This will be my third time participating in the Susan G. Komen
3-Day walk in Seattle, WA. This year we are proud to have
Legac
y Ford of
Tri-Cities be the sponsor for our team. The walk is 3
days long and we walk 20 miles a day to help raise funds for
Breast Cancer Research. Fundraising for this event is not for
the meek hearted, but knowing that 75% of the funds raised will go
directly to research is well worth the effort.
I always get comments from people such as "why would you want to
walk that far" or " wow, that is a lot of money to raise, why do
you do that?" For every one of the thousands of women and men
who walk to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer the answer
is different. For me, so far, I am one of the lucky ones who
does not have breast cancer. But I have had some very dear
friends and my aunt who have been diagnosed with the disease.
I have watched them all as they have courageously gone to battle,
some have won and some have lost.
When I think about walking 60 miles
in 3 days I know it is no big deal when compared to having to walk
the same path as a woman diagnosed with breast cancer.
When I get tired of raising funds I know it is no big deal
when compared to what a breast cancer patient has to ask of her
family and friends when fighting her battle.
While breast cancer research gets the benefit of my fund
raising, I too get a benefit. The experience of the walk is
something a person can never put into words. You laugh, cry,
share, make many new friends and strengthen ties with your
teammates. The 3-Day walk is a life altering
experience. I am looking forward to leading a team of first
time walkers and watching and sharing in their very first and I
suspect not their last 3-day walk.
I walk because I have six sisters, three daughters, and
many nieces and want the cure to be there for them should they
ever need it. I walk because I know that the money and awareness I
raise will one day lead to a cure.
Theresa Long
More information on the race & Theresa's Team, Legacy Ford
- Tri-Cities can be found at:
Susan G. Komen 3-Day
During August & September, we'll highlight each of the
team members, and you'll meet the entire team on the cover of the
October/November issue!