In the News
Maine Cancer Foundation Awards Grants for 2007
(Portland, Maine - July 5, 2007). On June 30, the Maine Cancer Foundation awarded research grants totaling $366,000. During the year an additional $67,000 in grants for education and Patient Support were awarded. Efforts to advance cancer research, education and patient support are underway due to the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations that supported the charity's fundraising efforts this year.
Maine Medical Center Research Institute received funded for two investigations, Twist Dimers as Markers of Tumor Metastasis and Sprouty4 as a possible Repressor of Id Protein Function in Breast Cancer. At University of Southern Maine, the N-Terminal Osteopontin Fragment as a Novel Breast Cancer Marker will be explored. At the Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health two awards were made. Researchers there will investigate Array-based Comparative Genomic Hybridization of Circulating Tumor Cells, and RECQL4 Protein-Protein Interactions in Human Osteosarcoma Cell Lines.
Education and Patient Support grants were awarded to Eastern Maine Health Systems, Bangor, to implement a cancer survivor program, Mercy Hospital, Portland, to address the needs of cancer survivors, Cancer Community Center, South Portland, for its patient & family support programs, Maine Breast Cancer Coalition for the Support Service Fund, Camp Sunshine, Casco, for a family campership, SMCC, South Portland, for Radiation Therapy students to receive advanced training, Cancer Care Center of York County, Sanford, for a nutrition program, MCCM, Scarborough to develop a toolkit for families with the hereditary form of colorectal cancer, Two Roads Maine, Freeport to provide scholarship for breast cancer survivors, Breast Cancer Diaries, Kennebunk, to air the documentary film in three Maine communities at no charge, MidMaine General Hospital, Waterville, for a nutrition intervention program, Vital Pathways, Houlton, for a community wide skin cancer education and awareness program and the F. Holland Day Center, Georgetown to provide scholarship.
The Foundation continues to underwrite Discovery Weekend, provide “Portraits of Courage” books to cancer patients, particularly those newly diagnosed, at no charge, and present an annual professional education symposium. In addition, MCF partnered with the American Cancer Society and the Maine Centers for Disease Control to award colon cancer mini-grants to 3 Healthy Maine Partnership programs: Greater Waterville, Downeast Maine and Piscataquis County.
Maine Woman's Journal - January 2006
See us in Maine Woman's Journal! They have printed a wonderful article highlighting our bracelets!www.mainewomensjournal.com We're on Page 5!
Maine Cancer Foundation Sells Cancer Bracelets Online
(Portland - 16 September 2005) - The Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) - a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well being of Maine people - has begun selling brightly colored pink and orange silicone bracelets online. The pink bracelet says "Cure Breast Cancer for ME" with an embossed outline of the State of Maine.The orange bracelet says "Cure Cancer for ME." Both bracelets also carry the MCF website address.
All money raised by the sale of the bracelets will stay in Maine and go towards scientific research, professional and public education and patient support programs. All monies from the pink bracelet will go to the Maine Women's Cancer Fund at MCF and proceeds from the orange bracelet will go to the general MCF Fund. The goal is to raise over $10,000.
Susan Rowan, Executive Director of Maine Cancer Foundation, says: "Almost everyone today knows someone who has been touched by cancer.These bracelets are a great way to show support for the battle against cancer while doing something positive - helping to fund cancer research and programs and sharing them with others to increase awareness. Over time, the money raised should impact significantly in the fight against cancer and fund cancer research right here in Maine."
Bracelets will be sold in bundles of 10 for just $20. Individual bracelets will be sold at MCF events. Anyone wishing to buy bracelets can log on to www.mainecancer.org. For further Maine Cancer Foundation information, please call (207) 773-2533.
Maine Cancer Foundation Awards Grants for 2005
(Portland, Maine - 1 July 2005) - On the 30 June, The Maine Cancer Foundation awarded grants totaling over $340,000. Efforts to advance cancer research, education and patient support in Maine will soon be underway due to the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations who supported the public charity's fundraising efforts this year.
At Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, three projects received funding: Role of Endoglin in Prostate Cancer Metastasis, Regulation of Breast Cancer Cell Growth by Notch Signaling Pathway, and the Role of Twist Dimers in Mammary Tumor Metastasis.
At the Jackson Lab, Bar Harbor, scientists will explore Gene Expression for the Hormone-Independent Growth transition of Ovarian Cancer Cells in vivo, and Expression of Transposable Elements in Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, a Potential Early Marker.
Maine Medical Center in collaboration with Maine Center for Cancer Medicine received funding to support the tumor tissue bank.
In Ellsworth, the Maine Lymphedema Network received a grant to provide financial assistance for therapists attending Complete Decongestive Therapy training.
Goodall Hospital's award will enable the Hospital to create a lymphedema treatment program to provide education, treatment and support.
A family affected by cancer will attend Camp Sunshine in Casco with MCF support.
Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford and the Cancer Community Center, South Portland were given awards to help sustain cancer support groups for patients and their families. The Maine Breast Cancer Coalition was funded in order to service the unmet needs of breast cancer patients statewide.
An additional $75,000 was allocated to a variety of programs: "Portraits of Courage, Voices of Hope", a photo-essay book offering strength, hope and courage to cancer patients was printed and distributed free of charge throughout Maine. In collaboration with the American Cancer Society, mini-grants for colon cancer awareness and education were given to nine central and northern community hospitals in the hope of increasing screening rates. Training in clinical cancer genetics services was provided at 3 Maine hospitals.The public lecture, Cancer: Footprints in our Genes was presented in Lewiston and Discovery Weekend was held twice, in the spring and fall.