Profile of Courage Jean Libbey By Kathi Varney, NP Coordinator, Sam & Jennie Bennett Breast Center A soft encouraging word, a warm touch of compassion and a listening ear are all important qualities for someone working with breast cancer patients. Mix all these ingredients with personal experience and you get Jean Libbey. Jean is a 70-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in 1998. Since that time, Jean has battled recurrence and has supported her sister through the diagnosis of breast cancer. Even in the midst of all this, Jean has been a faithful presence at the Bennett Breast Care Center for the past 6 years. She is a great resource of support and information for women facing the diagnosis of breast cancer. Because of her concern for others, Jean founded and facilitated the H.O.P.E (Healing of Persons Exceptional) support group for Central Maine. This group is unique and is geared to uplift and encourage those going through a devastating disease such as cancer. Jean contributes her strength to her faith. Jean has been trained through the American Cancer Society as a Reach to Recovery Volunteer and diligently seeks to lend support and information to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. As part of her mission at the Breast Center, Jean interacts with long-term survivors as well as the newly diagnosed and encourages them as only Jean can do. She is a kind and caring woman who feels it is her duty to reach out to others who are struggling with their illness. She serves on the planning committee for the Annual Buddy to Buddy Spring Fashion Show. This event raises money to help underserved women obtain needed mammography and other breast related services. Jean also is valued member of the advisory committee for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing. If you ask Jean about her breast cancer experience, she will tell you she hates “pink” and doesn’t want to be identified by her diagnosis but rather by her inner strengths, personality and acts of faith. Jean is well known in the Lewiston-Auburn and Portland area as a prominent business woman. She owns Mainely Sewing Machines in Portland. She has been active locally in the media, and hospital setting to promote the importance of early detection methods. Jean resides in Auburn with her devoted husband of 51 years and is dearly loved by all who have the privilege to know her.