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About Mary's Walk / Our Goals
What began as a way to recognize the gift of life that Mary shared with friends, family and community has now evolved into a community event where people come to honor and remember friends and family that they have lost and to encourage and support those dealing with cancer.
Mary's Walk is truly making a difference in funding Maine based cancer research. Since its inception in 1999 Mary's Walk has raised $874,216 for cancer research in Maine. It is our hope that the spirit of caring and support generated by Mary's Walk will help families now battling cancer in some small way.
For as long as people continue to care about their loved ones dealing with cancer and until there is a defined cure for this disease, Mary's Walk will continue to grow and benefit families and friends throughout Maine... we'll see you again next year!
Making a difference is really just a short walk away.
In 2006 Research Grants were awarded to explore Regulation of Breast Cancer Cell Growth by Notch Signaling Pathway at MMC Research Institute, Scarborough; Molecular Predictors of Iressa Response in Lung Cancer Patients, MCCM, Scarborough; The Role of Src Family Kinases in the Regulation of Stem Cell Survival in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Jackson Lab, Bar Harbor; Chromatin Reorganization in Pro-B Cell Lymphoma Nuclei, Jackson Lab, Bar Harbor; Preventive and Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin D3 and its Membrane on Neoplastic Cells; University of Maine, Orono
Education and Patient Support Grants went to Newport/Plymouth Elementary School to increase awareness of the effects of UVA exposure and skin cancer; Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic, MCCM, Scarborough To evaluate adherence to recommended screening and prevention interventions for women at high risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer (HBOC); Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center, Ellsworth to introduce educational talks and improve outreach; Westbrook High School, Westbrook to implement testicular cancer outreach and education; Camp Sunshine, Casco to provide for one cancer affected family to attend; Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston,to develop and implement a support program for young cancer survivor’s; Maine Breast Cancer Coalition, to provide financial assistance for breast health and breast cancer related services or items to under served people in Maine; Cancer Community Center, in South Portland to improve the quality of lives of adults diagnosed with cancer; Healthy Island Project, Deer Isle to facilitate a new cancer support group on Deer Isle; Cancer Care Center of York County, Sanford to implement complimentary therapies program; Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford, to funds support services including exercise and transportation programs.
Together Mary’s Walk and the Foundation are poised to make a significant contribution to cancer patients and research in Maine for many years to come. We need and would appreciate your support.
The concept behind the Power of 10 is very simple. As I shoveled snow from my driveway after one of our Spring 2007 snowstorms, I looked up and down my street and realized that many of my neighbors had no idea of my involvement with Mary’s Walk and probably had no idea what Mary’s walk is all about. One thing I was pretty sure of as I rested from shoveling and caught my breath was that everyone on my street has been touched by cancer, in some way, whether directly or indirectly, via family member or friend.
This realization led me to imagine, in a split second, the power that could be attained to expand Mary’s Walk by simply reaching out, not only to people I know, but people like my neighbors that I really don’t know. A phone call, a letter, a quick conversation, I thought, could help spread the word about Mary’s Walk and our mission.
I knew Mary, and for that I am grateful. As I sat down in French class as a freshman at Thornton Academy in the fall of 1968, the Junior upperclassman sitting to my left was Mary Kerry. I had been warned what to expect from upperclassmen by my older brothers and I did not have high expectations.
Mary was different. She smiled, introduced herself and acted as if we had been classmates for years. Mary did this to everyone she communicated with. She had this effect on everyone she met! Only recently, after she passed away, did I figure out her special gift, as described by others:
“When you spoke, Mary gave you her undivided attention. She listened, and did not judge, simply listened, with a smile.”
'There was something about Mary…' is a statement I have read, spoken, and heard many, many times in the last nine years. If you did not know Mary Kerry Libby, that’s okay, because you know (or knew) someone like her—someone who is special to you and is fighting a battle against cancer or was taken too soon from you.
So, with the Power of 10, I am committed to tell at least ten people about Mary’s Walk and how easy it is to get involved, either by walking, running in the Kerrymen Pub 5K Road Race, or simply registering on-line to make a donation. I can think of no better tribute to Mary, no better way to fight cancer, than to enlist neighbors, friends, co-workers, and relatives from all around the country to go for a walk or run on March 16th, 2008, whether with us in Saco or in your own neighborhood.
I invite you to commit to telling ten people about Mary’s Walk to help us make the 10th anniversary Mary’s Walk / Kerrymen Pub Road Race the best yet, in support of those struggling against the deadly disease of cancer. All donations support cancer research and patient services through the Maine Cancer Foundation. Your support is an investment in the future health and well being of everyone, everywhere.
All About Mary
NEW! VIDEO DOWNLOAD
Download and view our video about Mary
and Mary's Walk.
Learn how this wonderful day evolved from
a memorial
and tribute
to her life into an important community event
in Southern Maine to help fight cancer throughout the state.
Featuring the Kim Block of WGME Channel 13 and the music of Schooner Fair
To view the full video please click here
An avid walker along Saco’s Main Street, Mary Kerry Libby was well known for her friendly smile, gracious charm and kindness. A much-loved mother of four, wife, sister, daughter and friend, Mary lost her courageous battle with cancer on March 7, 1997 at 44 years of age. The first Mary’s Walk was held on the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day in March 1999. 2007 marks the 9th Annual Mary’s Walk. In the past seven years over ten thousand people have participated in Mary’s Walk and the Kerrymen Pub Road Race. The event has raised over $750,000 for the Maine Cancer Foundation - the exclusive recipient of all funds donated to Mary’s Walk. The walk is held in conjunction with the Kerrymen Pub Road Race, a long-standing event on the road race circuit.
Mary's Family (left to right:)
Jessica, Katie, Gene, Matthew,
Mary and Lindsay |
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Mary’s Walk is an opportunity to remember those lost to cancer and to support those struggling against this deadly disease. All donations support cancer research and patient services through the Maine Cancer Foundation. Mary’s Walk supports cancer research in Maine as one of the primary means of future cancer prevention. It is truly an investment in the future health and well being of all Maine people. |
What does "SLANCHA" mean?
On July 25, 1995 Mary and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Mary had always wanted a sports car so her anniversary surprise was a Honda del Sol. Mary was extremely proud of her Irish ancestry and requested a vanity plate with a Gaelic toast, "Slainte" meaning "to your health" or "to good health." "SLAINTE" was not available so Mary used the phonetic spelling, "Slancha."
Our youngest daughter, Lindsay, now uses her mother's distinctive Gaelic plate.
- Gene Libby |
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