Maine Fellow Gene R. Libby Organizes Mary’s Walk to Raise Millions for Cancer Research

In 1999 Maine Fellow, Gene R. Libby, founded Mary’s Walk, a 501(c)(3) in memory of his late wife, Mary Kerry Libby. An avid walker along Saco ’s Main Street , Mary 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. In the past eleven years over twenty thousand people have participated in Mary’s Walk. The event has raised over one million dollars 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.

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. Maine State Governor John Baldacci has chaired the event the last five years along with a local TV personality, Kim Block. Each year over three hundred volunteers work to plan and organize the event.

Mary's Walk is truly making a difference in funding Maine based cancer research. Since its inception, Mary's Walk has raised over $1,000,000 for cancer research and patient support services in Maine. It is Libby’s 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.

Gene R. Libby is a partner of Libby O’Brien Kingsley & Champion of Kennebunk , Maine . He was a much regarded elected District Attorney in York County from 1981-1985. He later joined a large Portland law firm to operate the York County Office in Kennebunk. He also served as General Counsel and Loss Prevention Officer to the firm. He has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America since 2003 and was named a New England Super Lawyer by his peers in 2007 and 2008. Mr. Libby has also been honored by the Maine Cancer Foundation by receiving the Founders Award in 2006 and the Carroll Award in 2008 in recognition of extraordinary efforts in the fight against cancer. He is a Board member and 2 nd Vice President of the Maine Cancer Foundation.

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.

“Making a difference is really just a short walk away.”

To find out more about Mary’s Walk, please visit the website http://www.maryswalk.org