2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series to take place Friday through Sunday

by Lindsey Miller of DFW Reporting

“Last year Susan G. Komen for the Cure funded $60 million in breast cancer research so the Breast Cancer 3-Day revenue helps support that effort,” said Susan G. Komen Vice President of Affiliate Network Diana Rowden.

The 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight against breast cancer. Participants commit to fundraising, training, and dedicating an entire weekend to the cause.

“It’s 60 miles over three days so it’s about 20 miles each day,” said Rowden.

Participants are provided meals, snacks, liquids, mobile showers, tents, safety guidelines, and 24-hour medical support.

“They teach you how to pack, what to wear and just really every little detail,” said captain of the Walking Warriors breast cancer team Tamra Houghston. “Even though we’re a little nervous because we’ve never done something to this magnitude before, it’s refreshing because they’re taking such good care of making sure that we’re educated.”

The 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series will take place in 15 cities across the United States. People in the fight against breast cancer will be walking in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Michigan, San Diego, Tampa Bay, Cleveland, Atlanta, Arizona, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Dallas. The walk in north Texas will begin at the Plano Centre after the opening ceremony. People will then travel through Richardson, Addison, Farmers Branch, and Dallas.

“The seven of us on the Walking Warriors team have never done this before, but the great thing is this is not new,” said Houghston.

Since its inception in 2003, the series has continued to grow. More than $400 million have been raised and the series have increased from three events in 2003 to 15 events in 2009.

“Last year the 2008 series raised $110 million,” said Rowden. “It’s a significant amount of money that helps research and community programs across the United States.”

Teams are asked to raise $2,300 per participant. Many people raise their own money through personal means like sending out e-mails and gaining the support of family and friends. Others have a more group effort approach. The Walking Warriors team invited over 100 people to their fundraiser where they got most of all of the food, drinks, and silent auction items donated.

“They might put on an event to do their fundraising,” said Rowden. “They get very creative to get the pledges. A lot of them raise a lot of money, so they work very hard at that.”

“Breast cancer is very near and dear to my heart,” said co-captain of the Walking Warriors team Annette Marquez. “I have several family members that have died from breast cancer. Three of my grandmother’s sisters have passed away and two of my cousins just recently have been diagnosed with breast cancer.”

“She very humbled by it and I’m just very touched and honored to be able to do this for Annette,” said Houghston.

“We’re going through nothing compared to what people with cancer are going through,” said Marquez.

“Never give up,” said breast cancer survivor Betty Garrett. “Have hope no matter what because once you give up hope, then you really don’t have the sunshine in your life.”

One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older. Those aren’t factors people can do anything about, but there are things people can control.

“I think maintaining a healthy weight and keeping an active lifestyle,” said Rowden. “Minimize your alcohol consumption, because we do know that there is a connection between alcohol consumption and breast cancer.”

Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds raised from the Breast Cancer 3-Day will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and will generate millions of dollars to fund critical breast cancer research, education, and community health programs.

“It’s a very exciting time because we’re now at a point where a lot of that investment is coming to fruition in terms of improved therapies and better ways to detect the disease earlier,” said Rowden.

“The 2009 Breast Cancer 3-Day walk is November 6th, 7th and 8th,” said Houghston. “There are opportunities to either participate in the walk as a walker. There are also opportunities to participate as a crew member.”

“We hope that people will turn out to support the Dallas Breast Cancer 3-Day at a cheering station,” said Rowden. “If they’ve already signed up to crew, I just want to say thank you so much.”

Take a look at the video in HD produced by DFWreporting.com above!

To learn more about the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, go to www.The3Day.org.