Most women dread the idea of becoming like their mother. But for Pauline Alighieri, Friends of Mel Foundation founder, being compared to her mother is a complement she loves receiving. Alighieri credits her mother for her quick wit, kind heart, sociable personality, and most importantly, her penchant for giving back.

Alighieri's mother, Helene Ouellette of Lewiston, instilled a sense of benevolence in her children from their youngest years. She led by example, giving what they could, at a time when families had much less to give. Ouellette volunteered with the American Red Cross, participated in toy and food drives, and annually adopted a family at Christmas time, upon whom they showered gifts and cooked meals. Ouellette made sure that her children appreciated what they had.

Jump to 50 years later and Ouellette, now 86, is still giving back. Each year, she collects hundreds of jack-o-lanterns and orchestrates a pumpkin parade in the center of Auburn. The result has been a donation of more than $18,000 raised and contributed to the Maine Children's Cancer Program.

Like mother, like daughter, Alighieri, now 61, turned the grief she felt after losing a close friend into a way to help others. She created the Friends of Mel Foundation, which has, in just over two years, raised more than $3.5 million for cancer education, research and patient support through the distribution of colorful beaded bracelets known as Mel's Bracelets.

On May 7, Alighieri's Friends of Mel Foundation is going to match the $18,000 that has been raised by her mother's Pumpkin Parade, thus bringing the total contribution to the Maine Children's Cancer Program to $36,000. "My mother has always been such an inspiration to me," says Alighieri, "Her generous spirit is not only genetic, it's contagious, and this donation in her honor is a tribute to all she has done for me and for the people in her community."

Mel Simmons was a devoted single mother of two, a much beloved friend of many, a flight attendant and a breast cancer patient.

To lift Mel's spirits while she as being treated for cancer, her fellow flight attendants would bring her dozens of colorful beaded bracelets from overseas. Mel would promptly share them with fellow patients and the medical staff on her oncology floor.

Dozens would wear the beaded bracelets to show their solidarity in the fight against cancer. In 2005 Mel lost her battle to the disease, and Pauline Alighieri picked up right where she left off, by importing bracelets, passing them out in Mel's memory, and raising money for cancer research.

The mission caught on. Soon people were asking for "Mel's Bracelets" and less than a year later, the Friends of Mel Foundation was born. Today, more than 200,000 women and men are wearing Mel's Bracelets as a tangible, daily sign that they are banded together in love and solidarity with their friends.

These friendship circles are affecting change. By raising money for cancer research, education and support, the friends are wearing the bracelets with the hope that they will never have to lose a friend or loved one to cancer.

In less than three years, Mel's Bracelets have raised more than $3.5 million, donating more than $1 million alone to reputable hospitals such as Massachusetts General Hospital's Cancer Center.

In fact, funds donated by the Friends of Mel Foundation are responsible for cutting edge research and innovative programs, the details of which are available upon request.

For more information about the Friends of Mel Foundation, visit www.friendsofmel.org or call 617-777-7626.