BETH C. WRIGHT AND HER LEGACY
The Center's namesake, Beth Charczynski Wright, was born and grew up on Beals Island, Maine. After graduating magna cum laude from the University of Maine at Machias, she taught public school and then joined her husband Wayne in their family business. Beth was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 24. Following surgery and undergoing chemotherapy, Beth became determined to help others living with cancer and started a support group at the Down East Community Hospital in Machias. Shortly after the birth of their second son, Beth and Wayne learned her cancer had spread to her liver and bones. Beth faced cancer with strength and faith, and created the Choose Life Foundation at 28, shortly before her death in August 2000.
The Choose Life Foundation provided cancer patients with educational, inspirational services, alternate treatment information, and financial assistance. In May of 2001, five hundred people walked in the First Annual Beth C. Wright Walk for Life and raised $50,000 for the Choose Life Foundation.
In 2003, The Choose Life Foundation began making plans for a cancer resource center in Ellsworth. The Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center grew from their vision of providing education and support for cancer patients and their families by offering free programs in a warm and welcoming environment. In January 2004, the Choose Life Foundation made a $50,000 grant to help establish the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center.
BOARD OF Directors
Michael Reisman, Executive Director
Sorrento
Michael has been the Executive Director of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center since its inception in 2004. Previously he was the first Program Director for Island Connections (1997-2004), which provides free transportation for older citizens and people with disabilities. He began his service to the nonprofit world as the Program Director at the Mount Desert Island YMCA from 1979 to 1986 and as Executive Director from 1986 to 1994.
Donna Fricke, PhD, President
Hancock
Donna is a career educator, professor emerita from Maine Maritime Academy where she taught in the Arts and Science Department and administered the graduate program in Maritime Management and International Business. Donna has served on several state government task forces and was one of five directors of the Maine Port Authority. She has been a humanist scholar at the Maine Humanities Council since 1985. Donna is a cancer survivor.
William R. Horner, MD, Vice-President
Bar Harbor
Bill is a retired general surgeon, a partner in Northeast Surgery in Bangor, and past medical director of EMMC Breast and Osteoporosis Center. He practiced in Bangor for twenty years and was President of the Maine Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. His medical degree is from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.
Nancy B. Owen, Treasurer
Ellsworth
Nancy has worked at the Machias Savings Bank in Ellsworth for over nine years and has been in banking for more than twenty two. She has been on the Board for five years. Nancy lost her husband to melanoma cancer in January 2008. She credits the Beth C. Wright Resource Center for its support in time of family crisis and for its continuing help.
Tiffany Eaton, Secretary
Benjamin Carr, PhD
Hancock
Ben taught at the college level and then served as a high school principal for twenty one years at Narraguagus High School in Harrington and Noble High School in Berwick. He is active in the Union Congregational Church in Hancock and has trained with Hospice of Hancock County to be a bereavement support group leader. Ben was caregiver for his wife, Marilyn, who died of ovarian cancer. Ben is a prostate cancer survivor.
Molly Collins, MD
Lamoine
Molly is a general surgeon with a special interest in breast disease. She received her medical degree from Albany Medical College and completed her medical training at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. She began medical practice in Ellsworth and Blue Hill over fifteen years ago and serves on the staff of Blue Hill Memorial Hospital and Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. She is one of the founders of the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center.
Lenny DeMuro
Bar Harbor
Lenny is a career swimming and football coach who was inducted into the Maine Swimming Hall of Fame as a coach in 2004. He served as Executive Director of the Mount Desert Island YMCA for more than a decade and coached swimming for twenty seven years. He was also an MDI restaurateur for twenty years. He graduated with a degree in Sociology from Bowdoin College.
Domenic Efter
Franklin
Domenic is Vice President and Regional Branch Relationship Manager at Bar Harbor Bank and Trust in Ellsworth. In 2008 he received the CEO Leadership Award for outstanding store performance. He is a member of Rotary and also serves on the Boards of Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Faith in Action, and The Grand Theater.
Nancye Files
Blue Hill
Nancye is a biomedical marketing consultant with extensive industry experience in the research and diagnostic markets with leading edge technologies for cell identification and analysis in immunology, oncology, and genetics. Previously she worked in academic research immunology at Harvard Medical School, Rockefeller University, and the Swiss Cancer Research Institute. She received her degree in biology from the University of Pennsylvania.
Danel Bahr
Orrington
Dan has enjoyed a thirty nine year career in Emergency Medical Services and is the Business Administrator at County Ambulance Service in Ellsworth. He has a degree in Community Health Education and is an active volunteer for the American Cancer Society where he is Maine's only representative on the New England Division ACS Relay Task Force. Dan is a throat cancer survivor.
Meredith Friend
Ellsworth
Meredith has been a part of the Ellsworth community for over thirty years. While raising a family and establishing several businesses, she and her husband Cooper have always felt the importance of giving back to that community. After losing a sister to cancer, Meredith's energies have most recently been devoted to Hospice of Hancock County, Faith in Action, and the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center.
Patricia C. Jordan
Ellsworth
Pat is a former teacher and served for many years as Assistant Director of the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce. After three cancer experiences, Pat has been actively involved with the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Mary T. White
Surry
Mary has been a licensed mental health counselor with a private practice in Ellsworth for over fifteen years. With a background in hospice and bereavement, she came onto the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center Board as a founding member.
Rhonda Jordan
Mary Cline
Ellen Therrien
