LEWISTON – Mari Maxwell, Sun Journal reader representative and newsroom administrator, recently received a 2003 American Cancer Society Sword of Hope Award for a five-part series of articles she wrote about her personal battle with cancer.

Titled “Diagnosis: Cancer,” Maxwell’s series, which ran on five consecutive days in March of 2001, was written while she was a reporter for the Biddeford (Maine) Journal Tribune newspaper.

The series reflected Maxwell’s optimistic spirit and offered a personal look at what she and other women experience while living with cancer.

Thirteen Sword of Hope awards were given to newspapers and television stations in New England. Maxwell won in the category for newspapers under 50,000 circulation. The awards were presented April 24 at an evening reception and dinner at the Harvard Faculty Club.

The competition is intended to recognize the essential role of the news media in raising public awareness of cancer, deepening the understanding of cancer and, ultimately, saving lives.