Julie Marchese’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. Then years later, Marchese received her own diagnosis—she had cancer, too. A year after the news, Marchese decided she would race in a triathlon. Her motivated spirit propelled Marchese to present an idea to the Maine Cancer Foundation: an all-women’s triathlon in Maine. “They thought I was kidding,” she says. “But they soon realized that I was not.” That first year Tri for a Cure sold out in six weeks, with 500 women who raised $275,000. Since then the event has grown, and in seven years has raised close to $5.5 million. Marchese grew up in Maine. She worked for years in the family business, Jordan’s Meats, with her father, Joseph “Chet” Jordan. She left the state for college but soon returned to where her roots are, in Maine. After competing in her first triathlon, she realized her real passion— raising money to find a cure for cancer. She is currently the chief inspirational officer at Inspired Events, an event planning company, and co-owner and managing partner of sheJAMs, LLC, a fitness training program for women. Marchese has been awarded Maine Cancer Foundation’s Founders Award and Spirit of Life Award.