The 8th Annual Tri for a Cure 2015

As the Presenting Sponsor for Maine Cancer Foundation’s Tri for a Cure, WEX is proud to demonstrate our support of this event and its participants as they swim, bike, and run to fight cancer in the state of Maine. On Sunday, July 26, more than 1,400 women and thousands of their supporters will participate in this life-changing event, with 100% of the proceeds going to Maine Cancer Foundation and its mission to end cancer in the state.

Why Maine Tri‘s Harder

What makes this event and donations—100% of which goes directly to the Maine Cancer Foundation — so important? Consider these facts (via Tri for a Cure News):

• Maine has the Highest Cancer Rates in New England: 181 deaths per 100,000
• 1 in 4 people will receive a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime: There has been some progress: mortality rates have declined 13% since the year 2000. There’s still a long way to go, but we won’t quit.
• Cancer is the Number 1 Killer in Maine: An estimated 34% of all deaths in Maine are cancer-related.

The Tri for a Cure turned 8 this year. This time, your compassionate support has:

• Raised almost $8.2 million to aid 85 different cancer initiatives
• Funded 280+ patient programs
• Supported 77 research grants
• Positively impacted the lives of many thousands of Maine citizens with cancer.

To see how Maine Cancer Foundation supports cancer research, including research distribution, research grants, and nonprofit reviews, see the Tri for a Cure Dashboard.

WEX Presenting Sponsor of Tri for a Cure

As the Presenting Sponsor for the Tri for a Cure, we are excited to see thousands of athletes and supporters coming out each year. WEX has contributed more than $217,000 since the events inception. Dozens of WEX employees have participated and also volunteered countless hours at the Tri for a Cure and have helped raise about $30,000 for the Maine Cancer Foundation through their ongoing support.

However, there is much more to our sponsorship than just the money.

In a recent article in Maine Women, our president and CEO, Melissa Smith, sat down to talk about her experience as a participant, supporter, and leader of the company sponsoring the event.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see hundreds of women gathered at the start of the race, some of them cancer survivors, many of them attempting their first triathlon, and all with a fierce desire to end cancer,” said Smith, who participated in the Tri for her seventh time this year.

Learn more about Smith’s participation in and support for the Tri for a Cure in a Q&A featured in Maine Women.

Not only are we providing monetary support and volunteers at this year’s Tri for a Cure, many of our very own employees participated, including Kendra Jarratt, who participated in and won the 2013 triathlon before taking last year off.

Learn more about Kendra’s story, as well as the story of leading fundraiser Dana Lesniak by watching the WMTW 8 News feature.

Important Links

• Tri for a Cure Home Page