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A walker's diary

No caffeine, so she must go on pure hope, drive

By JUDY LUDIN
Published October 8, 2005

	Judy Ludin.
	Day 1: Packing a duffel bag full of hope for a cure Photo gallery

Judy Ludin, 47, is one of the thousands walking 60 miles around the Tampa Bay area to fight breast cancer. She is writing a daily diary. The Largo resident raised more than $5,000 for the cause by word of mouth and sending e-mails to family and friends. She was inspired by her sister, Debbie Sokolov, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June. Two years ago, her mother, Marietta Drucker, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Ludin and her husband, Eric, a lawyer, have two sons, Joshua, 16, and Jacob, 14. She is an executive for public relations and communications for Menorah Manor, a geriatric center in St. Petersburg. Here is her account of her first day of the walk.

I can definitely say that my day ended on a much higher note than it started.

I didn't sleep well - nerves, I suppose - so I knew I needed a strong cup of coffee as soon as possible. I scooped the beans into the coffee maker, poured in the water, but forgot to put in the basket to catch the grinds. Coffee grinds flew all over the kitchen. So much for the coffee. That was how my three-day adventure began.

The opening ceremony, held at Coachman Park in Clearwater, featured a group of survivors who each spoke and then formed an incomplete circle to symbolize those who didn't survive. I looked around and saw a sea of faces, a sea of stories, a sea of hope. We all held hands and raised our hands to the heavens.

At 7:30 a.m., we left Coachman Park and headed south. Unfortunately, it was raining, but my partner in the walk, Gail Warren, and I were excited and finally on our way. I felt energized. There were many things along the way to break the boredom of walking. There were women sporting everything from tiaras, boas and pink tutus to pink cowboy hats and balloons. I heard people talking about mothers, sisters and friends who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I saw a woman "whooping" it up when I commented that I wished I had her energy. I found out this energetic lady had had chemo Thursday.

My sister, Debbie Sokolov, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, and my friend Emily Gurtman, a 15-year breast cancer survivor, surprised me with a visit at the first "cheering station" in Seminole. I couldn't hug them tight enough. They had both been through so much. The least I could do was walk.

Another big highlight of the day was when I reached the cheering station in St. Petersburg at 2 p.m. and there were 15 of my Menorah Manor colleagues waiting to cheer Gail and me on. That was an important boost, much needed at mile 14.8.

At 6 p.m., we arrived at Bartlett Park in St. Petersburg, 23 miles from the opening ceremony. My feet were raw, but so were my emotions. I have never felt so tired in my life, but I have also never felt so committed. My tent was finally up, among hundreds of others, and my mission Friday night was to eat, hydrate and sleep, hopefully. I am not sure how I will get up and do this again, but I am surrounded by many determined women and men, so I will walk. Again.

To raise money to fight breast cancer, more than 2,000 walkers wearing pink wristbands are covering 60 miles in three days. Participants began walking Friday in Clearwater to St. Petersburg and will finish in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium. Each walker has raised at least $2,100.

While there have been numerous shorter walks and races, this weekend's Breast Cancer 3-Day is a first for the Tampa Bay area. Money raised will go to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fund breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

[Last modified October 10, 2005, 09:22:36]