Tag Archives: breast cancer

The Virgin Walkers of Atlanta

“I was just hearing about breast cancer all the time as a stylist,” said Sandy, a hair stylist in Mobile, Alabama. She called up her best friend Elizabeth to propose walking the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® to raise money for breast cancer research.

“I said ‘no’ at first!” recalled Elizabeth, while they both rested at lunch in the suburbs north of Atlanta on Day 2. They laughed despite some aches and pains, but seemed to be enjoying the walk, having finished more than 30 miles total. “I am doing the walk for my grandmother who passed away: today would have been 94 years old!”

Elizabeth and Sandy on the last day of the Atlanta 3-Day

The two women are among a large contingent of first-time Komen 3-Day walkers here in Atlanta, Georgia. They walk a total of 60 miles over three days and have each raised over $2300 for breast cancer research and awareness. In the 3-Day community, they are often playfully dubbed “Virgin Walkers.” After a full 21 miles on Day 1, and 19.3 miles on Day 2, they are ‘newbies’ no more. Elizabeth and Sandy are lucky to have someone else to walk with, but many show up to walk the challenging course without knowing anyone. ‘Riding solo,’ these brave souls often meet other teams and individuals to walk with.

Kathryn and Gloriela get ready for Day 2 on the Atlanta 3-Day

Gloriela, originally from Panama and living now in Atlanta, met up with another first-time walker, Kathryn, on the route on Day 1. “Opening Ceremony was so inspirational,” mentioned Gloriela at breakfast at the start of Day 2 in Atlanta. “I love the organization of the whole process, and I love the motorcycles and bikers who help keep us safe. They dance, turn on music, and cheer for us.” Kathryn remembered her sweet friend who passed away from breast cancer about the same time her son was born. They felt better having met each other and found someone to walk with!

Jasmin, Brailey, Alex, and Krista stop in Piedmont Park (with unidentified photobomber-walker)

Some first-time walkers are initiated into teams that have been walking for awhile. “Oh, he’s hurting. He’s hurting real bad,” laughed Krista, Jasmin, and Brailey about their new recruit Alex. Their team, Project Perk, was founded four years ago by Jasmin who started walking to honor her grandmother. Krista then got Alex to join the team who had made the comment, “It’s just walking!” On Day 3 in Piedmont Park, he laughed, agreeing that he was hurting. The team was in good spirits, though, and looked to finish the 60-mile route strong.

Jennifer and Lorie, two first-time walkers on the Atlanta 3-Day, stopped long enough to sum up the event: “Twelve girls, eight blisters, three days, two trips to the medical tent, and one great event.” Their supportive team was decked out in pink wigs on the last day of the event and were cruising along.

Jennifer and Lorie are first-time walkers embedded in their supportive team

First-time walkers are well loved on the 3-Day, and even if they are alone when they start, they are soon swept up by a team and made one of their one. The spirit of the 3-Day is that everyone wins and that everyone does the best they can! See you at Closing Ceremony at Turner Field!

Let Lindsay Inspire You

Lindsay rests during the Susan G. Komen Washington, D.C. 3-Day event

Lindsay rests during the Susan G. Komen Washington, D.C. 3-Day event

When I first saw Lindsay R on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® in Washington, D.C. this year, she was sitting quietly in the corner of an outside building at a lunch stop. It had been a very long morning for the 60-mile walkers, and Day 1 of the Komen 3-Day was turning into a deluge. Soaked to the core, Lindsay had joined the rest of the walkers under the protection of a roof as they changed into dry socks, ate lunch, and bandaged blisters.

And no one complained.

Lindsay seemed shy as I stole a picture of her, the pink of her outfit matching the pink of the large flag she was carrying in the rain, which read “COURAGE.” Many of the walkers choose to carry flags along the route, but I was distracted and did not get to ask her about why she was walking. Day 1 of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day ended with rain on top of more rain, and the walkers, Lindsay included, plowed on the streets for Day 2 and the second leg of 20 miles. It wasn’t until the camp show on Saturday night that I realized my first impression of Lindsay was misguided.

Lindsay takes the stage to tell her story on the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

Lindsay takes the stage to tell her story on the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

“My name is Lindsay and I am a survivor!” Lindsay had the attention of hundreds of people in an instant. “On Friday, April 13, 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.” The audience was fully present as she described her ordeal of trying to find help. No one believed that she could have cancer, and her frustration seemed to have boiled over. “I felt so incredibly alone in my situation. It was one of the darkest, loneliest times of my life.” She told of her connection to another 3-Day family member, Bridget Spence, whose words gave her the “ability to keep hope alive and to live life, really live life.”

