, stating, “I know that life isn’t easy and sometimes you have to give up what you love the most, but I wouldn’t trade my journey.” Carolyn Gardner remembers thinking of her family and shared, “Going through my cancer treatments, I would often think it is just as hard for the family of the patient with cancer as it is for the patients themselves.” The book’s most senior survivor, Mabel Guimond, 102 years old, as written by her daughter Mary Daigle, states, “On peut pas passer la vie sans rien.” ("We cannot pass life without hardships or challenges.") Dorothy Hopkins, chief editor of the book says, “Each voice is unique, but common threads tie the stories together, reflecting the special qualities of the St. John Valley and its people.” Proceeds from book sales go directly to FRRH’s Breast Cancer Support Group “The Journey.” Ordering information: To order a copy, please contact Sue Bouchard of Fish River Rural Health at sbouchard@frrh.org or 207-444-5973. Books ordered through the FRRH are at a discounted price of only $10 per copy plus shipping. (For Eagle Lake area residents, there are no shipping costs if arrangements can be made for pickup.) The book may also be ordered through Amazon at $14.95 plus shipping.
One Million Women :: One Research Goal :: One Revolutionary Opportunity
It's been three years since
the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation and the Avon Foundation launched the Love/Avon Army of Women, a
groundbreaking initiative that partners women with breast cancer
researchers to find the key to what causes breast cancer and take science
beyond a cure to prevention.
Women have taken personal action to raise millions of dollars by walking, running, and donating to the fight against breast cancer. These dollars have helped advance breast cancer treatment and move us closer to a cure. But there is still no prevention. Now the Love/Avon Army of Women offers a singular new opportunity -- a simple but revolutionary call to action for one million healthy women of all ages and ethnicities to join the “Army” and be available to take part in the research that will help scientists understand the causes of breast cancer—and how to end it once and for all. The unique impact of the Love/Avon Army of Women is that it serves as an online resource providing researchers much-needed and unprecedented, timely access to healthy women -- a critical component to prevention research. At the same time, the program offers women the opportunity to play a significant, direct role in helping eradicate breast cancer. Virtually all women not currently undergoing breast cancer treatment, including healthy women, breast cancer survivors, and women who are high risk for developing breast cancer, can enroll in the Love/Avon Army of Women online at www.armyofwomen.org, providing basic information and indicating their willingness to consider participation in future research studies. Click here to download an Army of Women brochure. New Website for Cancer Resources Launched
The
MaineHealth Learning Resource Center in Scarborough has a great new website for anyone
affected by cancer, including breast cancer: http://mainehealthcancer.org/Pages/default.aspx
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