Association of Maine Cancer Support Centers
A Statewide Effort To Collaborate And Mitigate The Effects Of COVID-19 On The Maine Cancer Community
March 20, 2020
The Association of Maine Cancer Support Centers is a network of organizations providing cancer-related supports, services and/or complementary therapies to patients, survivors, caregivers, and/or families. Since February of 2019, this network of 9 organizations across the State of Maine continue working authentically to collaborate and provide enhanced services and programs to Mainers impacted by cancer. The Association is seeking to expand the availability of these supports throughout the state in a collective manner.
As community-transmission of the COVID-19 virus heightens, the Association began to innovate the delivery of services while ensuring support, comfort, and community can still be offered safely. Individuals receiving cancer treatment often are immunocompromised, many of whom are older and are faced with 50-100 miles of travel for care. This population remains at high risk for becoming ill to the COVID-19 virus and the Association is calling on our communities to remain diligent in social-distancing and proper hygiene practices.
“With cancer patients being one of the populations most vulnerable to the current COVID-19 threat that we are facing in Maine and around the world, it is imperative that we work together to get through this. We at the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition are thankful to be a part of this collaborative that is working hard to keep the Maine cancer community connected - to resources and to one another.” Bethany Zell, Maine Breast Cancer Coalition
A special online meeting was held on March 19 and 20 to outline the efforts being taken by each member organization and how the Association collectively can adapt programming. Support groups/workshops are being moved to online and call-in platforms, meal delivery programs were developed to eliminate excess travel and exposure to the public, sharing of resources and video platforms were streamlined across members, and safety policies were shared and adopted within individual centers.
“The response to the COVID-19 virus has shifted every part of the Maine community. The Association’s trust, culture, and mission has never been more tested and put to work through these uncertain times. I’m proud we all can work as one to better serve the cancer community.” Matt Dexter, Christine B. Foundation, Association Leadership Team Member
This Association was born out of work related to Maine’s Impact Cancer Network which is funded and supported by Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF). MCF provides backbone support for the Association of Maine Cancer Support Centers.
If you, a family member, or someone in your community is challenged by the burdens of cancer and COVID-19, you are invited to contact any one of the Association of Maine Cancer Support Center members to learn more about available resources.
Serving you,
Members of the Association of Maine Cancer Support Center
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Dempsey Center (Lewiston/S. Portland)
(207) 795-8250
www.dempseycenter.org
Service Area: Statewide
Dean Snell Cancer Foundation (Brunswick)
www.deansnell.org
Service Area: New England Cancer Specialists, Topsham Patients
Maine Breast Cancer Coalition (Bangor)
(207) 945-0008
www.mainebreastcancer.org
Service Area: Statewide
Christine B. Foundation (Bangor)
(207) 517-0256
www.chrisbfund.org
Service Area: Pisc., Pen., Hancock, & Wash. County
Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center (Ellsworth)
(207) 664-0339
www.bethwrightcancercenter.org
Service Area: Hancock & Washington County
Sarah’s House of Maine (Holden)
(207) 989-1683
www.sarahshouseofmaine.org
Service Area: Primarily Pisc., Pen., Hancock, & Wash. County
Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine (Norway)
(207) 890-0329 (207) 255-3741
www.crcofwm.org
Service Area: Oxford, Cumberland, & Androscoggin County
Healthy Acadia (Calais/Machias)
www.healthyacadia.org
Service Area: Hancock & Washington County
Bangor Region YMCA, Caring Connections (Bangor)
(207)-941-2808
www.caringconnectionsmaine.org
Service Area: Central & Eastern Maine
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