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Letter to the editor

Sisterhood rejoices

By MIKE DONILA and TAMARA EL-KHOURY, Times Staff Writers
Published October 22, 2007

Walkers of the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk are greeted by hundreds of supporters during closing ceremonies. This year the Tampa Bay region raised 5.4 million dollars.
	[Atoyia Deans | Times]

Jennifer Gulick, 32, of Largo lost her mom to breast cancer in 1992. This year's walk was her fourth time participating in the event. At her first event in 2001, she met Nicole Henn, 35, of St. Petersburg. They've walked together ever since. Henn was even a bridesmaid in Gulick's wedding in 2005.

"It wasn't until I found the 3-Day that I found something that made me feel less powerless," Gulick said.

Henn couldn't explain the bond that takes place during 60 miles of walking.

"You've got to walk," she said. "You'll figure it out once you walk."

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Wanda Link, 50, of North Carolina is a 10-month survivor. She lost an aunt to the disease two years ago and a friend a year ago. On Sunday, she walked with her daughter.

"If just the steps that I took and the blisters that I have helps find a cure, then it's worth it," she said.

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Kathy Fabbri, 48, of Tampa was diagnosed with breast cancer in May. She had surgery in June. Sunday, she completed the Breast Cancer 3-Day. "I promised myself if I could walk 60 miles, be that strong, then I sure as hell can beat the s--- out of cancer," she said.

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Denise McCaughan, 43, of Palmetto was one of six members of team "Save Our Ta-Ta's." The blisters on her feet became so bad during the walk that her credentials were taken away and she was told not to walk anymore. She cried. She has been training since June. Her friend had a double mastectomy, her mother-in-law is a survivor. She completed 32 miles and was limping through the finish line Sunday.

"This is the most emotional thing I've ever done," she said.

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Jenny Fink, 53, of Miami Beach walked to the finish line in a pack of other breast cancer survivors.

"I want to give back to everybody that's given to me," she said.

And Fink, who will be a four- year survivor in February, said she wanted to walk because she can.

1,900+ Number of walkers

1,700 Number of walkers in 2006

340 Number of volunteers

$5.4-million Amount of money raised this year

$4.7-million Amount of money raised in 2006

12 Number of walks held around the country

3 Number of days of the Tampa Bay event

6 0Number of circuitous miles walked in this year's event

It's not a race. But rather a slow stride toward eliminating breast cancer, said sponsors of the third annual Tampa Bay Breast Cancer 3-Day. "What we see over and over again is that this event not only raises money, but raises hope, too," said Jenne Fromm, national spokeswoman for the Breast Cancer 3-Day. The Tampa Bay walk kicked off Friday morning in Clearwater and wrapped up Sunday afternoon in downtown St. Petersburg. The series this year kicked off in Boston in August and ends in mid November in San Diego. The next stop: Dallas.  Proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund breast cancer research and community outreach, as well as the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, to provide an endowment for breast cancer initiatives. For information, visit www.the3day.org.

[Last modified October 21, 2007, 23:24:42]