NORWAY — The Board of the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine has cancelled the 2021 Turkey Trot 4 Hope 4K Run/Walk, its annual signature fundraiser, because of the volatility of the recent COVID-19 variant surge and precautionary measures needed to keep cancer patients, adults and children safe.

“Funds raised from this signature event are critical to our mission of providing programs, resources, and support to cancer patients in western Maine,” said Judy Stone, board president, according to a news release from the center. “Last year, this event raised nearly $20,000 to help cancer patients in Oxford county and its surrounding towns. Cancelling this event was necessary, however this lack of income will place a significant impact on our budget. We can’t depend solely on grant funding to stay open.”

The center has expanded services and programs from its initial beginnings as a place where patients and caregivers could drop in to chat with a volunteer, get information from the lending library, participate in creative art projects or obtain comfort items and wigs.

“Because of grant funding, we now have a part-time, on-site, oncology social worker who meets with patients and families to identify and solve any barriers they face,” said Diane Madden, executive director of the CRCofWM. “So far in 2021, we have assisted over 100 cancer patients and caregivers from all over western Maine. Because of generous grant funding from the Maine Cancer Foundation over the past two years, we have been able to provide gas cards and Hannaford food cards to help patients get to their cancer treatments in Portland, Lewiston and Boston, and so they can afford healthy foods and vegetables to supplement the essential foods they receive at local food pantries. We have also been able to offer emergency financial assistance for specific needs as well as free weekly virtual and in-person wellness programs, support groups, and complementary therapies.”

Gene Benner, center board member and chair of the Turkey Trot 4 Hope, said he is hopeful that local communities will still make a donation to the center to help them get through this tough year.

“We have sent letters and donation envelopes to former sponsors and participants from past Turkey Trot 4 Hope to share how the center has been supporting cancer patients and families in western Maine and how their continued support at this difficult time is crucial,” he said.

Tax deductible donations to the Cancer Resource Center can be made online at crcofwm.org or sent via mail to CRCofWM, P.O. Box 263, Norway, ME o4268.