To the editor:
In 1998, seven individuals who had been longtime supporters and volunteers for the American Cancer Society (ACS) made a decision to begin working toward starting a new organization that would raise money that would remain in the local community. By 1999 our organization had been formed and we became C-A-N-C-E-R (Caring Area Neighbors for Cancer Education and Recovery). The decision to do this did not come lightly or without much heartfelt discussion.
After many years of running a local golf tournament for ACS, where the funds raised went toward their national fund-raising efforts, we were informed that the ACS would no longer allow our tournament to participate with the national tournaments. We were told by the ACS staff, we could go ahead and do the tournament and send them the funds but they could not support our prizes any longer. It was at this time we decided to continue our efforts, but we would do them under a new organization and keep the funds for local needs.
We met with The Katahdin Area Support Group in Millinocket and got some ideas about how they were structured and how they raised money to support their community. Having a template to guide us was wonderful and this was the true beginning of our group as it exists today.
In the past 12 years C-A-N-C-E-R has had the privilege to work with many giving volunteers and businesses that have reached into their pockets to support our cause. We have tried to be a piece of the safety net for many Aroostook County Neighbors who have been diagnosed with cancer. This generosity has allowed our organization to provide financial help in different forms to these individuals as they battle cancer. Without that support many of our neighbors, would not have been able to afford things such as: medicines, co-pays for services, gas for travel to treatments, food, airfare, bus fare, hotel charges and many other items that are sometimes specific to just one individual.
Beginning with only $500 to give away twelve years ago, the need has been growing steadily since. In this past year we gave nearly $16,000-plus just in travel expense help alone. This year the amount has tracked even higher through the first six months of 2012. Currently our fund-raising efforts have increased to help cover these demands and have also allowed us to build a small reserve for the ever increasing expenses of our neighbors who are in treatment. However, this is of concern to us as we are seeing many unmet needs and our resources are not substantial enough to take on those challenges. We have proven with our own success that a local approach can bring much needed services to the table and can stretch our local dollars. Because we kept our money local, more than $100,000-plus has gone back into the community to help local neighbors.
We need a new vision for the charity that exists in the area and repositioning of those gifts. We have proven with our own success that a local approach can bring much needed services to the table and can stretch our local dollars. Our C-A-N-C-E-R organization has been speaking with local individuals that want to turn a vision into reality; a new community-based Cancer Community Center.
A new local community organization and C-A-N-C-E-R can do many great things that a national organization cannot. The most important one being that when money is raised it can be directed to provide real day to day services that our local citizens desperately need, and deserve. After all, the money raised here should have a direct impact on local lives. We sincerely hope that the many wonderful volunteers that have given their precious time and energy to raise money for the many national cause can be courted to come together to make a change so that a new organization can be formed that will more directly meet the needs of the Aroostook County citizens.
We hope you will discuss this concept and lend your support for a new local organization that can take an active role in helping our friends and families as they battle cancer. We, the board of C-A-N-C-E-R, want to show our support in the endeavor.
Kevin Simmons
on behalf of C-A-N-C-E-R directors
Sue Nickerson
Alexis Madore
Craig Green
Bill Guerrette
Kathy Maynard
Louise Calabrese
Susan Black
Sue Levasseur
