Spring Hill News

Local woman commits to 60-mile, three-day walk for breast cancer

August 20, 2009 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Spring Hill walker prepares for Arizona Breast Cancer 3-Day, makes personal difference in the breast cancer movement one step at a time

Sixty miles, three days, thousands of steps, and months of preparation to make a personal difference in finding the cures. Ashley Porter a local Spring Hill resident, is preparing for this bold journey. Porter has joined thousands of other breast cancer supporters in preparing for the 2009 Arizona Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. After months of training and fundraising, participants will walk 60 miles during three days to raise awareness and funds for critical research, education and community health programs.

“This is my first year participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day,” said Porter. “Through my participation in this event I know I am making a personal impact on the breast cancer movement. The Breast Cancer 3-Day is challenging, but the opportunity to have an enormous impact on awareness and funding for the breast cancer cause, to honor those who have lost their lives to the disease, and to celebrate cancer survivorship is a life-changing experience.”

“My Aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer last fall. When this news hit my family, it was a shock. I just knew that we had to do something to stop this terrible disease. I will be walking along with my mom and my sister. We have made it our goal to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for breast cancer.

In the U.S. today, there are nearly 2.5 million breast cancer survivors—one in eight women will be diagnosed during her lifetime—but a breast cancer diagnosis affects more than the patient. Co-survivors, the family and friends of those women and men battling breast cancer, need support also. The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a way for survivors, co-survivors and anyone passionate about the cause to personally make a difference in helping end the disease by joining a community of support throughout the entire journey. Each walker is supported by coaches and online assistance that aid in all aspects of training and fundraising, while clinics, meetings, training walks, teams, and buddy walkers provide ongoing support.

“The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a community of people united by one cause who are dedicated and excited to make a difference,” said Porter. “Get Started meetings, training walks, and fundraising events have been a fun way to meet people with whom I have an instant connection and support system while challenging myself in this journey.”

The Arizona Breast Cancer 3-Day will start on Friday morning, November 13, 2009 and end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday afternoon, November 15. The walkers will cover about 20 miles a day, traveling at their own pace. Hundreds of volunteer crew members support the walkers through the three-day journey providing meals, refreshments and snack stops, gear transport, hot showers, portable restrooms, safety on the streets and 24-hour medical services.

To help AshleyPorter reach her goal, make a donation directly to her online donation page or join her team at www.The3day.org. To learn how to participate or volunteer with the Breast Cancer 3-Day, visit www.The3Day.org or call 800.996.3DAY. Follow my training? Ask me about this.