Fundraising For Charity

The 17th annual Tri for a Cure, the Maine Cancer Foundation’s all-women’s triathlon fundraiser, is underway in South Portland.Every year, more than 1,300 women participate in event at the Southern Maine Community College campus.The opening ceremonies started shortly before 6:50 a.m., when American Idol’s Julia Gagnon, a Maine native, made a surprise appearance and performance.Watch Gagnon sing “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” a soul classic made famous by Aretha Franklin, in the video player below. Gagnon later performed the national anthem during the opening ceremony.This year’s Tri for a Cure has raised a record-breaking $2.13 million for the Maine Cancer Foundation. The event has raised more than $22 million overall for cancer research.”It is the highest fundraising number we have ever seen in 17 years,” said Julie Marchese, who co-founded Tri for a Cure in 2008 and is serving as race director for the final time.Before the race, Marchese was presented with a plaque that will be permanently placed at the Tri for a Cure finish line in her honor.The Tri for a Cure triathlon consists of a 1/3-mile swim, 15-mile bike ride and 3-mile run. Watch the video below to hear from the Maine’s Total Coverage team participating in this year’s Tri for a Cure.