With less than two weeks to go, teams of walkers in pink are fundraising and training hard.
But it’s all worth it, said Karen Vangilder of Clarkston, member of the Guardian Angels’ 3-Day team.
‘I’m doing this in honor of my mom and mother in law, both cancer survivors,? Vangilder said. ‘I don’t think walking 60 miles is anything compared to the battle they went through.?
The 23-member team includes Guardian Industries employees, families, and friends, and eight volunteers from Oakhurst neighborhood, Independence Township, said Kim Webb-Stolarski, team captain.
“My mother-in-law had breast cancer and it went to her bones and she didn’t survive,” Webb-Stolarski said. “Four of my close girlfriends are survivors and I hope by raising money each year we walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day that there will be an end to this awful disease.
‘I have watched these women battle breast cancer and it’s not an easy journey and then they wait each checkup for a good bill of health.?
Her daughter Ashley Stolarski, student at Michigan State Univeristy, is training for her third walk in three years.
“It’s very tough for her and her roommate, Laura Gargarz, to raise thier walking fee of $2,200,” Kim said. “There are others on our team who are working moms and they are struggling to make their money also.”
Each walker must raise at least $2,200 for Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. In return, they get to participate in the 3-Day event, Sept. 26-28, Oakland Community College.
The team’s fundraisers throughout the past year included bowling, bake sales, boat cruise, and a blue-jean day at Guardian, when employees could wear jeans in exchange for donations.
“A lot of reaching out to family and friends,” Stolarski said.
Guardian Angels has had a 3-Day team since 2005, and volunteers helped out at an out-of state walk the year before, she said.
Most team members have been personally affected by breast cancer.
“This is my third year with the team ? I moved to Michigan three years ago,” said Rachel Murphy, who lost her grandmother to breast cancer.
“My mammogram came back good ? I was worried about it,? said Carol Acton. “This is a way to give thanks.”
To train for the 60-mile course, 20 miles a day, team members walk at lunchtime, after work, and weekends, 3-15 miles at a time.
Training included the Crim race in Flint in August.
‘We did the Crim 10-mile race (in August), the longest stretch I’ve done so far,? Acton said. ‘We walked five miles last night.”
Cynthia Gomez participates as a crew member, making sure the event runs smoothly.
‘We tell everyone where to go and what to do,? said Gomez, who has participated in five 3-Day events. ‘We protect the walkers, keep them safe.?
The team also includes Thia Gomez, Dawn Greene, Elizabeth Barr, Rose Marie Farrar, Linda Hurd, Cathy Ihm, Kim Kittle, Erica Knoblock, Laurel Kobe, Linda McCarthy, Donna McDonald, Julie Melnyk, Debbie Newcom, Maddalena Parks, Jeanne Richards, Lynn Viforeanu, and Bernadine Weingartz.
For more information or to donate, call Stolarski at 248-340-2184 or check www.the3day.org.