By Jennifer Buzza
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Some non-profit groups are often so busy putting all of their time and effort into the daily operation of their organization that they run out of time to express their gratitude. This is not the case with a local group of hard-working and highly dedicated people, as I witnessed firsthand. Many of you are familiar with the group Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery (C.A.N.C.E.R.). Maybe you have even been on the receiving end of their kindness and generosity. For those unfamiliar, this group began 12 years ago, devoted to easing the burden of those in our area living with cancer. For the past 10 years, the C.A.N.C.E.R. board has hosted an annual recognition dinner as a way to thank area volunteers for their generous contributions to the group. On Aug. 26, over 50 members of local communities gathered at the fellowship hall of the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church in Presque Isle to enjoy a wonderful meal and a time of getting to know others sharing their passion for the same cause. Following the dinner, some of the C.A.N.C.E.R. board members took turns thanking specific groups and individuals who have contributed in various ways. Sue Black discussed the outpouring of generosity of the faculty, staff, students and their families of the Mapleton Elementary School. The school, under the direction of Principal Dan Duprey, has actively supported the organization in recent months. In the spring, the school collected over 1,700 items for the canvas bags that are delivered to patients in treatment. These bags are filled with personal care items, puzzle books and hats, among other items. Black explained that through the donations from the school, the group has accumulated enough items to fill bags for a year (maybe longer)! She also mentioned the penny drive the school held before the end of the last school year. Over $700 was collected and the school was named a major sponsor of the C.A.N.C.E.R. golf tournament in June. In addition, Mapleton Elementary also sent two teams to participate!
Board member Louise Calabrese sang the praises of Mapleton Girl Scout Troop 1133, led by Nancy Winslow and myself. During the annual cookie sale, our troop collected donations of boxes of cookies to be placed in the canvas bags distributed by the C.A.N.C.E.R. organization. In March, four members of the board attended one of our troop meetings to collect a surprising 104 boxes of cookies! Calabrese remembers feeling overwhelmed by the support of the young girls and had “goose bumps” as she recalled that day. Board members created labels to place on each box so recipients would know the cookies came from a young group of Girl Scouts from Mapleton. She also thanked the Troop for attending Planet Head Day that was held in February. Calabrese was so pleased to see all of the girls in attendance participating and having their heads (donned with a bathing cap) painted for the cause.
Kathy Maynard, another board member, wanted to publicly thank her mother, Effie McPherson, for knitting hats that have been placed in the bags for area cancer patients. The C.A.N.C.E.R. board works closely with the clinics in Presque Isle and Caribou to ensure that as many patients as possible are reached.
Sue Nickerson thanked Bill Guerrette and Alexis Madore for their assistance planning and organizing the annual golf tournament, as well as Kevin McCartney of the University of Maine at Presque Isle for his support of Planet Head Day. Following their first Planet Head Day, the organization collected less than $500 toward the cause. However after this, their fourth year, donations rose to nearly $4,000!
Board member Mary McBride discussed the “Bread of Life” bags that are distributed. These bags include baked goods like cookies and loaves of bread that are assembled at McBride’s house and delivered on Tuesdays by five “teams.” Bags are delivered to area patients who are currently in treatment. Groups from Ashland, Caribou and Fort Fairfield also deliver similar bags. McBride commented on how she felt after seeing the “look on people’s faces” after receiving such a touching, generous gift. Addressing the group of volunteers, McBride said, “We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Volunteers that bake the items and deliver the bags were asked to stand to be recognized. Groups from Ashland, Caribou, Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle and Mapleton were all present. Following the applause, Nickerson described the amount of baked goods donated on a regular basis as “amazing.”
Travel funds are also distributed to area residents to assist with the burden of going downstate for treatment. Nickerson noted that some are hesitant to ask for help, “but when they make that call, you know they are desperate. We are so happy that we can help them out.”
Sue Black read a letter from Pastor Ron Chaffee of the Grant Memorial United Methodist Church. Black stated that Pastor Chaffee has taken an active role and is an “avid supporter” of C.A.N.C.E.R. (He also had his head shaved during Planet Head Day in memory of his mother-in-law and in honor of his own mother). In the letter he encouraged the group to continue its good work and, “Trust almighty God to do what is best.”
Calabrese shared with me that the purpose of the dinner is to “thank everyone and get them all on the same page” in regards to how other communities are working hard to support the group. She personally enjoys the annual dinner to meet other volunteers that she might not ever meet otherwise.
The group has an upcoming fund-raiser in conjunction with the Maine State Federation of Fire Fighters Convention this month. There will be a Debbie Myers concert Friday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds Grandstand. Myers has generously volunteered to donate the proceeds of her concert to the C.A.N.C.E.R. This is a benefit fund-raiser in memory of Edwin Nickerson. Tickets are available at Goin’ Postal in Presque Isle, at the Mapleton Town Office, by calling Craig Green at 762-6500 or Sue Nickerson at 764-6826. Adult tickets are $10. Children’s tickets are ONLY available at the door. Children ages 6-12 are $5 and children under 5 are free. Groups of 10 adults can purchase their tickets for $8 each. Tickets purchased are tax deductible.
For those that would like to contribute in other ways, please visit their website at www.c-a-n-c-e-r.com or by mailing your donations to C.A.N.C.E.R. at P.O. Box 811 Presque Isle, Maine 04769.
