About Us
Beth Wright Cancer Center Mission
We want 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.
Beth Wright Cancer Center Vision
Our shared vision is that
- We provide excellent education and support services, often in collaboration with partner organizations, for all stages of the cancer journey throughout every community in Washington and Hancock counties;
- Newly diagnosed cancer patients, their families, and caregivers learn about our Center from numerous informed sources;
- We keep our services current via ongoing assessment of community needs;
- We have a well-organized and dedicated cadre of volunteers who skillfully carry out the Center’s mission and are accountable to and overseen by a Volunteer Coordinator;
- The Center is financially healthy through the aggressive pursuit of endowments and grants, and by development of a multi-faceted fundraising strategy;
- An energetic and visionary board of directors brings experience and dedication to advise, govern and oversee the operation of the Center.
Board of Trustees
Daniel Bahr, President (Orrington)
Dan has enjoyed a 39 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.
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 20 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 9 years and has been in banking for over 22 years. She has been on the Board for 5 years. Nancy lost her husband to Melanoma Cancer in January 2008. She credits the center for its support in time of family crisis and for its continuing help.
Laurie Breidt, RN, Secretary (Bucksport)
Laurie has been a registered nurse for 18 years in both In Patient and Out Patient. She specialized in oncology and homecare for 13 years. Currently, she is Allied Health Instructor at Beal College in Bangor.
Benjamin Carr (Hancock)
Ben taught at the college level and then served as a high school principal for twenty-one years including stints 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 and is a prostate cancer survivor himself.
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 15 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 was Executive Director of the Mount Desert Island YMCA for 14 years and YMCA swim coach for 27 years. He was also an MDI restaurateur for 20 years. He graduated with a degree in sociology from Bowdoin College.
Domenic Efter (Franklin)
Domenic is Vice President and Store Manager at TD Bank N.A. 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)
Nancy 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.
Donna Fricke (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 5 Directors of the Maine Port Authority. She has been a humanist scholar at the Maine Humanities Council since 1985. Donna is a cancer survivor.
Meredith Friend (Ellsworth)
Meredith has been a part of the Ellsworth community for over 30 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 her energies have most recently been devoted to Hospice of Hancock County, Faith in Action, and the Beth Wright Cancer Resource Center.
Patricia C. Jordan (Ellsworth)
Pat is a former teacher and was for many years Assistant Director of the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce. After three cancer experiences, Pat has been actively involved with the Beth Wright Center and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Daune T. Lord (Blue Hill)
Daune has been a nurse for over 32 years. She has worked in Blue Hill for 21 years in the OutReach Oncology Department and now works at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth. She has been involved with the American Cancer Society and has been on the board at BWCC for 3 years. She has been Society Aid to children, Ronald Macdonald House and local groups.
Michael Reisman, Executive Director (Hulls Cove)
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 non-profit world as the Program Director at the Mount Desert Island YMCA (1979-1986) and Executive Director (1986-1994).
Mary T. White (Surry)
Mary has been a licensed mental health counselor with a private practice in Ellsworth for over 15 years. With a background in hospice and bereavement, she came onto the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center Board as a founding member.