There are many teams participating in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and Team Envision A Cure is truly an inspiration. This Cleveland team is consists of 5 driven walkers – 3 veterans and 2 rookies. They have all taken the time to answer a few questions about why the 3-Day for the Cure® is such an important event to them and they offer some truly heartfelt and inspiring moments in their battle against breast cancer.

Sue Lynch

Why are you walking?

In 2008 I had dedicated my walk to my dear friend Mary and her daughter Katie.  Mary lost her daughter Katie to breast cancer at age 31.  Katie was a wonderful women, mother, daughter, wife and friend.  Katie was a courageous warrior to the bitter end.  I realized that my list of friends with breast cancer was growing (Lucinda, Carolyn, Susan, Suzanne, Karen just to name a few) and I had to do something.  I’m not a Doctor or Scientist so obviously I’m not in the position to find a cure but by participating in the 3-Day for the Cure I can help those who can by raising funds to support research that will eventually lead to a cure.  I don’t want to get that phone call from my daughter, sister, friend with the news that the beast has struck again.  I just can’t sit around and wait for a cure without doing my part and that’s why I walk in the 3-Day For the Cure.

Is this your first walk? If not, how many 3-Day for the Cure events have you walked in previously?

This will be my third year walking in the 3-Day For the Cure.

Whether you’ve walked in the past or found it through training for your first walk – what is your favorite memory of the 3-Day for the Cure?

This is a hard question to answer because there are so many great memories.  If I had to pick one it would be the afternoon cheering station on day 2 in 2008.  By far this week-end was the HOTEST all summer, I was really dragging, I didn’t think I’d be able to finish the day out.  We came upon the cheering station and it was very emotional, I kept my head down because I didn’t want everyone to see my crying, I was miserable.   Out of the corner of my eye I same a blue kids table set up with candy and a picture of Katie.  I looked up and there was Mary, I ran (if you want to call it that) to her and we hugged and cried harder than I thought was possible.  Seeing Mary and the picture of Katie reminded me that no matter how hot I was, how much my feet hurt, how miserable I was, I needed to go on and finish the day.  Katie and all my other pink warriors never had the option to decide if they wanted to deal with the pain and discomfort of their disease and treatment they just did.

What advice would you pass on to first-time walkers?

Follow the training schedule as closely as possible, attend 3-Day for the Cure events and have fun.

What advice would you pass on to relatives and friends of walkers?

Training for the 3 Day is a huge commitment so whatever a walkers family can do around the house to help alleviate any extra stress (laundry, dishes, cleaning…) really helps.

Teresa Crage

Why are you walking?

I have known several people that have died/been affected by breast cancer. I have two daughters and my wish is that they will never have to be inflicted or worry about this disease.

Is this your first walk? If not how many 3-Day for the Cure events have you walked in previously?

This is my third year.

Whether you’ve walked in the past or found it through training for your first walk – what is your favorite memory of the 3-Day for the Cure?

I have so many but one that sticks out in my mind the most was seeing Katie’s mom at one of the cheering stations when my feet were covered in blisters and my bones hurt so much that I didn’t think I could finish. Katie’s children have a more difficult journey than I will ever have no matter how many 3-Day for the Cure walks I participate in.

Another memory was at the opening ceremony on my first walk and seeing people carrying flags for the mother, grandmother, sister, friend, wife, husband, etc. It was like a light went on that men are affected by this disease as well.

What advice would you pass on to first-time walkers?

Train… train….train. The story/fundraising will sell itself. Don’t be worried about how quickly you finish each day, try to meet people and hear their stories.

What advice would you pass on to relatives and friends of walkers?

Support people that you know are involved in the fundraising/awareness efforts. This can be with a monetary contribution, prayers, or coming to cheering stations. Yes, we need to meet our fundraising goal, but with that comes awareness to people around you whether they participate, contribute, or not contribute.

Mary Koly

Why are you walking?

I am walking because there are so many women with breast cancer and we need to find a cure for it.

Is this your first walk? If not how many 3-Day for the Cure events have you walked in previously?

This is my third walk

Whether you’ve walked in the past or found it through training for your first walk – what is your favorite memory of the 3-Day for the Cure?

Meeting new friends old and young who are all walking for the same cause.

What advice would you pass on to relatives and friends of walkers?

Make sure you know how to take care of your feet.  Wear good shoes, socks, use glide, baby powder and use mole skin if necessary.

Jaime Tomko (Note: Jaime is a 20 year-old Junior at Ohio State University)

Why are you walking?

I’m walking to help alleviate the struggles of those who are fighting breast cancer, to help in supporting the loved ones of some one fighting breast cancer and to honor those who have fought breast cancer.  And first and foremost to help in finding a cure, so people do not have to face those struggles any more.

Is this your first walk? If not how many 3-Day for the Cure events have you walked in previously?

This is my first walk, and I’m really excited.

Whether you’ve walked in the past or found it through training for your first walk – what is your favorite memory of the 3-Day for the Cure?

My favorite memory in preparing for the 3-Day for the Cure has to be our garage sale fundraiser because of all the support and stories of the shoppers.

Liz Crage (Note: Liz is a 16-year-old Senior at Hathaway Brown High School)

Why are you walking?

I am walking because I would like to help in a small way get us closer to the cure for breast cancer. I understand that even thought breast cancer has not affected anybody close to me it can affect any of my friends and family at any time. This walk has been something I have been looking forward to since I was 14 and my mother participated in and completed her first walk and proceeded to tell me all the amazing things she learned and experienced on her journey!

Is this your first walk? If not how many 3-Day for the Cure events have you walked in previously?

This is my first walk.

Whether you’ve walked in the past or found it through training for your first walk – what is your favorite memory of the 3-Day for the Cure?

My favorite memory of previous 3-Day for the Cure walks that my mother did is the ending ceremony when everybody holds up a sneaker. It touches me every time.

What advice would you pass on to relatives and friends of walkers?

I have depended so much on friends and relatives for fundraising so I would advise them to help with any fundraising. From actually donations to helping sell things, friends and relatives can really help their walkers.

Thank you all for your time. Your responses are touching and inspiring and you’ve encouraged us all to Keep Going®. I hope to get a chance to catch up with you all this weekend!

Thank you to Energizer® for partnering with me as the Cleveland’s Keep Going® Blogger.


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