TOPSHAM – Claire Breton of Lewiston was awarded the Sandra C. Labaree Volunteer Values Award by the American Cancer Society’s New England Division.

The volunteer-based organization each year accepts nominations for the award, named in honor of the late Sandra C. Labaree, a longtime American Cancer Society volunteer from Damariscotta and a founding member of the New England Division board of directors. The awards recognize and honor New England volunteers whose actions and service in the fight against cancer most exemplify the society’s organizational values.

This year, five outstanding society volunteers from Maine were selected to receive this award. Going above and beyond the call of duty to extend the “warm hand of service” to cancer patients is a top priority for these dedicated individuals.

Breton began volunteering for ACS in 2006 as a Cancer Resource Center volunteer at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, volunteering one morning each week. At times, she came to the center on her day off when she knew that a new cancer patient was coming in, to welcome them and refer them to needed services.

In 2007, after referring many patients to the society’s transportation program, Breton realized the on-going need for Road to Recovery volunteer drivers in her community. She asked her partner Roland, a retired bus driver, if he would be interested in driving patients to their treatment appointments. She was also ready and willing to extend her volunteer work to include driving for the Road to Recovery program. Since then, Clair and Roland have driven thousands of miles round trip from Lewiston to Boston. They also make numerous trips, several times each week, driving local patients to radiation or chemotherapy treatments at Lewiston hospitals.

“Claire will often meet patients in her role as a Cancer Resource Center volunteer at St. Mary’s, and then drive the same patients to treatment appointments,” said Terry Baker of the American Cancer Society. “She is a dedicated, caring and willing volunteer always putting the needs of cancer patients first.”

Other Sandra C. Labaree award winners in Maine this year include Maria Philbrick of Scarborough, Janet Miles of Livermore, Mari Hoell of Kittery, Peggy Mast and Nancy Damiani of Brunswick and Valerie Clark of Topsham.