by Jennifer Manzi MacLeod, Outreach Coordinator at the Cancer Community Center

Shortly after the Cancer Community Center opened back in 1998, the Maine Buddy Program™ was created (not to be confused with the Buddy to Buddy Program, which is a reminder for women to do monthly self breast exams). We recognize that support groups may not be for everyone and that support through the cancer journey can be achieved in other ways. That’s why the Maine Buddy Program was created.

The Maine Buddy Program connects you with someone in Maine who has had the same type of cancer and/or treatment, a similar cancer experience or loss of a loved one to cancer.  You can be matched with someone using a wide variety of criteria such as type and stage of cancer, same type of treatment, age and life situation (single, married, male, female, children, career, etc.) or bereavement experience regardless of where you live in Maine.

Here’s what a Maine Buddy is:

  • Someone to talk to on the phone or by e-mail
  • A support person for your cancer journey or grief process
  • A sounding board to help you talk through treatment options or other decisions
  • A peer partner to share experiences, provide encouragement, and find hope

Simply, a Maine Buddy is someone who can use their unique perspective of “having been there” to understand what you are going through.

To request a Buddy, all you have to do is call us and say you want to be matched with a Maine Buddy. There is a short in-take process over the phone so we know how you would like to be matched and within a day or two you could be talking to someone who has “walked in your shoes.”

We have over 100 volunteer Buddies who have completed a specialized training to help allay people’s fears, help someone talk through his/her concerns, discuss available resources and, perhaps most importantly, provide support and reassurance. People dealing with cancer often appreciate being able to speak with someone who knows what it is really like to experience cancer.

An old Chinese proverb says, “To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.”  If you need a Buddy or you would like to become a Buddy to someone else, please contact Jani Darak-Druck, CCC Manager of Volunteer Services at (207) 774-2200 or email jani@CancerCommunityCenter.org.