Five years after receiving a bone marrow transplant to cure acute myelogenous leukemia, Kevin B. Simmons, owner of the Caribou and Presque Isle Inn and Convention Centers, remains cancer free. Simmons said it has been a very long journey since his December 2008 transplant.
“I was told prior to transplant that I needed to accept I could possibly suffer additional ailments for the rest of my life,” he said.
Sometimes the cure can seem worse than the disease, but as in this case, bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients often don’t have a choice. “Although I have had many setbacks and continue taking high doses of immuno-suppression drugs and receive weekly treatments in Boston to help control GVHD – graft versus host disease, I am feeling fine,” Simmons said. On his recent fifth year doctor’s appointment, his transplant team told him they feel that he is doing well and the GVHD seems to be finally burning itself out — a very positive thing.
“During the past five years, I have been spending time running my businesses here in The County and helping support other BMT patients at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Many of the patients have been neighbors here in Aroostook, which has been nice to be able to give back.”
Simmons, his staff, family and friends have been huge advocates in the fight against cancer. Since his diagnosis over seven years ago they have raised thousands of dollars for the cancer cause. Simmons and his company have always supported and given generously to the many local organizations in The County.
“After going through such a life-threatening disease, things in your life change; your outlook changes, you’re thankful for so much, you want to give back,” Simmons said.
Simmons has an ambitious idea to pay it forward for the tremendous support he has received. In fact, he hopes to turn his vision into reality in the near future.
“I want to give back; give back to the community that has supported me. My legacy is to develop a Cancer Community Center in central Aroostook — a center that would be modeled after the very successful community center opened in Portland in 1998. The center provides free programs, support and information, group events, fundraising and much more. But in order to be successful in such a small community as ours, we need local support. I have been working with our local non-profit organization, C-A-N-C-E-R, which was developed over 15 years ago, and this will help support the mission,” he said.
“I want to keep it local, supporting and helping our friends and neighbors in Aroostook County. With so many organizations out there, we must ask ourselves were does my donation go? With most of the national organization fundraising, money is collected locally and then the funds leave the area. In The County we have always needed to support ourselves and are known to be generous and giving, this makes us a target,” he said.
For example, Simmons cites information on the American Cancer Society (ACS) website that indicates much of the money raised locally does not result in facilities and assistance programs that are readily accessible to patients and their families in northern Maine.
“I support the efforts of the ACS, but unfortunately in our small community the funds just do not support us; I know, I am a cancer survivor. I will continue to sponsor the Survivors’ Lap of the Relay for Life, as that is giving back and supporting our local cancer survivors, however it is time to think outside the box and keep this wonderful giving spirit here in The County, where this money is raised,” Simmons said.
With this in mind, Simmons is hoping to direct funds raised locally to help with the development of a community cancer center and continue to support C-A-N-C-E-R, which provides services directly to local Aroostook County cancer patients and their families.
“Show your support in fighting cancer and give back to your neighbors and friends in need,” he said. For more information or to get involved in the community center project, contact Simmons at 1-800-533-3971.
