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Komen 3-Day Walkers Inspire One Step at a Time
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Scott MacKay
Laurie Cherry, First-time Walker, Susan G. Komen Arizona 3-Day
In the summer of 2012, First Sergeant Laurie Cherry found out she was being deployed for active duty, causing her to miss the Susan G. Komen Arizona 3-Day in November.
The Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for women and men, like Cherry, who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. In an amazing display of commitment and personal triumph, Cherry continued her training and fundraising while serving abroad. Raising more than $5,600, Cherry completed the 60-mile walk from her deployment location the same weekend as the Arizona 3-Day.
What can fuel this kind of dedication to a single cause? The belief that she is making a difference with every step she takes, the belief that she is bringing the world one step closer to eliminating breast cancer forever. This was a very personal cause to Laurie as a close family member was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. As the primary caregiver, Laurie quickly realized the impact breast cancer has not only on the individual but also family and friends.
“When I finished the 60 miles, I knew that I had done something special for someone I care about very dearly and for all those touched by cancer," said Cherry. “The emotions were overwhelming and still get to me when I stop and think about what it felt like at the end of mile 60."
The 3-Day® participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, and with every step they are urging people to take action in the fight to end breast cancer.
To learn more about how you can join the fight to end breast cancer, visit www.The3Day.org and register for the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day.
In the summer of 2012, First Sergeant Laurie Cherry found out she was being deployed for active duty, causing her to miss the Susan G. Komen Arizona 3-Day in November.
The Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for women and men, like Cherry, who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. In an amazing display of commitment and personal triumph, Cherry continued her training and fundraising while serving abroad. Raising more than $5,600, Cherry completed the 60-mile walk from her deployment location the same weekend as the Arizona 3-Day.
What can fuel this kind of dedication to a single cause? The belief that she is making a difference with every step she takes, the belief that she is bringing the world one step closer to eliminating breast cancer forever. This was a very personal cause to Laurie as a close family member was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. As the primary caregiver, Laurie quickly realized the impact breast cancer has not only on the individual but also family and friends.
“When I finished the 60 miles, I knew that I had done something special for someone I care about very dearly and for all those touched by cancer," said Cherry. “The emotions were overwhelming and still get to me when I stop and think about what it felt like at the end of mile 60."
The 3-Day® participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, and with every step they are urging people to take action in the fight to end breast cancer.
To learn more about how you can join the fight to end breast cancer, visit www.The3Day.org and register for the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day.
Dr. Sheri Phillips, National Spokesperson for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day™
Sheri Phillips has been a practicing physician for more than 18 years. She was incredibly shocked to learn she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis many of her patients received over the years.
She decided to tackle the disease head on, and after a period of intense treatment, she was free of cancer. However, she was left with clinically disabling lymphedema of her right arm and hand, prohibiting her from performing hands-on treatment for her patients.
Because Phillips couldn’t sit and watch breast cancer have a similar impact on countless lives, she signed up to walk in the 2010 Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day. The Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile journey of a lifetime for women and men, like Phillips, who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. After completing her first Komen 3-Day, Phillips felt unstoppable and alive with a renewed sense of purpose.
Last year, Phillips was chosen as the third-ever Susan G. Komen 3-Day national spokesperson. Now she travels to each of the 14 3-Day cities, spreading awareness and education about breast cancer and also serves as an inspiration as she recently celebrated her fourth year of being cancer free.
“Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide,” said Phillips. “Early detection helps save lives. It helped save my life and everyone should be educated about this disease. We walk so one day we will live in a world where nobody loses their battle with breast cancer.”
To learn more about how you can join the fight to end breast cancer, visit www.The3Day.org and register for the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day.
Sheri Phillips has been a practicing physician for more than 18 years. She was incredibly shocked to learn she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis many of her patients received over the years.
She decided to tackle the disease head on, and after a period of intense treatment, she was free of cancer. However, she was left with clinically disabling lymphedema of her right arm and hand, prohibiting her from performing hands-on treatment for her patients.
