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

A joyous 17th annual Tri for a Cure happened today in South Portland, Maine where over 1,300 women lined up for the largest triathlon in the state to swim, bike, and run for a great cause. 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.

WEX’s long-standing connection with the Tri

For the last 13 years, WEX has held the Presenting Sponsor title in support of the annual competition. As a show of support, 31 WEX employees participated in the Tri this year. In the early years, many WEXers had personal ties to the event through other organization affiliations. These early organic relationships have contributed to the enduring partnership between WEX and the Maine Cancer Foundation. WEXers participated, volunteered, and fundraised and this year WEX’s 31 athletes raised over $55,000 for the cause including WEX matching funds for employee contributions. Over the last decade plus, WEX and participating WEXers have now raised over $800,000 for the Tri for a Cure.

The Maine Cancer Foundation – WEX’s community partner

The Maine Cancer Foundation (MCF) was founded in 1976 when Mainers recognized the need to establish an organization aimed at fighting cancer here in Maine. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Maine, and its effects are felt in every county. MCF initially focused on funding research, but in the past few years has transitioned its resources to also 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, and MCF’s support goes 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 $22 million, all of which has gone directly back into the 16 counties that make up the State of Maine.

WEXers at the Tri and a special year for participants

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. WEX Chair, CEO, and President Melissa Smith describes this triathlon as different from any other for her personally and for many of the WEXers participating: “Since its founding 17 years ago the overwhelmingly positive energy at the Tri for a Cure is a humbling and moving experience for participants and spectators alike. Watching survivors emerge out of the water, jump on bikes, and run across the finish line is an inspiration for everyone involved. This year many of us raced for WEX with our hearts full for a longtime colleague and friend who has recently been battling cancer. We all pushed a little bit harder today with this very special woman in our thoughts.”

Participating in the tri makes this dedicated WEX swimmer proud to work for WEX

WEX Tri co-captain Molly Steele, on her seventh Tri, along with co-captain Robyn Campbell-Morneault, focuses on inclusion and encouraging others to join in the fun. When Molly first participated in the Tri at WEX she was part of a relay and then raced the whole event: the swim, the bike, and the run until 2022. “Oftentimes when women think about doing a triathlon they are stopped dead in their tracks at the thought of swimming in the open ocean,” shares Molly. She realized she could make a difference for her friends and colleagues at WEX by taking the swim portion out of the equation for fearful participants. 

For the past three years Molly has encouraged reticent colleagues to participate by forming a relay team with Molly as the swimmer. The first year she did it for WEX colleague Amy Novak who was recovering from multiple surgeries and treatments post her cancer diagnosis and didn’t feel strong enough to do all the legs. Molly stepped in to help so Amy could still participate on a relay. Molly promised Amy that when she got to the end of the race she’d want to do the whole thing the following year. Sure enough, Amy is on her fourth Tri and is now an individual contributor, as has been the case with others Molly has helped along the way.  This kind of support and camaraderie solidifies WEXers’ commitment to the company and to participating in events like the Tri.

New Mainer and first time triathlete energized by the experience

Rebecca Triglianos moved to Maine just a few years ago and now leads Corporate Events at WEX. “I am inspired by WEX’s culture of philanthropy and community engagement. As a new Mainer and a new WEXer, participating in WEX-sponsored activities like the United We CAN Food Drive + Sculpture Contest, Downhill 24, and Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Day are among my favorite experiences. I’ve met the most wonderful people through WEX’s social impact, and it feels great to connect with colleagues and community members.”

As a first-time participant, Rebecca is on a relay team racing in the run portion with two other WEXers, Stella Hills and Rebecca Blaesing, and is looking forward to her first 5K and cheering on her teammates. “I am so proud to participate in the Tri and feel very lucky to share the day with this incredible community of women.”

This WEX athlete has been a participant since nearly the beginning

WEXer Robyn Campbell-Morneault is celebrating her 16th year as an athlete and fundraiser for Maine’s Tri for a Cure. For many of those years – eight to be exact – Robyn has muscled through every leg of the Tri. An athlete her whole life, Robyn is primarily a runner and has a number of half-marathons, mud runs, and spartan runs under her belt. She didn’t really ever consider herself much of a swimmer, but now she jumps into the icy cold ocean at least once a year off Bug Light in South Portland, Maine for the swim leg of the Tri. 

Robyn plays a special role as a WEX Tri team co-captain with colleague Molly Steele. Their main goal as captains is to encourage as many women at WEX as possible to participate. This year WEX included some remote participants on the Tri team from Brazil and far afield in the U.S. in places like Eastern Pennsylvania. “With remote participation, what started as a fluke during COVID has become a special aspect of the Tri for us as a global company. What was once something only local WEXers could participate in is now open to our community of over 7,000 WEXers all across EMEA and APAC and the farthest reaches of the United States.”

Long-time WEXer, first time triathlete

Rebecca Blaesing, a WEXer for 11 years, and an art director for the company, has always been a huge participant and organizer of community events for WEX. Her involvement makes her a go-to person whenever someone is thinking of putting together an event and seeks tips and tricks from a planning veteran. But somehow, despite all her involvement, the Tri for a Cure event has eluded Rebecca… Until now! This year, Rebecca will be swimming in the Tri on a relay team with Rebecca Triglianos and Stella Hills, and has been training with swim experts in her family, one of whom is a cancer survivor. 

True to form, at the annual United Way Canned Food Drive and Sculpture Contest in September 2023, Robyn Campbell-Morneault was recruiting for the Tri that would take place almost a year later. Rebecca, swept away by the glory of WEX winning an award in the can sculpture contest, committed on the spot to a swim leg. Despite the lack of a competitive swimming background, Rebecca has been buoyed by the embrace of the WEX Tri community, and is proud of WEX for its consistent support of great causes.

Rebecca is carrying a list with her while she races — names of loved ones who have fought cancer, including a dear childhood friend she lost in 2017. She’s grateful for the opportunity to raise money for this cause. “In participating in the Tri, I’m able to do something concrete to support finding a cure for cancer, and at the same time be inspired by survivors, honor loved ones, and be a part of this wonderful WEX team.”

Employee engagement in meaningful community events.

An important part of WEX’s work is an enduring focus on its mission and values with an eye on employees carrying that torch – passionate about WEX and wanting to support the same causes. The Tri brings together people who are impacted in some way by cancer, and people who are willing to take an active role in doing something about it. 

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 Rebecca, Molly, Rebecca, Amy, and Robyn 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.

If you’re interested in working for a a dynamic and nimble global organization, please visit WEX’s career page.

Resources:
Tri for a Cure
Maine Cancer Foundation

A special thank you to Robyn Campbell-Morneault, Molly Steele, Amy Novak, Rebecca Blaesing, and Rebecca Triglianos for sharing their stories and perspectives. Thank you also to the 31 WEXers who came out today and swam, biked, and ran to help ease the burden of cancer treatment for Mainers all across the state. And one final thank you to Melissa Dudley and Amy Elkaliouby who annually quietly and seamlessly guide us all through this event behind the scenes.