Lindsay inspires the crowd of hundreds at Saturday's Camp Show

Lindsay inspires the crowd of hundreds at Saturday’s Camp Show

Her voiced boomed through the darkness in the Washington, D.C. night as the electrified crowd jumped to its feet. “CANCER WILL NOT BE THE END OF ME! Let me say that one more time. CANCER WILL NOT BE THE END OF ME!” To punctuate her attitude, she joined the crowd in the celebration of searching for a cure for breast cancer by dancing into the night. The experience of seeing her soul open as this transition from quiet, courageous walker to powerful advocate for hope was inspirational to the core.

From all of those fighting for a cure for breast cancer, we salute you Lindsay! Thank you for your inspiration!

Lindsay is all smiles at Pit Stop 1 on the last day of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

Lindsay is all smiles at Pit Stop 1 on the last day of the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

The crowd moves to the traditional Saturday night dance party at the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

The crowd moves to the traditional Saturday night dance party at the Washington, D.C. 3-Day

Riley and Alexa Roll On

“On July 31, 2012, I lost my best friend, my sister, Kathi.”

Riley W is walking for her sister, a promise she made Kathi. “I intend on keeping those promises [to walk every year] for us until the day comes when we are together again,” says Riley. “I will talk about the importance of getting checked whenever and wherever I am.” Riley and Kathi had walked together in 2010 for their grandmother who they lost to breast cancer, for their cousin who is a survivor, for friends who have lost the battle, and for all those who carry on! Riley had no idea in those first years that she would be continuing her personal crusade for her sister.

Riley and Alexa prepare for the Philadelphia 3-Day

Riley and Alexa prepare for the Philadelphia 3-Day

“After our 2010 3-Day walk, Kathi was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. In 2012, I walked for her,” remembers Riley. Riley’s niece and Kathi’s daughter, Alexa, is also joining her on this Philadelphia 3-Day event, her third year on Youth Corps, that feisty group of yellow-shirted youngsters who keep the energy high and do some serious help along the route and in camp. Youth Corps members have to raise $500, and Alexa holds the title of Top Crew Fundraiser for the last two years. The Crew on a 3-Day event includes hundreds of adult volunteers who make the event run! (Riley and Alexa combined this year will top $29,000!)

Riley is attacked by Alexa, her niece, and friends at the Philadelphia 3-Day

Riley, in her pink cowboy boots, is attacked by Alexa, her niece, and friends at the Philadelphia 3-Day

Alexa and her aunt Riley have a special relationship, as evidenced by their greetings that Riley gets from her niece and her friends as we talk. Riley has tried hard to stay close to her niece. “I can never and don’t try to replace her mother,” says Riley, “but I try to do more than a good aunt would do. She knows she can call me about anything.” That often means that Alexa could call while Riley is on the road, playing at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville (her current home), or on the road acting or working in the film and television industry. Riley’s talents have included more than acting and writing scripts, as she continues to be a singer-songwriter in the country scene around Nashville and the country.

Riley and Alexa pose for a picture with Youth Corps friends

Riley and Alexa pose for a picture with Youth Corps friends

The aunt-niece team is truly a pair of friends to behold. Riley was asked to delight the crowd at this year’s Philadelphia 3-Day, so she will share some songs while the walkers relax and eat dinner at camp. When I pushed her about some of her music, she mentioned that she did write a special song around the time her sister was doing poorly in her fight for breast cancer. “I was having this ‘why are doing this’ kind of moments, and I thought of the lines ‘We’ve been in a war . . . and I’m thinkin’ you won.’ My sister loved the being played to her for the first time in the hospital, well after visiting hours. She said, ‘Turn it up! Everyone has to hear this!’ She wanted it played at her funeral, but I had to record it as a backup in case I was too emotional to sing it.” I asked if there were other songs of hers that Kathi loved.

“One other one,” Riley smiled. “Surrender laughing.” Remembering Kathi has been at the center of the 3-Day events for them, but they are far from surrendering the fight to find a cure. Say hello to this powerhouse family in Philadelphia this weekend!

Alexa carries the flag "My Mother" at the 2013 Philadelphia Opening Ceremony

Alexa carries the flag “My Mother” at the 2013 Philadelphia Opening Ceremony