Walking For a CurePhoto/Text by Renee Burrell
Meet the Beach Butterflies: Valerie Zino (St Pete) owner of Jonique Day Spa in Clearwater, Soozie Naylor (Clearwater Beach) owner of Key West Express in Clearwater Beach, Kriss Gleason (Clearwater Beach), Carla Chorley (Tarpon Springs) owner of Tucan Tango in Clearwater Beach. CLEARWATER BEACH - Worldwide one woman is diagnosed with having breast cancer every 3 minutes, and every 13 minutes one of them will die from the disease. An annual event that helps raise breast cancer awareness and funds for research and outreach programs is drawing near. Tampa Bay's Breast Cancer 3-Day will begin with Opening Ceremonies at Sand Key Park in Clearwater on October 19th, 7:30 am, and conclude with Closing Ceremonies at Spa Beach Park in St. Petersburg on October 21st at 5:30 pm. Several area business women are inviting everyone to join them as they walk for a cure by sponsoring one of them financially or by coming out to cheer them on. The ladies will walk 60-miles and camp in tents along with an expected 3,800 other participants over a 3 day period in October. Soozie Naylor, team leader, along with Kriss Gleason, Carla Chorley and Valerie Zino are in training and have been busy raising the $2,200 required fundraising minimum in preparation for the event. Naylor said her team's ready for the challenge. "We've all been training since June and we have team walks together on Sundays." Calling themselves the Beach Butterflies they are putting out the call for sponsorships. "We all have to pay a registration fee and we are obliged to raise $2,200 each," Naylor explained. "A dollar for every mile would be wonderful, but a contribution of any kind is appreciated!" Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds from the walk will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer. Sponsoring the Beach Butterflies or making a general donation couldn't be easier. For Internet users, log on to: www.07.the3day.org and click on the "Donations" page. Next, click on "Tamp Bay" from the list of participating cities. On that page you'll be asked to type in the name of the Beach Butterfly you wish to sponsor. Their personal page will appear with instructions. After you make a donation, you can download the "I support the 3-Day poster". For those who wish to make a donation in honor, or in memory of someone, a download for a card to print and mail is provided. Names of donors appear on the site's honor roll. Donations can also be made by phoning (800)996-3DAY. "We've all known someone stricken with breast cancer," said Naylor, whose sister in-law Nona is a five year survivor. Beach Butterfly Carla Chorley, of Toucan Tango added, "I meet them in my store everyday and hug them and kiss them. We need a cure. It's time for a cure." All of the Beach Butterflies are finding participating in the 3-Day to be a life-changing journey. Chorley said, "It has changed my life already, and I haven't even walked yet!...When Soozie invited me to be on the team it made me get out and walk every day to prepare for the 20 plus miles I'll be walking in October. I've dropped two dress sizes and found great friendship." Chorley will be working to raise funds at the Clearwater Wine Company working as a server on September 14. She'll donate all of her tips to the 3-Day. Kriss Gleason said her husband Bill is her biggest supporter. "He said 'You'll never do it' but has since come around and has even given a presentation to his fellow employees to help me with fundraising." Valerie Zino is a lucky mom. "My sons are making a lemonade stand and spreading awareness for the breast cancer movement for a cure by wearing pink 'Share the Cure' bracelets around their ankles… People are asking about them," said Zino. "If this has done anything and gets even 1 woman to go and get a mammogram or inspires another person to walk next year, it's worth it," concluded Naylor. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Sprung from Grassroots As Susan G. Komen was losing her fight with breast cancer, her sister, Nancy promised to do all she could to help bring an end to breast cancer forever. The movement she started in 1982 and named for her sister has caught on world wide. According to their website at www.Komen.org, "Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and the Breast Cancer 3-Days, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. " For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1-800 I'M AWARE.
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