"Maureen's Marauders" Walks Against The Tide

Some people run, walk, swim, and kayak for fun, self-enjoyment. Then there are those who will pull themselves off the couch if it's for a good cause. Melrose resident Kate Flynn, 22, is one of the latter.

Young, blond, enthusiastic and healthy herself — but not a tri-athlete — Flynn's motivated for two reasons to participate in the 18th annual statewide "Against the Tide," a breast cancer awareness and fundraising event to be held Saturday, June 19 at Hopkinton State Park in Hopkinton.

A student at Suffolk University, Flynn has been interning since October 2009 with Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC), the organizer of the event. MBCC, a statewide grassroots advocacy organization, challenges all obstacles to the eradication of breast cancer.

"MBCC's main goal is prevention," Flynn said.

Flynn added that MBCC's Not One More campaign (Not One More Woman, Not One More Generation) is the organization's focus. She said that one in seven women are diagnosed with the breast cancer and that the average age at diagnosis continues to decrease.

Her second reason is more personal. In 2003, she lost her aunt Maureen at the age of 45 to breast cancer. There is no history of breast cancer in her family.

"It's become a big issue now," Flynn said. "My aunt Maureen left behind two daughters. Everyone worries. You're constantly left wondering."

Kate recalls what she saw not only her family go through, but especially her grandmother.

"I can't imagine what it must be like to lose a child at any age," she said. "I remember seeing my grandmother months after my aunt's passing, and it was like she was missing a piece of herself. You are never the same. It changes who you are on such a deep level."

She said that MBCC's goal of prevention is what motivated her to start "Maureen's Marauders," a walk team made up of her family. Her cousin, Christine, is walking, and her two young children will follow along. Also, Flynn's uncle David, Maureen's husband, is walking with their three children Meghan, 23, Tommy, 22, and Sarah, 15.

In addition to Flynn, her sister Kelly, 18, a recent Melrose High School Class of 2010 graduate, will walk alongside their mother Jen and father Bob, Maureen's brother.

"Even my aunt Kerry, my dad's and Maureen's sister, is coming up from Westchester County in New York, to walk with her five kids who range in age from three to twelve," she said. "Maureen's Marauders was created in memory of my aunt, but also as a symbol of strength for every family who has lost someone that they love, so that together we can raise money to prevent history from repeating itself.

"My aunt left behind three wonderful children and a husband who misses her every single day of his life," she continued. "This is a trend that absolutely cannot continue into the future."

What Flynn likes about the event is that, in addition to raising awareness and funds, it's a multi-sport event that lets participants choose what they participate in and how.

"Participants can choose two of four events to do and all proceeds go towards breast cancer research," she explained. "What's especially great about this is that you don't have to be a great athlete. You can either do it recreationally, like I am, or competitively. There's a one-mile swim, two-mile kayak, three-mile fitness walk, and 5K run."

Currently, about 220 people are registered for the event. Flynn's family team to date has raised $3,500. MBCC is asking that mothers and children register for one of the Against the Tide events and join the "Mothers Walk Team for Breast Cancer Prevention."

"I just don't want my children to have to worry about me dying, or them," Flynn stressed. "This has to stop as soon as possible."

To join Kate Flynn's efforts toward breast cancer prevention you can email her at Kflynn28@hotmail.com, or visit Maureen's Marauders at www.firstgiving.com/mbcc to read her family's inspiring stories about their journey to raise money.