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Touched by her grandmother's battle with the disease, 16-year-old Meaghan Martin turns her love for horse-riding into "Ribbons for Ribbons," a summer-into-fall fundraising initiative for breast cancer research. (Portland, ME) – Maine teenager Meaghan Martin is turning her love of horseback-riding into a fundraising initiative for breast cancer research at Maine Medical Center, inspired by her grandmother's recent battle with the disease. Meaghan, 16, of Hollis Center, will ride her standardbred gelding Charlie in a series of dressage competitions in the region, and she is asking for pledges based on her scores at these events, or outright donations. She's calling her undertaking “Ribbons for Ribbons,” a nod to the ribbons she aims to win and the pink ribbon that signifies breast cancer awareness. “It hit me especially hard,” says Meaghan, referring to her grandmother Ruth Martin's breast cancer diagnosis last year. “This wasn't happening to someone I didn't know. This was my own grandmother! And I wanted to do something to help.” An avid horseback-rider since she was five, Meaghan and her seven-year-old standardbred gelding Charlie compete in the Southern Maine Dressage Association (SMDA) schooling shows. Dressage – a French word that means training – is a discipline of riding sometimes referred to as ballet on horseback because of its beauty and elegance as the horse maneuvers in response to body signals from the rider. “I had heard of other events and fundraisers where riders wore pink to raise money for breast cancer, but hadn't heard of any dressage riders doing it,” she says, explaining the genesis of “Ribbons for Ribbons.” “I tried to organize benefit trail rides at first, but because of insurance issues at the equestrian park, I was unable to do so,” she adds. “So when I finally came up with a way to ride dressage and raise money, I was thrilled!” Next, Meaghan had to choose a recipient for her fundraising efforts. A methodical young woman, she visited Maine Medical Center (MMC) to learn more about cancer care and research. As a result of that visit, she decided to donate the funds she raises to cancer research at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI). This means all the money raised will be used to support cancer research in Maine, which appealed to Meaghan. Meaghan's goal is to raise $2,000 this summer, and donors can support her efforts in two different ways. The first is to simply make a donation, in any amount. Checks should be made payable to “Ribbons for Ribbons” and mailed to TD Banknorth, N.A., 111 Ossippee Trail, Standish, ME 04084. The second option is to pledge an amount per point based on the final score that Meaghan and Charlie earn in competition (horse and rider compete in two classes per show, and the two scores are averaged for a final score). To make a pledge for one or more shows, e-mail Meaghan at ribbonsforribbons@yahoo.com and let her know the amount you wish to pledge per point. After the competition, Meaghan will e-mail her final score to those who have made pledges. Her results also will be posted on her website, http://ribbonsforribbons.tripod.com. In addition, donors can give online through MMC's secure online giving web pages, which can be accessed through the “Ribbons for Ribbons” website or the MMC philanthropy page (www.mmc.org, then click “Ways to Give”). Meaghan and Charlie earned a final score of 70 at the first SMDA event of the season held May 11, earning first- and second-place rankings, respectively, in the two classes of the show. Their schedule for the remainder of the season is as follows (all SMDA events are held at the Hollis Municipal Equestrian Park in Hollis, ME):
Such advances helped Meaghan's grandmother in her fight against breast cancer. After undergoing two lumpectomies and radiation therapy, in February of this year Ruth Martin was told she was cancer-free. “I'm so proud of Meaghan,” says her mother, Jeanne Martin, a sentiment Meaghan's grandmother echoes. “She is a great example of how everyone can help, no matter who you are, or how old you are.” About the Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI) and Cancer Research Maine Medical Center engages in a wide range of research activities designed to enhance the mission of the hospital. These include basic science, clinical and translational, psychiatric, and health services or outcomes research. Basic science: At MMCRI's state-of-the-art facility, over 100 scientists and staff work to translate basic science discoveries into new treatments and protocols. Six laboratories are currently engaged in cancer-specific research programs, studying the factors involved in the process of cancer cell growth such as gene mutations, the recruitment of blood vessels into tumors, and the ways that cancer cells spread and grow in secondary sites. If scientists can better understand how tumors grow and develop, it is hoped that more effective ways to stop tumor growth can be developed. Clinical Trials: At any given time, 25 to 30 percent of the clinical trials taking place at MMC and its affiliated practices are specifically focused on cancer care. Outcomes Research: The Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation analyzes statistics and other data on cancer from around the country, seeking patterns and deviances, with the aim of better understanding the causes and optimal treatments for cancer. |
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