'Barbie's Angels' take steps to ensure a world without breast cancer

Monday, November 7, 2011

Sixty miles in one direction can take you many places, but Greencastle resident Sue Blake and former residents Carlos Buckelew and Lindsey Briones have joined thousands of breast cancer supporters in preparing for the 2011 Susan G. Komen Phoenix 3-Day for the Cure because 60 miles can take them closer to finding a cure.

After months of training and fundraising, participants will walk 60 miles during three days to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and community-based breast health and education programs.

"This is our team's second year of participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure," Buckelew said. "Through our participation in this event we know we are making a personal impact on the breast cancer movement.

"We have made this a family affair by involving myself, both daughters, a granddaughter, and even had a niece walking last year and several other very close friends."

"We are participating in this event in honor of my grandmother, Barbara Buckelew," Briones said. "She was an active member of the Greencastle community, including the school corporation.

"Our team, Barbie's Angels, is made up of people from coast to coast and we are coming together to raise awareness and funds to end breast cancer for good."

The Komen 3-Day for the Cure is challenging, she added, "but the opportunity to have an impact is enormous."

Many people don't know that each and every walker agrees to raise $2,300 to go to the foundation, to help find a cure, to fund mammograms and to educate others.

Each walker is supported by coaches and online assistance aiding in all aspects of training and fundraising. Additionally, clinics, meetings, training walks, teams and buddy walkers provide ongoing encouragement.

The Susan G. Komen Phoenix 3-Day for the Cure starts Friday morning, Nov. 11 and ends with the closing ceremony Sunday, Nov. 13.

Walkers cover about 20 miles a day, traveling at their own pace. Hundreds of volunteer crew members support the walkers through the three-day journey providing meals, refreshments and snack stops, gear transport, hot showers, portable restrooms, safety on the streets and 24-hour medical services.

More than 1.4 million women will be diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year. To help Blake, Buckelew and Briones reach their goals by making a donation visit their personal pages at www.the3day.org/goto/sueblake, www.the3day.org/goto/lindseybriones, www.the3day.org/goto/carlosbuckelew, or search for their team, Barbie's Angels at www.the3day.org.

To learn how to participate or volunteer with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, visit The3Day.org and search for their team, Barbie's Angels or call 800-996-3DAY.

The 3-Day for the Cure is the greatest distance you can go in the fight against breast cancer. Participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, educating tens of thousands of people about breast health with every step. Funds raised impact breast cancer research and community-based breast health and education programs.

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement.

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.

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