2-1-1 Maine is a comprehensive statewide directory of over 8,000 health and human services available in Maine. The toll free 2-1-1 hotline connects callers to trained call specialists who can help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Finding the answers to health and human services questions and locating resources is as quick and easy as dialing 2-1-1 or visiting www.211maine.org.
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center: Ellsworth, Maine 207-664-0339 http://www.bethwrightcancercenter.org/
The
Beth C. Wright Cancer Center serves Hancock and Washington Counties,
where the incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates for cancer far
exceed both the state and national averages. The Beth C. Wright Center
is the place to go if you have been diagnosed with cancer. The Center's
mission is to "offer hope, knowledge, and support to cancer patients,
their families, caregivers and friends by providing a source of
information, social services and compassion through all stages of the
cancer journey." The services are free of charge.
For information, visit the Center's website, call 207-664-0339, or email the Center at info@bethwrightcancercenter.org.
CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation (not to be confused with CancerCare of Maine) is a non-profit organization that helps people being treated for cancer pay for the insurance co-payments on the prescription medicines they need. Breast cancer is one of the cancers covered by this program. To find out if you are eligible, call 1-866-55-copay (1-866-552-6729) or go to http://www.cancercopay.org.
Cancer Support Center of Maine: 207-469-6363 http://www.cancersupportcenterofmaine.org
The Cancer Support Center of Maine provides free services to cancer patients & survivors in Maine through outreach, education, advocacy, and social support. Their goal is to help people navigate the often complex and confusing bureaucracy of health management in a time of crisis with an emphasis on free or reduced cost programs.
CarePartners: 1-877-626-1684 www.mmc.org/mh_body.cfm?id=3441
Coordinates the provision of donated healthcare services for low-income, uninsured residents in four Maine counties (Cumberland, Lincoln, Waldo and Kennebec). The program, a partnership between MaineHealth, physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers, helps community members who don't qualify for public or private healthcare coverage programs get comprehensive, medically necessary healthcare.
Caring Connections Programs, Bangor: 941-2808 http://bangorymca.org/content/4029/Caring_Connections
1: Caring Connections offers breast cancer support groups, and no-cost breast and cervical screenings for women age 40-64 through the Maine Breast & Cervical Health Program.
2: Bridging the Gap is a grant-funded program of the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. It provides breast exams and imaging for qualifying women age 20-39 (20-29 with symptoms and 30 – 39 either with symptoms or a family history of breast cancer).
3: Bridging Books is a grant-funded program of the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Bridging Books, through the patient’s surgeon, provides a comprehensive book and other resource materials to women newly diagnosed with Breast Cancer. If you are recently diagnosed and would like additional reading/resource information regarding breast cancer, call Caring Connections and request a Bridging Books packet.
Cancer Support Center of Maine: 207-469-6363 http://www.cancersupportcenterofmaine.org
The Cancer Support Center of Maine provides free services to cancer patients & survivors in Maine through outreach, education, advocacy, and social support. Their goal is to help people navigate the often complex and confusing bureaucracy of health management in a time of crisis with an emphasis on free or reduced cost programs.
Cochrane Collaboration and the Cochrane Library
The
Cochrane Collaboration is an international not-for-profit organization,
providing up-to-date information about the effects of health care.
Systematic reviews are their main product and are published
electronically in successive issues of The Cochrane Library.
Although it requires a paid subscription to access the Cochrane
Library's extensive reviews and resources, free summaries of studies on
many health-related topics can be accessed at the site. To access free Cochrane Library summaries of breast cancer-related studies go to http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/topics/52_reviews.html.
Dr. Susan Love www.susanlovemd.com
Access information about breast cancer, including recent research, and women's health.
Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center: Bangor, 947-5337
Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center offers annual exams, breast health and menopause education, and support to all Maine women, especially those who are of limited income, lesbian and/or women with disabilities.
Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®: Additional resources may be available through programs funded by grants from the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Call 262-7117 or visit www.komenmaine.org/grants/current-grant-recipients/ for a list of current programs funded by the Komen Maine Affiliate.
Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program www.maine.gov/dhhs/bohdcfh/bcp/
The
Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program (MBCHP) is a state and
federally funded program which provides free screening for the early
detection of breast and cervical cancer. A woman is eligible for the
MBCHP if she is 40 or older*; has no health insurance, or health insurance that does not cover mammograms or Pap tests, or has high deductibles, and her income falls within the
MBCHP guidelines.
*(There are limited openings for women age 35-39 who have seen a doctor and need additional tests for a possible breast or
cervical cancer OR if they have not had a Pap in 5 or more years.) For more information, go to
the website listed above or call 1-800-350-5180, TTY:
1-800-438-5514.
