Ortonville-Melissa Cardenas is rather pushy and refuses to back down from a fight.
That’s a great thing when it comes to battling cancer.
In the summer of 2000, Cardenas? mother, Diana Amrein, had been diagnosed with breast cancer and asked Melissa to join her in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk in Chicago.
‘It was such a empowering experience that we immediately signed up to walk again in 2001,? said Cardenas. ‘By the next summer, Mom’s fight became more challenging. She still wanted to participate, so I pushed her in a wheelchair for the 60 miles, with my brother participating as part of crew staff.?
Diana lost her battle with breast cancer on Sept. 26, 2001. In her memory, Cardenas walked the Detroit 3-Day in 2002.
‘My brother and father also joined in the tribute as part of the crew,? she said. ‘My daughter Angela was 7-years-old at the time and wanted to join us when she turned 21-years-old. That time has come.?
So, on Aug. 3-9 Angela and Melissa Cardenas will join thousands in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk. The walk begins in Novi and participants will trek through Farmington, Plymouth and Livonia. The walkers will spend two nights in designated camps and complete the journey at the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn.
‘We walk rain or shine’I’ve been soaked many times out there,? laughed Cardenas. ‘We are very close in rasing the $2,300 needed to participate in the event. Any funds go a long way in helping us.?
To donate go to www.the3day.org