Engagement and Community: Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri for a Cure

A joyous 15th annual Tri for a Cure happened today in South Portland, Maine where 1,300 women lined up for the largest triathlon in the state to swim, bike, and run for a great cause after a two year hiatus. The annual Tri for a Cure sends participants into the cold waters of Casco Bay, cruising around scenic Cape Elizabeth on bike, and running to the finish near historic Bug Light in South Portland, all to raise funds to cure breast cancer.

Tri captain Robyn Campbell and the tradition of sharing on your arm who you’re ‘tri-ing’ for

WEX’s long standing connection with the event

For the last nine years, WEX has held the Presenting Sponsor title in support of the annual competition.  As a show of support, 30 women employees of WEX participate in the Tri each year. In the early years, many WEXers had personal ties to the event through other organization affiliations. WEXers participated, volunteered, and fundraised for the cause prior to corporate involvement. These early organic relationships have contributed to the enduring partnership between WEX and the Maine Cancer Foundation.

The Maine Cancer Foundation – WEX’s community partner

Speakers before today’s event included MCF Executive Director, Cheryl Tucker, Tri for a Cure founder Julie Marchese, and WEX CEO Melissa Smith

The Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) was established in 1976 by Mainers who noticed the absence of an organization aimed at fighting cancer in the community. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Maine. Its effects are felt in every county. The foundation has primarily focused on research in the past, but is now transitioning its resources to help support patients and their families. This would include funding for access to prevention, early detection, and access to care. The cost of cancer care in all forms can be prohibitive for Mainers. MCF’s support will go a long way in helping the community. In the years that the Foundation has hosted the Tri for a Cure, the event has brought in nearly $20 million, all of which has gone directly back into the 16 counties that make up the State of Maine.

WEXers at the Tri

WEXers gather pre-race to distract from the jitters

Of the WEXers participating, many have taken part in years past, and many are first-timers; there are those who have experienced cancer themselves, those who’ve lost loved ones to cancer, and those who are out supporting a friend or family member. As WEX CEO Melissa Smith describes it, this triathlon is different from any other: “Seasoned triathletes come to participate in this tri and are moved by the unique spirit of this race. Maine’s tri is about community and caring for one another and really nothing else matters. So when you’re in that water, on that trail, and on that bike, you’re in it with an eye towards giving love and support to everyone around you. That’s the beauty of Maine’s Tri for a Cure.”

Inspired by the loss of a loved one to raise funds and join the Tri

Racers running up the chute between swimming and bicycling

Lynn Alexander, a WEXer since her early 20s, followed her father when he moved to Maine and joined what was formerly known as Wright Express, working card production and distribution. During her 20+ year tenure she has held numerous titles within the company, and is currently the VP of Client Service Operations.

In 2011 Lynn Alexander threw her hat in the ring, entering the WEX raffle to participate in the Tri. “There were two important factors in this decision, the first being that I wanted to use the Tri as a fitness goal: applying in January would allow me plenty of time to prepare for the event in July. Second, I lost my mom to cancer when I was 14 years old, so participating in the Tri, and raising money for the Maine Cancer Foundation holds special meaning for me.”

Lynn has been a Tri devotee for years. This summer will mark her fourth Tri, three of which she has participated in under WEX’s corporate sponsorship. This summer Lynn was guaranteed entry into the event because of her fundraising efforts in 2021. She was excited to learn about her guaranteed entry because she knew it would open up her spot on the WEX team for other WEXers to participate.

In discussing her favorite part of the Tri for a Cure, Lynn recalls how inspiring it has been every year to see the first wave of athletes begin the race. Traditionally, Maine’s Tri is kicked off by cancer survivors. It’s also an inclusive event where women of all ages and abilities can participate. People join in for the spirit of the event itself, enjoying the camaraderie shared by the participants, the spectators, and the fans.

Participating in the tri makes this cyclist proud to work for WEX

Kate Murray joined WEX in 2004 and currently works as a Senior Account Manager with Premium Fleet Services. Kate has participated in the Tri almost every year since WEX became involved, and most years you’ll find her completing the cycling leg for her WEX team. “The Tri is a great cause and event to be a part of,” says Kate. “There is no shortage of motivation to participate each year and I have a long list of people to whom I dedicate my race.”

And they’re off! The first leg of swimmers, all breast cancer survivors kick off the annual event today

Participating in the Tri as a WEXer is a source of pride for Kate. WEX’s support allows employees who live in Maine to take part in a fun and gratifying event, and supports its athletes in entry costs, matching donations, training events, and fundraisers.

