LEWISTON — Mother of five and 22-year cancer survivor Laura Davis of Buckfield has been named the 2011 Amgen Breakaway from Cancer Survivor Award winner. The award is given to a cancer survivor involved in Central Maine community outreach and demonstrates a passion for helping others with cancer. It is presented in conjunction with the annual Dempsey Challenge, the primary fundraising event for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing at Central Maine Medical Center.

Davis was first diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma when her first-born daughter, Sarah, was just four weeks old and has dealt with six additional diagnoses over the years.

“As a 22-year survivor, there have been so many points in my life when I have needed an entire survival team of people — doctors, nurses, social workers, and of course my amazing family and friends, to overcome this disease,” said Davis. “It has taken all of us to make the difference in our community and I would encourage anyone whose life has been touched by cancer to find a way to get involved.”

Davis and her husband, Peter Rinck, own Rinck Advertising in Auburn. The agency has donated marketing and advertising services, hundreds of volunteer hours and raised thousands of dollars for both the Dempsey Challenge and the Maine Cancer Foundation. In 2010, Rinck Advertising began work on a branded Dempsey Challenge marketing campaign and produced the documentary film, “Badge of Honor,” which features in-depth interviews with Patrick Dempsey, his sister Mary, cancer survivors and Dempsey Center staff. The eight-minute film is available for viewing at dempseychallenge.org.

In 2010, Davis began the ‘I Hate Cancer’ independent fundraising effort, selling merchandise to benefit the Dempsey Center. The edgy T-shirts and bracelets may be purchased online at rinckadvertising.com/ihatecancerstore. In addition, this year, Davis partnered with award-winning tattoo artist, James McGrory of Fianna Studios in Portland, to provide a free tattoo to a cancer survivor to commemorate their survivorship.

“Laura’s extensive and dedicated involvement with the Dempsey Challenge, Dempsey Center, Maine Cancer Foundation and Tri for the Cure made her a worthy recipient of this award,” said Dempsey Challenge event manager, Aimee Arsenault.

Davis will formally accept the award on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Champions for Hope Celebration, which recognizes the fundraising efforts of Dempsey Challenge participants. Past winners include Carlene Sperry, Allen Lariviere and Scott Thomas.

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