Six local women are making their way to Boston, Mass. for the annual Breast Cancer 3-day walk.
Joyce Nebush, Deborah Donahue, Ivy De Jesus, Renee Kolwaite, Yvonne Winters and Suzette Sullivan, also known as the “Peace of Hope” team, will be taking part in the 60-mile walk for the first time.
The walk is being held Aug. 15-17 and benefits the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which receives 85 percent of the net proceeds raised. Every advancement in breast cancer research, treatment, education and prevention in the last 25 years has been touched by a Komen for the Cure grant. The remaining 15 percent of net funds goes to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, which provides ongoing support to breast cancer initiatives.
Donahue says the team wanted to get involved to help everyone suffering from the disease.
“It’s just the fact that there’s so many women that are suffering from breast cancer and this seemed like something that we could do to make a difference,” Donahue said.
Donahue added that the same week she made the decision to participate in the walk her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“That’s when we knew we were doing this for a reason,” Donahue said.
Each participant in the walk must raise at least $2,200 to participate, for the team that’s $13,200.
For that to happen the team is holding many fund-raisers.
On June 8 there will be a breakfast buffet from 8 a.m. to noon at the Ilion VFW on Acme Road in Frankfort. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet and it’s $6 for adults, $4 for children and under three eat for free.
Donahue said that the Ladies Auxiliary at the VFW were kind enough to donate the hall to the team for the breakfast and they also donated $500 to the team for the walk.
Each of the team members also wrote a letter which they sent out to everyone they know asking for donations to the team, which has generated a lot of donations.
“The donations have kind of taken off,” Donahue said. “At first they were trickling in and now they just seem to be pouring in.”
The team is still a ways away from reaching its goal though, Donahue said.
The team is also raffling off a few items such as a handmade 35 by 50 quilt, Christmas tree skirt and two Adirondack chairs.
The team began the process of getting ready for the walk in January when they filled out forms and sent in registrations. By March the weather got nicer and the team could begin its training.
“We try to walk together as a team at least once a week,” Donahue said. “We do a lot of walking individually or with two or three of us.”
The team is up to 12 miles, which they plan to walk today.
“It’s like the Boilermaker except it’s split up over 3 days,” Donahue said.
The group is expected to walk 25 miles the first day, 20 the second day and 15 the third day.
According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, more than 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. One in eight women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
To donate to the “Peace of Hope” team, visit www.the3day.org and click on Donate Now and search for the personal fund-raising page of any of the participants. Donations can also be phoned in at 800-996-3DAY. All donations are tax deductible.
Boston, Mass. —
