Maine Cancer Foundation Fundraising Events

11th Annual Mary's Walk and Kerrymen Pub Road Race Scheduled for Sunday, March 15, in Saco

"I was the luckiest kid alive to have Eileen O'Leary Lewis as my mother," said Callie Black. Callie's team, Eileen's Queens was the top fundraising team in the 2008 Mary's Walk and Kerrymen Pub Road Race.
Mom was young, vibrant and very funny with a zest for life second to none…there was a never a dull moment in our house! When she was 49, she was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Having never smoked, we were all completely caught off guard. It didn’t take Mom long before she became an advocate for cancer and would stop at nothing to fight for a cure. 

One of her favorite events was Mary’s Walk. She and a group of friends put a team together each year, walked the route and had a ball! Sadly, Mom lost her fight with cancer in January 2008 and we had no choice but to carry on the tradition of Mary’s Walk. From the size of the team you can tell how much she was loved and adored. Although her life was cut short, we always say that even though she died at 51 she really lived 102 years! For that, we carry on the tradition of having a great time and fighting for the cause.” 

You too can honor someone you know affected by cancer at the 2009 Mary’s Walk and the Kerrymen Pub Road Race on Sunday, March 15 in Saco. Organized by a dedicated group of volunteers led by Gene Libby and Jane Kerry, the 2.5 mile non-competitive Walk is held in conjunction with the Kerrymen Pub 5K Road Race, an early season, out and back, flat run. 

Maine Cancer Foundation is the exclusive beneficiary in the quest fund research and find hope for the people of Maine (www.mainecancer.org). “Last year's 10th anniversary was quite a thrill as we reached the awesome total of raising one million dollars over ten years,” said Gene. Mary’s Walk is named for Mary Kerry Libby who lost her battle with cancer in 1998. She was just 44.

In addition to the modest registration fee of $15/walk, $20/run, participants are encouraged to fundraise. New awards have been put into place, our way to say “thank you.” Raise $200 and receive a slancha hat, raise $600 and the hat and a fleece throw are yours. Raise $1200 and you’ll receive a logo fleece jacket plus the throw and hat. Don’t forget, too, that a long sleeve t-shirt goes to the first 1,000 who register. 

Secure and easy on-line registration is available at www.maryswalk.org. Registration brochures are available at all branches of Saco Biddeford Savings Institution, the Kerrymen Pub and by calling toll free in Maine 1-866-627-2411. In addition to fundraising awards, medallions will be awarded to fastest run times for men and women in age categories. There’s a cash awards for overall Top Male and Female runner. Hot and cold beverages and refreshments at the Kerrymen Pub will be plentiful. Register today! Over 2000 people are expected!