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Mother, daughter team up for cancer walk
Published October 11, 2009
t affects mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers and friends.
It is the second-leading cause of cancer among women, as one in four of those diagnosed with cancer this year will be diagnosed with it.
Millions live with it, fighting it, but tens of thousands lose their battle each year.
The impact of breast cancer is far reaching, one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. The reality is most know or know of someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Connie Rodgers does.
The Walnut Grove resident, along with her daughter Brittany, will be among the thousands who later this month will walk 60 miles in the Atlanta Breast Cancer Three-Day, benefiting the Susan G. Koman for the Cure organization and the National Philanthropic Breast Cancer Fund. This will be Rodgers’ seventh time participating in the walk and it will be the first time for her daughter.
“In 1998, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Rodgers said. “She was fortunate the tumor was removed surgically and she didn’t require chemotherapy or radiation. But since then, I have lost a cousin, two aunts, friends I met through the three-day walk and others.
“I do (the walk) each year because I know it is doing a lot of good. My sister’s doctor found a lump and told her to get a mammogram. She didn’t have insurance but the Susan G. Komen for the Cure provided funds. To me, that’s cool. What I am doing helped somebody I know.”
Taking place in 15 cities, the Breast Cancer Three-Day is a series of three-day, 60-mile walks raising millions of dollars for breast cancer research, education and community health programs. Participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and to walk, along the way educating tens of thousands of people about breast health. Eighty-five percent of the funds raised will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
“I was in complete shock at the number of people involved. It truly is amazing,” Rodgers said. “It is a challenge. It took me a few years to complete the walk, taking every step. And the wide range of emotions you feel on the walk drive you to finish.”
Brittany is confident she will finish the race, though this is her first time. She has helped her mother train for walks, help keep energy up during the walks, worked at cheering stations along the way and donated her own money. A sophomore at Walnut Grove High School, Brittany this year raised money through her softball team and garage sales.
“This impacts people I know,” Brittany said. “I see my grandma every day, and it makes me glad she made it. What I am doing is helping someone else’s daughter, mom or grandma.”
The walk will start Oct. 23 at Lake Lanier and end with a closing ceremony Oct. 25 at Turner Field. 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.
The importance of the event is reason enough for Rodgers to participate each and every year.
“I’d like to see an end to breast cancer — to all cancer,” Rodgers said. “I really don’t want my children or grandchildren to have to worry about this. The walk is my way of doing my part for a greater good.”
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