Susan G. Komen 3-Day 60 mile walk

The 3 Day Susan G. Komen 60 mile walk to eradicate breast cancer will begin here in the valley on Nov. 11. Our family's participation in "the walk" began in 2005 when two of my granddaughters, Cory and Jessamyn (who are sisters) walked in support and recognition of their "grandma Juanita Grove". They were both successful in completing the walk. That particular walk ended at "Rawhide". Then our son and daughter, Ken Grove and Kim Turgesen completed the walk in 2006, 2007 and 2008. My granddaughter, Rachel Serrano joined her Dad and Auntie Kim in the 2008 walk. In 2009 my son, Kenny, again walked and was joined by his cousin Kelleigh and her daughter, Sara. My granddaughter, Cassie and several of her friends from New Mexico participated in the walk in 2010 along with Kelleigh and Sara and Jill. It is my understanding that Jill is walking again in 20ll along with Cassie and her friends. There are lots of signs and banners and decorations along the route, teams carry banners of who they are supporting, i.e, 'JUANITA'S KIDS" and "GRANDMA'S JUGGERNAUTS".


You see things in the walk that reduce you to tears. Women in wheel chairs are being pushed by friends, family members or their husbands. You see things that make you so proud. One year we were resting on an expansive lawn at the end of the walk waiting for the final program to start and I noticed right ahead of me on the grass was a young woman with her back to me and no shirt of any kind. Her back was bare and no bra straps. Pretty soon she stood up and turned around and momentarily was facing me;a beautiful young woman and both of her breasts were gone and her whole chest was covered in a beautiful tattoo of gorgeous flowers. My eyes teared up and I was so proud of her although I did not know her at all.


Each person that participates in the walk must pay an entry fee. It goes up each year and this year each person must pay and entry fee of $2300. It all goes toward breast cancer research. That money is raised by each entrant asking for donations from their friends and family. If you don't come up with the entire amount you don't get to walk. They start out early every morning after staying all night in tents in a park where breakfast is served. Then they walk 10 miles and back 10 miles to the campground and have supper and fellowship and to bed and then the next day the route is changed and they go further than 20 miles to make up for a shorter walk on Sunday. On Sunday they don't come back to the campground because trucks bring every body's gear to the end of the route where each person picks it up after the big ceremony. So the first day is 20 miles; the second day is more than 20 miles to make up for the shortened day on Sunday because of the ceremony but all in all by changing routes and starting times they get in 60 miles of walking in 3 days. It is a huge crowd walking and they raise lots of $$$$ for a good cause.