PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Cancer patients across Aroostook County will receive financial assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic after the Falmouth-based Maine Cancer Foundation gave $10,000 in grants to organizations based in Presque Isle and Caribou.
Brian’s Ride Cancer Fund in Caribou and Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital in Presque Isle each received $5,000 grants, Main Cancer Foundation Director of Operations and Finance Kelly Martin said Wednesday.
As COVID-19 continues to disrupt Maine’s economy, the grants will help cancer patients pay for their medical bills, along with necessities such as transportation, food, housing and utilities. Cancer treatment can bring many new costs — medical and otherwise — and the funds will assist an at-risk population during an economically precarious time.
The Maine Cancer Foundation has given 13 organizations a total of $163,000 in assistance since May. Brian’s Ride and Northern Light A.R. Gould had each received $5,000 in the Foundation’s first round of grants.
Martin — who grew up in Houlton and now lives in the Portland area — said she hopes the grants help County residents as they navigate the economic difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The intent was certainly immediate relief,” Martin said. “COVID-19 was this monster that came out of nowhere, and we were hearing more and more that individuals were being challenged in ways greater than they already were.”
At least 40 people across Aroostook County have or will receive assistance because of funds from the Foundation, Kaitlyn Umphrey of Wade, board secretary of Brian’s Ride, said. The funds will help cancer patients receiving primary care at Cary Medical Center and Pines Health Services, both in Caribou.
“[The funds go toward] basically anything that’s not covered by insurance,” Umphrey said.
Many cancer patients in Aroostook County seek out more specialized care in downstate metro areas such as Portland and Bangor. Yet, long trips can be expensive: Umphrey said one woman had only been able to afford the costs necessary to travel to Bangor for treatment because of help from Brian’s Ride.
Brian’s Ride was begun in August 2015 by Pamela Caldwell in memory of her brother, Brian, who was unexpectedly diagnosed with advanced-stage gastric cancer. Brian Caldwell, who Umphrey said did not have health insurance when he was diagnosed, died of the illness in 2014.
Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital will use the funds to distribute grocery gift cards to patients receiving cancer treatment at the hospital, Northern Light Cancer Care Manager Brenda Baker said Wednesday. It will also help with patients’ fuel costs during the winter months.
“We are very excited to have received this additional assistance for our patients for needs that were previously unmet,” Baker said.
Other organizations received Maine Cancer Foundation grants in May and November, including those in Augusta, Bangor, Biddeford, Brunswick, Brunswick, Ellsworth, Machias, Norway, Rockport, Sanford and Scarborough.