Because Phillips couldn’t sit and watch breast cancer have a similar impact on countless lives, she signed up to walk in the 2010 Susan G. Komen Chicago 3-Day. The Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile journey of a lifetime for women and men, like Phillips, who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. After completing her first Komen 3-Day, Phillips felt unstoppable and alive with a renewed sense of purpose.
Last year, Phillips was chosen as the third-ever Susan G. Komen 3-Day national spokesperson. Now she travels to each of the 14 3-Day cities, spreading awareness and education about breast cancer and also serves as an inspiration as she recently celebrated her fourth year of being cancer free.
“Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death among women worldwide,” said Phillips. “Early detection helps save lives. It helped save my life and everyone should be educated about this disease. We walk so one day we will live in a world where nobody loses their battle with breast cancer.”
To learn more about how you can join the fight to end breast cancer, visit www.The3Day.org and register for the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day.
Kriste Ruhland, First-time Walker, Susan G. Komen Dallas/Fort-Worth 3-Day
Kriste Ruhland was devastated when her oldest sister Karen Jo was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in September 2005. However, another shocking discovery happened five short months after her sister’s diagnosis; Ruhland found a lump on her breast.
At first, she didn’t think much about what she had found. She was more focused on the fact her second child was due in just over a month. Because of her sister’s recent diagnosis, Ruhland was persuaded to visit her doctor to get checked out. Things progressed quickly and only two hours after her biopsy, Ruhland received a phone call from her doctor informing her she had breast cancer.
Ruhland was worried about her sister, unborn baby, family and, of course, herself. Immediate action was taken and she decided to have a mastectomy and later delivered her son at 37 weeks.
“It was easily one of the most difficult times in my life,” said Ruhland. “As they say, when it rains, it pours. The support of friends and family for both my sister and myself made all the difference.”
On the day she delivered her little boy, she learned she was BRCA2 positive. Because of the BRCA2 determination, Ruhland elected to have her other breast removed and a hysterectomy to increase her odds of remaining cancer free.
"Although Karen Jo eventually lost her fight, I think of her and her uplifting attitude daily. I’m reminded to not sweat the small stuff, something my sister lived by,” said Ruhland.
Ruhland joined the Komen 3-Day family by walking in the Dallas/Fort Worth event in November 2012. She walks in honor of her sister, to celebrate her own life and to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.
To learn more about how you can join the fight to end breast cancer, visit www.The3Day.org and register for the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day.
Kriste Ruhland was devastated when her oldest sister Karen Jo was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in September 2005. However, another shocking discovery happened five short months after her sister’s diagnosis; Ruhland found a lump on her breast.
At first, she didn’t think much about what she had found. She was more focused on the fact her second child was due in just over a month. Because of her sister’s recent diagnosis, Ruhland was persuaded to visit her doctor to get checked out. Things progressed quickly and only two hours after her biopsy, Ruhland received a phone call from her doctor informing her she had breast cancer.
Ruhland was worried about her sister, unborn baby, family and, of course, herself. Immediate action was taken and she decided to have a mastectomy and later delivered her son at 37 weeks.
“It was easily one of the most difficult times in my life,” said Ruhland. “As they say, when it rains, it pours. The support of friends and family for both my sister and myself made all the difference.”
On the day she delivered her little boy, she learned she was BRCA2 positive. Because of the BRCA2 determination, Ruhland elected to have her other breast removed and a hysterectomy to increase her odds of remaining cancer free.
"Although Karen Jo eventually lost her fight, I think of her and her uplifting attitude daily. I’m reminded to not sweat the small stuff, something my sister lived by,” said Ruhland.
Ruhland joined the Komen 3-Day family by walking in the Dallas/Fort Worth event in November 2012. She walks in honor of her sister, to celebrate her own life and to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research.
To learn more about how you can join the fight to end breast cancer, visit www.The3Day.org and register for the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day.
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