Back in July, the Town of Winterport began an ambitious fundraiser.

Raise $25,000 in six months, for the new Lafayette Cancer Center in Brewer.

Monday, the community learned the results of their efforts.

Joy Hollowell reports.

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"My wife is a 10-year survivor," says Joe Brooks, a resident of Winterport and co-chair of the town's Lafayette Cancer Center Fundraising Committee. "She is doing very, very well now, but when we went through it 10 years ago, what we discovered is the most recent information, facilities, doctors, programs, are not here."

When joe brooks heard about the lafayette cancer center fundraising challenge, he put his entire town of Winterport into action.

(Mike Thibodeau, Co-Chair Winterport Fundraising Committee)
"Joe Brooks approached me about being co-chair for the fundraiser. Because my sister is actually taking treatment for breast cancer currently, I felt really led to do that."

Mike Thibodeau kicked off the challenge with an ice cream social at his home in July. The duo also got in touch with the Winterport Women's Club.

"I know a lot of people thought, even our club members thought that we were crazy, thinking it's such a short span of time that we're going to raise over $25,000. But together, collectively, the school, the community, the businesses, I went out with Joe Brooks and knocked on doors and knocked on businesses and their arms were open."

Students at the Smith School collected pennies, raising 565 dollars. The student council at Wagner Middle School also pitched in.

(Aaron Newland, President of the Wagner Middle School Council)
"We sold the candy canes for 50 cents a piece, so that's a lot of candy canes to sell for $275."

Monday, the community learned the results of their fundraising campaign. Turns out they didn't raise
25-thousand dollars --

(Mike Thidobeau)
"We've raised nearly $30,000, with checks still coming in (applause)."

"They actually set the precedent for about a dozen other communities to take their example and follow through with raising money for their communities," says Chris Cox, Director of Plan Giving for Eastern Maine Healthcare Charities.

"There are 3,900 plus people who live in this community, and I dare say that every one of them at one time or another gave something to this drive," says Brooks.
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To date, the Lafayette Cancer Center of Maine has raised more than 12 million dollars. It is one the largest fundraising campaigns in this area.

Members of the Winterport community can see the results of all their hard work.

One of the chemotherapy infusion bays inside the new Lafayette Cancer Center will be named in honor of the town and its residents.

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