HAVERHILL — On one special weekend each year, painting contractor Wayne Masse transforms into a superhero — working to save damsels in distress, like his wife, Marcia.
Since every superhero needs a super outfit, he has one. It features wings, but they don't allow him to fly. It isn't designed to help him run faster than a speeding bullet. The long pink angel gown, halo and fuzzy pink slippers would only slow him down.
But when it comes to raising money for breast cancer research and being there for his wife, an 11-year breast cancer survivor, the only super power he needs is the power of love. He does admit to also needing some courage to dance around in his pink outfit along with the other eight or so members of his Pink Angels Posse — the cheering arm of The Pink Angels walking group which raises money for breast cancer research.
"I'll do anything to find a cure and not have to worry about it any longer," said Wayne Masse, 49, of Haverhill.
The Pink Angels have done their part for the cause since beginning their work in 2005. They have just passed the $1 million mark for money collected for the fight against the disease.
The group wears pink because it is the color associated with breast cancer awareness. They call themselves angels because angels help others.
"A saying my mom had was 'I believe in angels and I'm sure that you do, too,'" said Marcia Masse, 54.
The 60 or so members of the group are preparing for their fifth walk this summer. On July 24 in Framingham, at the start of the 2009 Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, Wayne Masse and the rest of the posse will be at the starting line cheering on his wife and her teammates. The walkers take to the course for parts of the three days, and also camp out there.
Some are breast cancer survivors, and some walk for friends or family members. Each must raise $2,300 for the walk. Marcia Masse reached her financial goal by the end of April, through pledges and donations from friends, family and co-workers, and a comedy night fundraiser her friends helped organize.
To further help the cause, Marcia and Wayne Masse hold an annual yard sale at their home in the Riverside section of Haverhill.
"It is about the surrounding communities that have come to the yard sale for the past five years," Marcia Masse said. "When the people arrive at the yard sale, they tell me that they always look forward to it because it is for a great cause. If they buy something for $5 they donate $10."
This year the yard sale brought in $1,078, which Marcia Masse didn't need for the walk, but two of her teammates, Cheryl Matsubara of Lynn and Caitlin Blouin of Lawrence, did need the money to reach their $2,300 goal. So she gave it to them.
"It was an awesome feeling to help out our teammates Cheryl and Caitlin," Marcia Masse said. "We are not just a team that meets to train and walk, but a family that stays in touch through the whole year."
When Marcia Masse joined The Pink Angels in 2005, team captain Joanne Seneta suggested creating the posse. Wayne Masse was its first member.
"I remember what she went through with treatments and surgeries," he said of his wife. "I don't want others to have to go through what she went through."
At the start of this year's walk, he'll be dressed in the same pink angel outfit that Seneta made for him five years ago. Other members of the posse will be at his side. They include Brian Glass of Danvers, who usually dresses as Carmen Miranda, and Gene Seneta, who will be wearing a pink tutu when cheering on his wife Joanne Seneta, a breast cancer survivor. After the start of the walk, Wayne Masse's job is to feed his hungry posse before they continue with their weekend of cheering on The Pink Angel walkers.
Members of the walking team this year include Peter Devereaux, 47, of North Andover. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of 2008 and is currently in treatment. He was surprised to learn men can get breast cancer. This year's walk is his first.
"I didn't even know a guy could get breast cancer," Devereaux said. "It started with a lump in my chest and it traveled to my spine, hip and ribs."
Marcia Masse said it is a joy to have her husband cheering on her and the other walkers.
"It's fun watching him have fun,'' she said. "To have him there supporting me and everybody else, I'm overjoyed by it. He's there for me, and he's there for all of us.''
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Anyone wishing to support The Pink Angels in the 2009 Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day walk is asked to visit online at www.thepinkangels.org and click on "links" at the top of the screen.
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