gregg sanborn '82

-15-Fryeburg Academy, 745 Main Street, Fryeburg, Maine 04037, (207) 935-2001 x 3137, www.fryeburgacademy.org, [email protected]

In April 2012, we learned that FA alum, and Chief Deputy with the Maine War-den Service, Gregg Sanborn ‘84 had been diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma. Ellen Benson Guilford ‘72 and friends of Gregg’s went to work with the Be The Match-National Marrow Donor Program (www.marrow.org) to help fi nd a match and match funding for Gregg who had been unsuccessful in fi nding a donor up to that point.

The group, “The Friends of Gregg Sanborn,” led by Ellen began planning. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and strangers came out in record numbers to support

Eye on Alumni Gregg Sanborn

‘84

May 19, 2012 - Gregg gets warm greetings from classmates, Linn Charette ‘84, Betsy Hopler-McClare ‘84 & Barbara Gushee ‘84

Marion Heald Brine ‘65 selling raffl e tickets

Buzz Brine ‘66 - Friends of Gregg Sanborn volunteer

The Sophomore Class (Class of 2014) gave $200 from their treasury to The Friends of Gregg Sanborn Fund. Sophomores Seth Benoit ‘14 & Sullivan Briggs ‘14 (son of Ronnie Briggs ‘74) presenting the gift to Kim Barton Newton ‘76 (cousin of Gregg Sanborn ‘84) & Ellen Benson

Guilford ‘72 (chairman of The Friends of Gregg Sanborn). Alan Whitaker ‘77-FA’s Director of Food Services


Gregg. A benefi t supper and auction was held along with a stem cell match donor drive at the FA gym with over 500 people in attendance. Ellen says, “The whole com-munity came out to save someone’s life. I’m amazed and just so proud. Gregg was not only supported by his friends, colleagues and classmates but by those of his parents and family as well. This small community is very supportive. This was huge. People were there who hadn’t seen each other in 30 years. It was so great that Gregg was there too. He has been very sick and we weren’t sure he could be there - but it seemed to me he got energy from the rest of us. His color improved as the events went on. He was sitting on a cooler talking to people and laughing and telling stories with old friends. It truly felt like we were giving him life.”

In mid-June, we got the phenomenal news that a match was found! We received this letter from Gregg shortly thereafter:

“Please extend my appreciation and gratitude to all those who organized, planned and attended the “Be the Match” events over the weekend of May 18th at Fryeburg Academy. Whoever coined the phrase “you can’t go home again” was never given the opportunity to experience such an event. I was truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of David Ross of the Maine Game Warden Service

helps raise funds for Gregg

Wardens Adam Gormely & Peter Herring of the Maine Warden Service & Ellen Benson Guilford ‘72 serve up supper at the benefi t dinner for Gregg

Gregg & his mother, Blanche Sanborn, retired Fryeburg teacher

Flora Katsiafi cas-FA Former Faculty & Elizabeth Andrews ‘80

Ryanne Johnson ‘12-FA President of the Class of 2012 & Taylor Newton ‘12-cousin of Gregg

Barbara Gushee ‘84 serves up supper at the benefi t for Gregg


support from the greater Fryeburg Community. Not surprisingly, during the past year I have noticed that the simple activities that normally bring me contentment and happiness, such as bird hunting with my dogs, fl y-fi shing with my family or a round of golf, have failed to do so. The uncertainty of the im-mediate future and planning my life around doctors’ appointments and medical testing has made cancer an entity that is always present. However, I found myself having a good time during the events of that weekend in May and forgetting about the fi ght that lies ahead. Cancer took a back seat for a weekend, and for that a big ‘thank you’ as well. Now, to relate a bit of good news that was confi rmed this week. I was notifi ed by Dana Farber that a match has been found. Under the rules of “Be the Match” the only information that can be released to me for one year is that the donor is a male, 26 years of age. At this time I do not even know what state or country he is from. Staff at Dana Farber tells me that this profi le is a very good match for me and increases the chances of a suc-cessful stem cell transplant. Whether or not my match comes from Fryeburg, ME, or Fairbanks, AK, the fact a match was found clears one of the biggest hurdles on my way to being cured. Hopefully, one or more of the 190 or so potential donors that were swabbed at Fryeburg will some-day get the call to save someone’s life. The awareness that my disease has created and the subsequent “Be the Match” drives have resulted in over 700 names from Maine and New

Gregg Sanborn ‘84

Bill Perry ‘80 - Volunteer

Gregg with caring classmates, Jeff Seavey ‘84, Lesa Day ‘84, Liz Thorman ‘84, Linn Charette ‘84, Betsy Hopler-McClare ‘84 & Barbara Gushee ‘84; Andrew Beebe ‘84, Laurie Blood Ramsay ‘84,

Kathy Springham-Mack ‘84, Gregg Sanborn ‘84 & Ann Linnell Arsenault ‘84

Karylann Walker ‘14 & Abby Rolfe ‘14 serve up whoopie pies; Photo right-Pris-cilla Buzzell Barton ‘57 with daughters, Jody Barton Hesselin ‘83 &

Vicki Barton Berry ‘80 & granddaughter, Anna Berry


Hampshire being added to the world-wide registry. That is defi nitely a posi-tive that was created out of a real negative diagnosis. As it stands right now, I will be admitted to Brigham and Women’s hos-pital on July 9th, to start the stem cell transplant process. As I understand it, the fi rst 8 days I will be receiving high doses of chemotherapy and radiation and will only be semi-conscious. The goal of that is to kill all cancer cells. On day eight, I will be receiving the donated stem cells that will rebuild my immune system that the fi rst eight days of treatment has completely destroyed. The donated stem cells are my life line. I will need to be in isolation to protect myself from infections until my new immune system is strong enough, usually about a year. It will be a long year before I can resume “normal” activity and go back to work. I will miss seeing everyone at the fair this year, but I’ll catch up with everyone next year. My doctors say if this works, I’ll be trading this one year for 30 or more good ones. I’ll hang onto that in the days ahead. Again, thank you for all that was done for my family and me. Sincerely, Gregory W. Sanborn, FA Class of 1984”

Jay Brenchick ‘84 & Andrew Beebe ‘84 - Volunteers

Kyle Barboza ‘14 with Sgt. Jason Luce of the Maine Warden Service& Andrew Emery ‘13 - Volunteers Alicia Leavitt ‘07 & Lori Lusky ‘82 - Volunteers

Richard Murray-Fryeburg Police - Donor Lori Jardine ‘84 - DonorGregg with cousins, Kim Barton Newton ‘76 &

daughter, Taylor ‘12


Gregg spent six weeks at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. He has received his stem cell transplant and is at home where he will spend the next year gaining back his health and strength.

If you wish to be in touch with Gregg, email him at [email protected] or drop him a note at 545 Quaker Road, Sidney, Maine 04330. Our best wishes are with Gregg for a quick recov-ery! Written by Rachel Andrews Damon ‘76

Jay Brenchick ‘85 with GreggDiane Lewey-FA’s Database Administra-

tor wth husband, Paul - VolunteersWardens Sara Miller and Kris Barboza

wait for stem cell testing

Owen Mills ‘70 - Donor

Taylor Newton ‘12 - Donor

Warden Sara Miller - taking the test!

gregg sanborn '82

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