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Our History of Support and Success

The Maine Cancer Foundation was established in 1976, the result of a small group of concerned citizens who had lost loved once to cancer and felt compelled to make a difference. When no organization was found with a mandate to dedicate 100% of its funds to the people of Maine, Maine Cancer Foundation was created.

1980'S - The Early Years

In the first decade, the Foundation received memorial gifts and other small donations. The Board of Directors met periodically to decide how to use the funds it had raised. Maine Cancer Foundation was the primary underwriter of "Discovery Weekend." This weekend retreat was created to fill a gap in the unmet needs of patients for emotional and spiritual support and continued for 27 years. The weekend retreats focused on integrating medicine, spirituality, and communication skills in the lives of people with cancer. Led by Dr. Jake Hannemann, a radiation oncologist, and his wife Jude, a dedicated volunteer staff of physicians, psychologists and social workers facilliated the weekend experience. Over the years, thousands of cancer patients, along with their husband/wife or other loved one, have benefited.

All cancers are diseases of unregulated genes. During the 1980's, science and the world of molecular biology underwent rapid development. Oncologists on the board of MCF were anxious that cancer patients in Maine would benefit from whatever scientific applications this science had to offer and made a commitment to play an active role in the professional education of physicians, nurses and others in the application of DNA based science.

1990'S – Opportunity

In the early 1990's Dr. Ronald Carroll, a medical oncologist at Maine Center for Cancer Medicine, who had been on the Foundation board since its inception, became its next President succeeding Roger Castonguay. Dr. Carroll felt the Foundation had a major role to play in the fight against cancer in the state. As a result of a successful proposal to the Davis Foundation, the first full time director was hired in 1992 and a small office was opened in Portland.

As assets grew, the Foundation created and presented a twelve-hour symposium on the fundamentals of DNA science as it applied to cancer. MCF pesented symposia at the University of Maine School of Law in an effort to increase awareness among lawyers and lawmakers of confidentiality issues as they relate to genetic information, to patient care, the law, and the potential for genetic based discrimination against patients. The same fundamental information was also presented to the public through Osher Life Long Learning at the University of Southern Maine.

During the 1990s the Foundation also began increasingly ambitious fundraising events. A Road Race was held for three years, 1995-98, followed by a Golf Tournament 1999- 2009. MCF joined the Community Health Charities of Maine to access workplace giving programs. Grant proposals were written for specific needs. Several significant bequests were received continuing the organizations growth.

2000’s - Growth

As 2000 began, Maine Cancer Foundation began increasing the level of fundraising to provide additional grants and fund more intensive research, supporting research throughout the state. It was determined that a larger potions of funds raised would be targeted to Maine research, helping to provide both a research cluster and economic development here in Maine.

Several new fundraising initiatives, among then the Pink Tulip Project and Tri for a Cure Triathlon have significantly increased the level of grants awarded for Maine based research. Several of these research grants and projects have been leveraged to gain additional national funding and are in the next stages of research trials.

A History of Success

Cancer is not winning. It is relentless. It develops 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The funding provided by Maine cancer Foundation has led to major research efforts, care, education and support of the many causes, effects and outcomes of the cancer diagnosis as well as prevention and diagnostic efforts.