Brandon Twp.- ‘Green thumbs up for the cure? is the motto of eight women who usually walk among rows of flowers and plants as employees of Wojo’s Greenhouse, but soon will walk amidst hundreds of people who share a common goal? finding a cure for breast cancer.
The women, Lisa Kemeny, Susan Bork, Amy Price, Luana Haney, Jenny Haney, April Smith, Sara Martin and Kim Rich, will take part in the Breast Cancer 3-Day, benefitting Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Sept. 28-30.
The three day event, in which participants must raise $2,200 and walk 20 miles each day, is in its fifth year. This will be the first time for the Wojo’s team, who wanted to do something for a cause.
‘We all realized we know someone affected by breast cancer,? says Kemeny.
Price’s sister is a 10-year breast cancer survivor and her grandmother was a breast cancer survivor; Luana Haney’s mother-in-law was a long-term breast cancer survivor and Kemeny’s aunt died a slow, painful death last fall after contracting a bacterial infection following breast cancer surgery that affected her brain.
‘Whenever I think I can’t raise the money, I think about her and I know I can do it,? Kemeny said.
The women all know customers who have had breast cancer and want to honor these local women, too.
Joe and Julie Wojciechowski, owners of Wojo’s, are supportive of their employees and have paid each woman’s $90 registration fee. Now, they must each raise $2,200, a collective $17,600.
To do this, they have several community events planned, including a July 4 fundraiser at Wojo’s, 2570 Oakwood Road, at which there will be a dunk tank and refreshments available; a bunco party July 27 at St. Anne Church, 825 S. Ortonville Road, that will include prizes and a silent auction; and an August garage sale at Wojo’s at which the public can purchase space.
They also plan to assist the cooks at Mongolian Barbecue in Auburn Hills this month to raise money. A date had not yet been set.
The group is collecting bottles and cans, too, and is offering to pick them up from open houses.
‘We’re trying to get as much money as a group as we can,? says Price.
‘We can do it,? adds Kemeny.
The group also hopes to have some more walkers join them. They have recently begun group training.
‘We’re excited,? says Haney. ‘We meet weekly and keep motivated. It’s really hard to train, we’re working hard.?
They are working with an eye toward the future.
‘I’d like them to find a cure, for my daughters,? said Price.
Bork added, ‘I’m walking for every woman I know who could call me one day with that news.?
Wojo’s is accepting donations for the walkers. Anyone wishing to contribute to the cause can mail or drop off a check made payable to ‘Wojo’s Walkers? at the greenhouse, 2570 Oakwood Road, Ortonville, Mich. 48462. Details: (248) 627-6498.