NBCR/Seacoast Cancer Coalition Unite to Boost Funding & Awareness Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Status Obtained
Newburyport - Two local cancer support organizations have joined forces merging mutual community fundraising and cancer support efforts for North of Boston communities. United as one 501(c)(3) private foundation officially named North of Boston Cancer Resource (NBCR), the former Seacoast Cancer Coalition (SCC) is now the active fundraising arm for NBCR whose mission is to enrich the well-being of people living with cancer and their loved ones by enhancing access to resources, education, and services that empower and support the whole person.
“Together, we have created a powerhouse more passionate and dedicated with double the spirit and drive to fight for and support our neighbors and friends impacted by this relentless disease,” said NBCR Steering Committee Member Carol Gamble.
“We are a community of givers and fighters, standing together against cancer,” said Laura Corcoran, former SCC Co-Chair. “Anna Jaques Cancer Center introduced us to NBCR, and after one meeting we declared our mutual love for each other’s mission and drive.”
“This is a huge win for our patients and their families,” said Anna Jaques Cancer Center Director, Laura Rossi, RN, MSN, OCN. “Combining volunteer efforts and locally raised funds will further increase awareness about the wide range of cancer support services, healing therapies and mind-body practices available to enhance the quality of life and survivorship of the North of Boston community as a whole.”
North of Boston Cancer Resource (NBCR), founded in Newburyport, MA, launched the first cancer-specific website to support North of Boston communities in June 2018. The comprehensive guide, www.nbcancerresource.org provides easier access to complementary support services, programs, groups and organizations to help people living with cancer survive and thrive through diagnosis, treatment and beyond. Medical research has shown that certain healing therapies and supportive programs combined with conventional cancer treatments improve patient outcomes, quality of life and survivorship.
The Seacoast Cancer Coalition (SCC) is a small group of dedicated volunteers committed to raising funds for the ongoing fight against cancer. Their mission is to drive local awareness and fundraising activities to support organizations conducting research for the cure and/or providing support and care resources to patients, survivors, and families. Originally named Relay for Life of Amesbury, the group was founded over 15 years ago and raised over $1M in that time for the American Cancer Society (ACS) as their benefactor. With ACA funding cuts to large relay events in 2018, SCC remained Amesbury-based and committed to raising ACA funds through smaller fundraising events and local donor relations. In 2018, they raised over $20K without an anchor event or ACA support staff through the continued generosity, spirit and drive of their local seacoast neighbors (particularly Newburyport, Salisbury, Seabrook and Merrimac).
NBCR is currently in the process of choosing a Board of Directors and determining how best to raise funds, increase awareness of the NBCR website, as well as seeking additional opportunities to expand its impact. Practitioners and programs interested in being included in the guide are encouraged to contact Dina Crawford at dinac@aol.com to begin the application process.
Donations to date include a $5,000 corporate donation from Montbleau & Associates, Inc. and a $1,500 foundation gift from the Swasey Foundation. Anna Jaques Cancer Center affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and The Comprehensive Breast Health Center at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center have each donated $5,000 toward the creation of NBCR.
