Shawnee Peak Enters Fourth Year Supporting Maine Childrens Cancer Program
Date: December 7, 2010
Author: Melissa Rock
Shawnee Peak Ski Area is dedicated to philanthropic giving in the State of Maine. For the 4th Year in a Row, Shawnee Peak has pledged $15 from every Kids' Season Pass PLUS 4% of all season pass sales to be donated to the Maine Children's Cancer Program, based in the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Since beginning the program in 2007, Shawnee Peak has given more than $37,000 to MCCP to help in its mission to treat Maine and New Hampshire kids stricken with this devastating disease.
"We hope to be able to provide another $10-12,000 to MCCP this year," said Chet Homer, owner of Shawnee Peak Ski Area.
In addition to the monetary donation, all current patients in the Cancer Program and their families will be given full, unrestricted season passes for the 2010-11 Shawnee Peak ski season.
“It’s truly overwhelming how wonderful and powerful the complimentary season passes are to our families,” said Liz Murray, social worker for Maine Children’s Cancer Program. “These are families whose entire lives may revolve around their sick children. Having family time on the snow was incredibly therapeutic and fun. They would not have had this opportunity had it not been for the ‘Kids Skiing for Kids’ Program with Shawnee Peak.”
"Our mission is to continue to provide an outlet for these kids and their families who are in the midst of overcoming one of life's biggest obstacles," said Homer. "We hope that we can, for just a little while, provide a mental 'vacation' to the entire family."
Shawnee Peak will also offer complimentary season passes to all social workers in the Maine Children's Cancer Program. Social workers focus on the mental and emotional health of the entire family. These free passes are meant to encourage social workers and families to have similar experiences, thereby opening the door to free and open dialogue.
The Maine Children's Cancer Program (MCCP), offers outpatient consultation and treatment of children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders. A staff of pediatric oncologists, nurses,social workers and research associates comprise the staff of MCCP. The program participates in the national Children's Oncology Group (COG) Clinical Trials, and employs an on-site research team that manages the program's participation in the trials. For more information on the Program, please visit mmc.org.
