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Overview

Often when a loved one is lost to cancer, family members feel compelled to act. This is the heart of the Maine Cancer Foundation. The Foundation was established in 1976 by a small group of Maine citizens, principal among them Harmon Hugo, who, finding no organization in Maine with a commitment to keep 100% of funds raised in Maine, founded a new non-profit to do just that. Soon after, the family of Maurice Sandler, who had created a Foundation is his name, chose to merge their Foundation with this new organization, Maine Cancer Research and Education Foundation.

"My grandfather would be thrilled to know how this once fledgling organization has grown and what it means to the people of Maine," said David George, his grandson. "My grandmother died of breast cancer and this was his way to make a difference." Mr. Hugo, who died in 2001 at age 86, was born in Portland and graduated from Portland High School. He was the general manager of his family business, Portland Copper and Tank Works which grew to employ over 1,000 people. He was active in the Kora Shrine Temple and the Cornerstone Lodge of Masons and at one time was president of the Board of the American Heart Association and Goodwill Industries. He enjoyed golf, traveling, fishing and boating and spending time at his vacation home on Sebago Lake.

"Our dad believed in education," said Maurice Sandler’s sons Mike and Jerry. "When diagnosed with colon cancer in 1974 he turned his challenge into an opportunity for others to learn from his experiences. By joining forces with Harmon Hugo, the opportunity to benefit others became a reality." Their ability to make a difference was enhanced by their relationship with Ron Carroll, M.D., a Portland area oncologist who was one of the first board members and later served as Board president. In 1935 Mr. Sandler created United Auto Parts Company which merged with Marsan Industries which was founded by his son Michael. Marsan Industries was sold to ITT Corporation in 1971.Maurice Sandler died in 1978 at age 69 and his wife Dorothy passed away twenty years later. Today his son Michael of Boston is a successful entrepreneur in business and education while Jerry is a highly regarded hematologist based in Washington D.C.

Originally known as the Maine Cancer Research and Education Foundation, the name evolved into the Maine Cancer Foundation in 2001. At its founding, it was stipulated that all funds raised would stay in Maine to benefit Maine people.

• A grant making organization, the mission of the Maine Cancer Foundation is to improve the health and well-being of Maine people by funding cancer research, education and patient support programs.
• In addition, the Foundation will meet needs unique to Maine with targeted programs and initiatives.

Maine Cancer Foundation publicly solicits and distributes funds to a variety of cancer research and education programs. 80% of available funds are dedicated to cancer research and 20% to education and patient support programs.

Maine Cancer Foundation has grown considerably since the early 1990's. In 2002, for instance, funds awarded to grant proposals were more than the funds awarded in the entire ten-year period 1980 through 1990.

The Human Genome Project and other molecular biological advances of the late 1990's created an opportunity for the Foundation to translate these discoveries into meaningful benefits for the people of Maine.

Maine Cancer Foundation maintains that the optimal use of its resources is in evidence based programs and scientific research.

Financial Data

Year End: June 30, 2009
Grants Awarded: $450,000

Maine Cancer Foundation

P.O. Box 553
Portland, ME 04112
Phone (207) 773-2533
Fax (207) 773-2386
Email info@mainecancer.org