Kate believes there’s something really special about the all-women’s mini-tri. It’s set up to be as inclusive as possible, and during the event participants help each other along. Any woman who is passionate about the cause can join in.

It’s that spirit and emotional component of the event that keeps people like Kate coming back each year. “Cancer affects so many people, and our community coming together for the Tri and the MCF shows how meaningful it is to us all to be able to support such an important cause,” Kate says.

This cancer survivor is grateful to be here today

Amy Novak, a Senior Product Manager with Fleet Services, has worked at WEX since 2013. 

In October 2019, Amy was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She feels deeply grateful it was found early, and after the diagnosis she underwent extensive treatments and multiple surgeries. She is now three years from diagnosis and two and a half years from her double mastectomy and has learned so much through the experience. For Amy, participating in the Tri this summer with WEX is personal: it represents her own strength and resilience.

Amy has an incredible support system. She has felt that support from family, friends, and from WEX as an organization: “I was afforded the grace to continue working at my own pace and I was encouraged by my colleagues at WEX to take the time I needed to recover during my treatment.” Not only did Amy’s illness impact her but it put stress on her husband and three kids who were 15, 14, and 4 years old at the time of her diagnosis. Learning to rely on others and ask for help was new for her family and it became essential to help them through a serious illness.

This experience has solidified Amy’s values, “Being more present, enjoying the moment more, trying to remember – ok, that may seem like a big deal, but it really isn’t – so let’s not stress about it.” Amy’s priorities were illuminated in the process: family, time, and maintaining good health. “The treatments do take a toll. Maintaining good health in many ways, mental, physical, spiritual, really helps.”

Amy’s interest in the Tri for a Cure predates her cancer diagnosis. Even before she began working at WEX she would go to the Tri event every year and support her sister who was a participant. It had always been a goal for her to join others in the Tri and for the first time, last year, Amy participated in the virtual event. There was an in-person 5K that was held on the campus of SMCC in South Portland last year as part of the virtual tri, which Amy ran with other WEX participants. For the other two legs, which were the virtual portions, Amy swam in a local pool, and biked using a stationary bike at home. She described the experience as incredibly emotional and uplifting for her. Her recent experiences made participating in the event more meaningful for her.

“There were days when I was not getting up. There were days when I was exhausted or post-surgery and watching tv was the day. I’m not doing that anymore, I can get up and do a workout, even if it is just 10 minutes. And I’m here, that’s the main thing, I get to be here.” She’s doing the Tri this year because she can and she wants to contribute to the work MCF is doing in and around her community.

Amy has a deep understanding of the important work that the Maine Cancer Foundation does for Mainers. The toll that a cancer diagnosis can take on a family is heavy. The help that the MCF provides is a huge relief to those families. While she may not have been a direct recipient of MCF outreach, she knows that the funding the MCF has provided for research directly impacted her treatment and prognosis. It means so much that WEX backs and supports the Tri for a Cure both financially and through supporting and encouraging the participation of its employees.

Employee engagement in meaningful community events.

Molly Steele and Jamie Clisham joined forces to form a team of support around cancer survivor Amy Novak at this year’s Tri

An important part of WEX’s work is an enduring focus on its mission and values. It’s special to have employees that feel passionate about WEX’s values and want to support the same causes. The Tri brings people together who not only have a passion for finding a cure for breast cancer, but it also gathers people who are willing to take an active role in doing something about it. Take Molly Steele, one of the co-captains of WEX’s team, who–when she learned her colleague Amy Novak was nervous about the swim–offered herself up to do that leg of the Tri and pulled in another colleague, Jamie Clisham, to do the cycling. The two formed a team of support around Amy on her first full tri post cancer treatments.

This is where WEX’s core value of community shines. Through events like the Tri for a Cure, employees can go back into the community and create positive change, just as Lynn, Kate, Amy, Molly and Jamie have.

Spirit, camaraderie, inclusivity, and strength define Maine’s Tri for a Cure. It’s not about the time or place in which you finish. It’s about women supporting women and a state-wide community coming together to help each other.

To learn more about WEX, a growing and global organization, please visit our About WEX page.

Resources:
Maine Magazine
Tri for a Cure
Maine Cancer Foundation

A special thank you to Lynn Alexander, Kate Murray, Amy Novak, Molly Steele, and Jay Collins for sharing their stories and perspectives.