Cancer group seeks volunteers for panel

BANGOR – The American Cancer Society is seeking people to join a local advisory committee, the Community Action Team, to help identify needs, priorities and programs to help with cancer prevention, detection and support for Penobscot County residents.

Area cancer survivors, their family members or friends, and health professionals who would like to learn more about serving on the action team are invited to attend an informational meeting 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, in the Cancer Care of Maine conference room at Eastern Maine Medical Center.

Social worker Nadine Bullion will update the group on the latest plans and accomplishments of the Maine Consortium for Comprehensive Cancer Control.

“Last year in Maine,” said Donna Koncinsky, American Cancer Society’s community executive for cancer control, “approximately 7,000 individuals received a cancer diagnosis and nearly 3,000 people died of the disease. The purpose of the action team is to establish the society’s cancer control priorities for Penobscot County and to identify programs and resources available to meet the needs of area cancer patients.”

To learn more about the Community Action Team or to make suggestions for key initiatives and goals that should be discussed as part of the agenda, call Donna Koncinsky at 862-4920, or e-mail donna.koncinsky@cancer.org.