In Maine, about 1 in 2 people will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. Many families quickly discover how difficult it can be to navigate referrals, testing, insurance approvals, and treatment decisions while everything feels urgent.

This site was created after my father’s cancer diagnosis, when our family learned how much patients and families are expected to figure out on their own. The goal is simple: to share what we learned so other families feel more informed, more prepared, and less alone while navigating serious illness in Maine.

This website exists to share what we have learned along the way.

It is not written from the perspective of a medical professional or policy expert. It comes from the experience of a family trying to understand a complicated system while facing a serious diagnosis. The goal is simply to make that process a little clearer for others — especially for families in Maine, where access to specialty care and timelines can look different than in larger medical centers.

The information shared here is based on personal experience and general research and is intended for educational purposes only. This website does not provide individual medical, legal, or insurance advice. Medical decisions should always be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. My hope is that this site helps families feel more prepared, more informed, and more confident asking questions — and that, over time, it helps start conversations about how care can work better for everyone.