By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

A year ago, Louise Hurlbutt sat in a hospital isolation unit, holding a team hat in her hands while friends walked to raise money in her honor.

This year, Hurlbutt, 67, will speak about her experiences with breast cancer before taking to the road in the 12^th annual Mary’s Walk in Saco. By her side will be friend and fellow Kennebunk business owner Bonnie Clement, who is undergoing treatment for stage 2 breast cancer.

Hurlbutt, who owns Hurlbutt Designs in Kennebunk’s Lower Village, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 2 breast cancer last year, on the same day her sister was diagnosed with cancer. Clement, 57, was diagnosed in August with the same form of cancer and both women underwent treatment that included surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and an experimental drug. Using the drug elevated their cure rate to 85 percent, Hurlbutt said.

“We are very fortunate this is our diagnosis,” she said. “We’ve been able to hold on to hope, to say we can do this.”

Hurlbutt and Clement said they want to help others by sharing their stories of battling cancer. Emphasizing the importance of early detection through digital mammograms and raising money for research are essential to finding a cure for cancer and saving lives, they said.

All money from Mary’s Walk and the Kerrymen Pub Road Race benefits the Maine Cancer Foundation in Portland. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Sunday at Thornton Academy with registration and a community gathering for life featuring Gov. John Baldacci and Hurlbutt.

Mary’s Walk is named for Mary Jude Kerry Libby, from Saco who died of cancer on March 7, 1997. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $1.2 million for cancer research in Maine.

The Kennebunk community, friends, clients and family all have donated money to Team Hurlbutt and HB Provisions, many donating in memory of family members with cancer, Hurlbutt said. Team Hurlbutt was the top fundraising team for last year’s event and brought in $13,900.

Keeping research money in Maine is an important aspect of the event, said Peter King, manager of special events for the cancer foundation.

“The community really rallies around family and friends to support the mission of the Maine Cancer Foundation,” he said. “It’s local people supporting local research.”

In addition to supporting local research, the community turned out in force to support Hurlbutt and Clement. Hurlbutt said that kind of support is needed as patients navigate through a period that is emotionally and physically draining.

“You ride these waves up and down of emotion,” she said.

While Hurlbutt was undergoing treatment, a friend created a healing garden in front of her business. Another friend brought balloons and a dart gun to her house after each chemotherapy session as a fun way to count down treatments, she said.

Though often left exhausted by treatments, Hurlbutt said she chose to embrace the gifts she was given with her cancer diagnosis. After her first treatment, she came home to find an e-mail from her son with a photo of his newly shaved head.

Her son also moved his wife and baby daughter to Maine for three months so Hurlbutt could spend time with them during treatments. Her daughter drove from New York City to Maine for each of her mother’s chemotherapy treatments.

For Clement, the cancer journey provided gifts in the forms of a renewed friendship and discovery of her strength while facing a difficult situation. A friend who had drifted away is the “biggest gift” because she came back and has stood by Clement’s side since the beginning of treatment, which is expected to end in August, she said.

Clement said it seemed as if doctors were talking about someone else as they explained her cancer diagnosis. After shedding a few tears, she said she decided to educate herself on treatment options and focus on getting better. She went straight to Hurlbutt for advice and was seeing the same doctor at Mercy Hospital within days.

“You’ve got to take the bull by the horn and say ‘I’m going to be strong for myself,’” Clement said.

Throughout the past year, Clement and Hurlbutt have found inspiration in stories they hear of other people fighting cancer. Hurlbutt said she will walk in honor of all those who are fighting cancer, especially her friend Beth Suzor, a Kennebunk Savings Bank employee undergoing treatment.

“It’s grace and gratitude I want to give back to people,” Hurlbutt said. “Hope has to be the guide for you, you can’t give up hope. Today we’re walking for everyone who has cancer.”

They will also be celebrating.

“I’m celebrating life,” Hurlbutt said. “This is my celebration of life.”

“It’s also a celebration of where we are with cancer treatment today,” Clement added. “We are survivors of the treatment. We’re living proof donating money to this cause is critical.”

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.