PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Cancer patients in northern Maine received good news Thursday with the announcement of a $2 million gift from a philanthropic organization to The Aroostook Medical Center.
Half of the grant money from the Next Generation Foundation of Maine is designated toward construction of the Aroostook Cancer Care Center, which will include a new linear accelerator to provide patients with radiation treatment, new integrated software, an expanded chemotherapy infusion area, as well as an expanded palliative care program.
The Aroostook Cancer Care Center project is expected to cost $4,050,000, including construction, renovation, technology and equipment, and oncology treatment chairs, with about $2.1 million for the linear accelerator.
The other $1 million of the gift will establish an endowment for the Aroostook Cancer Care Patient Assistance Fund, which will provide direct support to assist patients with accessing treatment, including transportation and other costs associated with receiving care not otherwise covered by insurance.
“These funds will also support the work of [the center’s] Aroostook Cancer Care Nurse Navigator,” President and CEO Sylvia Getman said during a press conference at the health care facility. “The nurse navigator assists cancer patients with appointments, prescription validation, insurance confirmation, transportation, financial challenges, emotional support and counseling, coordinating family overnight accommodations, confirming referrals and more.”
Getman said the Next Generation Foundation grant is the “most significant charitable donation” the center has received in its 103-year history.
“How fitting that their name is the Next Generation Foundation because with that gift, they’re going to ensure that the next generation of patients are going to continue to be able to get the kind of care that they need here in Aroostook County,” Getman said.
The gift was announced in the new cancer treatment atrium that is still under construction and is expected to be completed in June. The chemotherapy infusion space will be part of a renovated and expanded Aroostook Cancer Care Center at the center’s A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Arjun Sood, lead oncologist at Aroostook Cancer Care, said the atrium is being created with “patient comfort in mind.”
“Chemotherapy patients spend long hours in chairs,” he said. “We know that healing is a mind-body relationship, and this more comfortable space should help our patients have more pleasant sensations and hopefully have them achieve better outcomes.”
Randy Bacon, director of ancillary services, said for more than 40 years the center has been the only source of radiation therapy in northern Maine.
“For the last 12 years, we’ve operated the only linear accelerator without which cancer patients in need of radiation therapy would be required to travel to Bangor for daily treatments — treatments that can last up to eight weeks,” he said. “While our current equipment has served us well, it is nearing the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced. Over the next few months, [the center] will be installing a new, state-of-the-art system.”
Robert Umphrey, vice chair of the EMHS Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works with Aroostook Medical Center and other EMHS member organizations, community members, businesses, foundations and employees to raise private funds to support the mission of providing excellent health care in Maine, spoke to the significance of this gift and all contributions that help advance patient care and comfort.
“I want to join in the chorus of voices expressing gratitude to the trustees of the Next Generation Foundation for their support toward the efforts that you see around you today and for the support that patients of Aroostook Cancer Care will receive through this amazing generosity,” he said. “A project such as this would not be possible without the support of the Aroostook County community and others — as is witnessed today.”
Though representatives from the Next Generation Foundation have been in regular communication with Aroostook Medical Center officials, they wished to remain anonymous.
The Next Generation Foundation was established in 2000. Its mission is to improve health, education, and societal support for the most vulnerable populations of Maine. Specific interest areas include children, elderly and the displaced, basic human needs, education and programs that enhance human health, social equality or Maine’s economy and workforce.
One of Aroostook Cancer Care’s patients spoke at the announcement event. Betty Dumond of Portage shared her story with those gathered, which included multiple diagnoses and treatment over the years for stage four breast cancer, lung cancer, a brain tumor and thyroid cancer. Dumond spoke about her challenges and how receiving services close to home made a significant difference in her recovery.
“I am here today because of the love and support of my family, and the wonderful care provided by my other family here at Aroostook Cancer Care. We are all so very fortunate to have this level of care close to home,” she said. “I don’t know how I would have been able to manage my treatments had this service not been here. I needed my family and friends nearby to support me. That support network was here in The County — and I am thankful every day that I was able to receive my care right here. It made all the difference.”
The 14-year cancer survivor expressed her appreciation to the donors for the major gift.
“I want to thank the trustees of the Next Generation Foundation. Your support will help hundreds and thousands of future County residents who hear the three dreaded words, ‘You have cancer,’” Dumond said. “Your generosity will help ensure there are no barriers to receiving the best possible care right here at home.” .