Although the award was presented some time ago at the annual meeting of the American Cancer Society-Maine Division, it was not until recently we learned that Dianne Swandal of Old Town received the organization’s prestigious Frederick G. Payne Memorial Award for 1996.

The award, named for the late Maine governor who was one of the society’s most enthusiastic volunteers, recognizes one volunteer each year for work that has a statewide impact in the fight against cancer.

Since 1991, Swandal has been director of St. Joseph Women’s Center in Bangor, focusing on breast cancer.

She received the award for helping develop programs to reduce breast cancer deaths through early detection; helping to educate physicians and other health care professionals about breast cancer; and helping improve services for those living with breast cancer.

“Dianne has been a real go-getter and really committed to women’s health,” commented Sister Mary Norberta, chief executive officer of St. Joseph Hospital. “She was a dynamic force in establishing the Women’s Center at St. Joseph, especially through her work with physicians.

“There was some real miscommunication about this in the beginning, and Dianne had to do a real selling job,” said Norberta. “But she hung in there with this thing and got it up and running.

“She’s been working very hard to increase women’s awareness about breast cancer, and it made me very happy that she was recognized for those efforts.”

Norberta praised Swandal’s work, “especially with people in the clinical field,” as well as her work with staff, patients and families.

“She has been a very good colleague for physicians to work with,” Norberta said.

Swandal admitted that “it’s an overwhelming feeling to be awarded something like this, because you really hope you have made a difference.

“I think that is what is most important to me, working with ACS; making a difference, touching people and, hopefully, maybe their lives are saved. The whole goal is to save lives and improve outcomes for those with breast cancer.

“The most important thing is finding things early,” she said, “and people have to know that, particularly, in breast health.”

While recognizing the importance of other aspects of her work “from pushing for research, and answers, and care for people who are dealing with it and coping with it,” Swandal said she considers early detection the key.

Although “you never want to find anything” during a breast exam, she said, she knows “it is wonderful” to find something early, especially when the patient is a young mother, “because when you find it early, there is hope.”

Norberta echoed those sentiments, but expanded upon them.

“We all have our mammograms, but when we do, we realize we haven’t been doing the self-exams,” she said, thinking about a friend who recently discovered a small lump. “We should know our own health.

“I think we’re just not used to it, and then we’re faced with the question of what to do if we do find something.”

Dianne Swandal knows what to do.

Call your doctor as soon as possible, and get an appointment for a complete exam.

Today, thanks to people such as Swandal and facilities such as the Women’s Center, doing what must be done is easier and less intimidating than ever before.

“The true sprirt of Christmas” decribes the actions of countless individuals who came to the aid of the Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers the weekend before Christmas, wrote Executive Director Sharon Abrams.

You will recall that toys and clothing from its Augusta office were stolen that weekend.

News reports throughout the state on the following Monday “helped create a happy outcome for what could have been a very sad Christmas for many, many needy families,” Abrams wrote.

It was through “the generosity of businesses, organizations, other charitable providers and individuals” that the organization was able to keep its commitment to those who needed help to make Christmas a little brighter.

Abrams thanks all who replaced gifts already brought and donated; those who gave cash donations, and donations to buy more clothing; those who offered replacement merchandise; and those who shopped, wrapped and delivered the replacement items.

“To everyone throughout the area who provided assistance to us in any way,” she wrote, “a most heartfelt and sincere thank-you.”

Martha Schwarz of Dover-Foxcroft has a suggestion for naming the new bridge over the Penobscot River linking Bangor and Brewer.

Her idea: “Twin City Bridge.”

The Standpipe, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.