Feel like going for a walk?
Wait, before you commit to it, consider the big picture:
It’s a 60 mile walk over three days. After the first 20 miles on day one, which coincidentally just happens to be the hottest day of the year, your feet swell up so much that your shoes don’t fit anymore.
On the second day, Mother Nature decides to start a relatively uncommon monsoon season in Michigan, and you forgot to bring a poncho.
By the final 20 miles on day three you just feel fortunate to crawl across the finish line.
Now do you feel like walking?
Well, two Lake Orion residents cannot wait to do it all over again.
Kourtney Bell and Jacqueline Slone teamed up last summer to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breat Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
‘I’ll do it every year until I can’t walk anymore, that’s for sure,? said Slone.
‘In spite of all the pain, you can’t help but feel moved by it all,? added Bell.
The longtime friends and Lake Orion High School classmates had always wanted to do a fundraiser like the 3-Day and finally found the time after finishing college.
‘We finally had an opportunity where we could devote the proper time to it,? Bell said.
Because of the people they met along the way, including survivors and women currently battling breast cancer, they immediately signed up for this year.
In Michigan, the walk will be held from August 11-13. The walkers camp at specified overnight sites along the 60 mile path.
‘The closing ceremony is why I’m doing it again,? said Slone, who was touched by the tribute to cancer survivors that ended the three days on an uplifting note.
‘It’s the smallest favor you could do for somebody that’s been through all of that,? Slone said of the walk.
Bell and Slone have added two members to their team this year, Martha Angle and Amy Vince. They’re excited about sharing the experience and the lessons they learned with two more friends.
‘We’ll definitely train a bit more this year,? said Slone.
‘We figured that we’re young and we could handle it,? Bell said of their preparation last year.
After day one a year ago, Bell had blisters on her feet that made the final miles extremely difficult.
‘We had to go to the medical tent and get everything wrapped up,? she said.
Bell couldn’t fit into her shoes the next day, but fortunately another walker came to the rescue and offered an extra pair that she had brought along.
‘It was really generous of her,? Bell said. ‘I might not have made it otherwise.?
This year, the team is planning on training on the Paint Creek Trail and will have plenty of extra shoes and ponchos on hand.
It doesn’t seem like there are many things that could be more difficult than the walk itself, but Bell and Slone agreed that fundraising for the event is the hardest part.
Each walker must raise $2,200 to participate. Last year Bell and Slone used a variety of fundraising methods, but admitted that they’d like to avoid asking the same donors year after year.
As a result they have set up numerous ways to be reached for donations and letters of encouragement.
How you can help: Checks payable to the Breast Cancer 3-Day can be sent to 3071 S. Baldwin Rd, Box 114, Orion Township, MI 48359.
Online donations are accepted at www.the3day.org by searching for the appropriate last name.
For more information, e-mail ThePinkLOLadies@hotmail.com.