The mission of the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition is “to educate and improve awareness of breast cancer,” said treasurer Carol Beagan of Old Town, during a recent telephone conversation.

And while MBCC was founded for that purpose, it now has “started a support service fund to help women who have breast cancer and don’t have insurance, or are underinsured with large deductibles,” Beagan said. “We’ve paid a lot of bills and travel expenses, for example, for women up north who have to travel for radiation.”

Five years ago, MBCC published its first Breast Cancer Resource Guide.

“The guide lists, by county, all the facilities and support services, hospitals, doctors, breast cancer centers, support groups” and other opportunities available to women with breast cancer, Beagan explained.

But now, she said, the guide needs to be updated.

“It’s really quite a big undertaking,” Beagan said of the work to include information, from every corner of Maine, to help women with breast cancer find services they need.

Beagan said everyone in the organization is taking part in the effort, from its president, Laurel Bezanson of Portland, on down.

“We’re scattered all over, but we’re getting it done,” Beagan said.

“If anyone knows of any new support groups, or any breast cancer types of services in Maine, or has other information about breast cancer or breast cancer issues they would like to have in the book, they should let us know,” she stressed.

“We are hoping to have it published by October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

MBCC raised its own money to publish the first guide but this year, “we sent out a small fund-raising letter, so we’re really relying on free help to get the guide published,” Beagan explained.

In fact, her son, Michael Beagan of Needham, Mass., is doing much of the work.

“He’s a graphic designer,” she said. “He’s building us a Web site, and he will also reorganize the book for us when we get the corrections and additions.

“But we’re sending out messages up to heaven” to find the money to publish the guide, “and we’re hoping to get a printer to give us a break,” Beagan said.

Anyone with information to be included in the latest edition of the Breast Cancer Resource Guide, or anyone wishing to make a donation to help finance the publication of this most helpful resource, may write Carol Beagan, 21 Pine St., Old Town 04468.

If that name and address looks familiar, it is because Beagan is the individual to whom donations can be sent in memory of 37-year-old Terry Cole of Hampden, who died of breast cancer earlier this month.

Terry’s mom, Edie Sawyer, is a Bangor Daily News colleague and, when I was extending our sympathy to Terry’s family in a recent column and explaining where donations could be sent, I had the incorrect spelling for Beagan’s last name.

I was pleased to learn, however, that a substantial number of donations in Terry’s memory have been sent to MBCC, in care of Beagan, for which we all thank you.

Bangor Museum and Center for History invites you to attend a luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at the home of BMCH president Beth Bohnet, 51 Grove St., Bangor.

In addition to learning more about BMCH (formerly Bangor Historical Society), the occasion also acknowledges members of The Quipus, a Bangor women’s club, for donation of their clothing collection that inspired the museum’s 2002 exhibit, “Ruffians, Ruffles, Parasols and Patriots: The Story of Bangor’s History through Costume.”

You will also meet the new BCMH executive director, Michelle Schmitter, and enjoy a light lunch in Bohnet’s garden.

There is no charge, and you are encouraged to wear a hat and win a prize in one of five categories: Most Amusing; Best Use of Flowers; Ethnic Style; Historical Character and Most Creative.

For more information, call BMCH at 942-5766 or Bohnet, 945-0039.

You are invited to meet the new music director and conductor of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra during a welcoming reception for Xiao-Lu Li from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, on the Children’s Terrace of the Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St.

If it rains, the reception will be in the library’s Story Room.

With Li will be his wife, Yang Yang, and daughters Christina and Jacqueline, who are making their first visit to Maine.

The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.

Subscriptions for the 2002-2003 season are available by calling the BSO at 942-5555, (800) 639-3221 or visiting www.bangorsymphony.com.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.