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Photo courtesy of Northern Light Mayo Hospital
PATIENT FOOD BOXES — Northern Light Mayo Hospital Community Health Coordinator Kayla Desmarais gets food boxes ready to be distributed to oncology patients to ensure they have everything needed for fresh, hot holiday meals.
Photo courtesy of Northern Light Mayo Hospital
PATIENT FOOD BOXES — Northern Light Mayo Hospital Community Health Coordinator Kayla Desmarais gets food boxes ready to be distributed to oncology patients to ensure they have everything needed for fresh, hot holiday meals.
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The holidays can be a challenging time for those affected by cancer, and sometimes, a small gesture to make life easier can make all the difference. On Dec.
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The holidays can be a challenging time for those affected by cancer, and sometimes, a small gesture to make life easier can make all the difference. On Dec. 23 Northern Light Mayo Hospital, supported by community partners, distributed food baskets to ensure oncology patients have everything needed for fresh, hot holiday meals.
“Oncology patients and their families may have difficulty finding the time, energy, and funds to shop for food prior to the holidays,” says Kate Desmarais, community health coordinator, who organized the food basket distribution and greeted the 21 patients and families who stopped by to pick up food. “It feels really good to give back and connect with patients and provide something really nice and welcoming.”
Each basket contains a choice of ham or turkey, produce, cranberry sauce, rolls and more as well as a card signed by members of the Positive Action Team at Ridge View Community School in Dexter. Similar food baskets were distributed to oncology patients prior to Thanksgiving, a tradition which began several years ago.
Photo courtesy of Northern Light Mayo Hospital
PATIENT FOOD BOXES — Northern Light Mayo Hospital Community Health Coordinator Kayla Desmarais gets food boxes ready to be distributed to oncology patients to ensure they have everything needed for fresh, hot holiday meals.
“It’s very nice and it’s really needed,” says a patient who picked up a food basket. “We use all the food up; it does not go to waste. It helps out a lot.”
Produce for the baskets was provided by the Christine B. Foundation and Eli’s Market in Guilford generously assembled and delivered the baskets to the hospital. Funds raised by the community at the annual Walk for Hope fundraiser at Mayo Hospital covered a portion of the food costs. More than 330 people participated in the 2025 Walk, which raised approximately $50,000 to benefit the Cancer Center and Patient Assistance Fund to help patients access care.
“I appreciate the cancer center and the hospital for distributing the food baskets,” says a patient who is currently undergoing treatment. “When you have cancer, you’re tired all the time, and you don’t want to go shopping. This saves me a whole bunch of trouble.”
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