Mary Anne Crawford, a licensed clinical professional counselor and an adjunct professor of counseling at the University of Southern Maine, has received the prestigious Founder’s Award from the Cancer Community Center in South Portland.

This is only the sixth time in the center’s 18-year-history that the award has been bestowed. It’s given to “an individual who embodies the vision and values of center founder Jane Staley (which was) to support and promote the well-being of people living with cancer, their families and their friends,” according to a press release from the cancer center.

The center chose to recognize Crawford for her long-term work with the Cancer Community Center. She’s been involved with the center since 2001 and was a volunteer support group facilitator for several years.

In addition, in her capacity as a licensed clinical practicing counselor, Crawford works closely with center staff to train and support its volunteer facilitators. She also helped to establish the cancer center as a site for counseling students from the University of Southern Maine to intern.

Crawford lives in Yarmouth with her husband of 44 years, David. The two share their home with a rescue dog named Kona, whom they adopted from the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk almost three years ago. Kona was brought to Maine from Georgia through the Paws Across America program, Crawford said.

She had a private psychotherapy practice, which she closed four years ago after her husband was diagnosed with cancer. Prior to returning to graduate school in 1998 to study counseling, Crawford was also a certified public accountant for 17 years.

This week she spoke with the Current about her initial involvement with the Cancer Community Center and what winning the Founder’s Award means to her.

Q: Why did you become involved with the cancer center?

A: When I was doing my master’s counseling program, I was looking for a volunteer opportunity that would enable me to use some of the new counseling skills I was learning. Getting trained in support group facilitation and then co-facilitating a support group was perfect for me with regard to my education and career goals. But much more than that, I wanted to volunteer in a way that allowed me to give back. My husband and I had both lost our fathers to lung cancer, along with a dear friend. In all those cases, and more, we learned what it was like to both be supported and provide support. The Cancer Community Center just felt like the right fit and it was.

Q: What makes the cancer center special?

A: The center provides all kinds of services and opportunities for people touched by cancer. In addition to the support groups and the buddy program, there are activities for health and wellness, information, connection and just plain fun. All services and activities are free. It’s a very safe space, where no one is judged for what they’re feeling, or saying or how they look. It truly is the place to start when you don’t know where to begin, as the center’s slogan states.

Also, when my husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2010, I felt so uncertain as to what to do, and one of the first things I did was to call the center and have them connect me with a buddy – a kind and wonderful woman who had been through what I was experiencing. A few phone conversations with her helped me get back on my feet and feel more grounded. And now my husband takes advantage of some of the activities at the center, too.

Q: What does winning the Founder’s Award mean to you?

A: I am so grateful and so humbled by this award. It means so much to me. Everyone I meet at the Cancer Community Center is a hero, and I get so much fulfillment from my work with the center and the people who walk through those doors. I feel like I receive way more than I give. I am just blown away by being chosen for this honor.

Q: What would you like people to know about the cancer center and what it offers?

A: If you or someone you love is touched by cancer, I heartily recommend stopping by or calling the Cancer Community Center to get information and to learn how they can help you. It’s a warm, friendly and supportive environment. I know it can be difficult to take that first step in asking for help, but I know you’ll be glad once you do. Overall, I want people to know that the Cancer Community Center is not at all a depressing place to be. It is actually a place full of joy and hope.

Mary Anne Crawford recently received the Founder’s Award from the Cancer Community Center in South Portland.

A closer look

This fall the Cancer Community Center in South Portland it offering a series of Look Good, Feel Better workshops. The workshops, which started this week, run through Dec. 26. and are offered two Mondays a month at different times. For more information or to register in advance, call 877-774-2200.

 

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