MaineCare: 1-800-321-5557 Provides health insurance to people meeting income and asset restriction guidelines.
MaineHealth Learning Resource Center: Scarborough, Maine
Offers a helpful website for anyone affected by cancer: http://mainehealthcancer.org/Pages/default.aspx
MedAccess: 1-877-275-1787 Provides help with paying for prescription medications.
Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oes/resource/medicare.htm#
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older and under age 65 with certain disabilities.
National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) www.stopbreastcancer.org or www.knowbreastcancer.org (breast cancer resources link)
Since
NBCC's founding in 1991, it has changed the world of breast cancer: in
public policy, science, industry and advocacy by creating new
partnerships, collaborations, research funding opportunities and
avenues for access to quality care. The National Breast Cancer
Coalition's Quality Care Guide
is a free online guide for those diagnosed with breast cancer. For the
latest opinions by Fran Visco, president of NBCC, visit Fran's blog at the NBCC site. Click here for "Facts About Breast Cancer in the United States" from the National Breast Cancer Coalition. To read NBCC's "31 Myths and Truths About Breast Cancer" click here.
National Cancer Institute (includes the Cancer Information Service) www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
National Lymphedema Network www.lymphnet.org
Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation: 866-316-PANF (7263) http://www.PANFoundation.org
Provides co-payment assistance to underinsured patients with chronic
diseases, including breast cancer. Qualified patients will be granted up
to $7,500 per year to cover out-of-pocket expenses associated with
their treatment. Patients can apply for assistance online or by calling
the toll-free number.
Patient Advocate Foundation: 1-800-532-5274 or www.patientadvocate.org
A national non-profit organization that provides professional case
management services to Americans with chronic, life-threatening, and
debilitating illnesses. PAF case managers serve as active liaisons for
you and your insurers, employers, or creditors to resolve insurance, job
retention, and debt crisis matters as they relate to your diagnosis.
Penquis Women’s Health Services: 1-800-941-2836 Health clinics offer sliding scale fees for people who qualify.
Ride To Wellness Program: 973-3695 or 1-866-853-5969.
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with breast cancer, live in Penobscot or Piscataquis counties, and need help with transportation to medical treatment, The Ride to Wellness program can help. Transportation assistance to many services including chemo, radiation, support groups, fitting for a prosthetic,
lymphedema massage, psycho/social services, exercise programs, and more.
Lynx
has a core of 144 volunteer drivers who can pick up individuals at
their homes and bring them to treatment at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
The program also provides mileage reimbursement to
the patient or friends or family who transport.
Road to Recovery: free transportation to treatments (through American
Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345)
Sister Study www.sisterstudy.org
Click here
to learn more about the progress of this important study sponsored by the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The study has recruited
50,000 women, ages 35-74, whose sisters have had breast cancer.
Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure®: www.komenmaine.org
Susan G. Komen For the Cure® (National Website): www.komen.org
Washington Hancock Community Agency: (207) 664-2424
www.whcacap.org A community action agency
dedicated to fighting poverty and helping low-income people in Down East Maine.
They offer a wide range of services including heating assistance,
transportation, weatherization, and more.
Young Survival Coalition www.youngsurvival.org
An international, non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters dedicated to the concerns and issues that are unique to young women and breast cancer. Through action, advocacy and awareness, the YSC seeks to educate the medical, research, breast cancer and legislative communities, and to persuade them to address breast cancer in women 40 and under.
Travel and lodging
assistance for people in treatment:
Angel Flight Northeast: 1-800-549-9980 or www.angelflightne.org arranges free
flights to those requiring access to medical care.
Arbor
House: Located near Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Arbor House provides
lodging for patients and their families. For more information about the Arbor
House, call 207-795-2398.
Hope Lodge,
Boston, MA offers a free place to stay for patients who
travel to Boston for treatments (through American Cancer Society
1-800-227-2345) www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/HopeLodge/Boston/boston-about-our-facility
Ride To Wellness Program: 973-3695 or 1-866-853-5969.
If you or someone you know is diagnosed with breast cancer, live in Penobscot or Piscataquis counties, and need help with transportation to medical treatment, The Ride to Wellness program can help. Transportation assistance to many services including chemo, radiation, support groups, fitting for a prosthetic,
lymphedema massage, psycho/social services, exercise programs, and more.
Lynx
has a core of 144 volunteer drivers who can pick up individuals at
their homes and bring them to treatment at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
The program also provides mileage reimbursement to
the patient or friends or family who transport.
Road to Recovery: free transportation to treatments (through American
Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345)
