Joanne Gordon of Murrieta is out of her comfort zone and loving it.
She has signed up to walk from Santa Barbara to Malibu this October 27-29 – 60 miles
– on the Avon Breast Cancer Three-Day Walk. Gordon, 53, said her decision to join
Avon’s breast cancer crusade was serendipitous.
With her children grown, Gordon runs a home business and does temp
work.“I decided I had to do something for somebody this year,” Gordon said,
“and I kept hearing their ad over and over again on the radio.” What she
didn’t realize was what a long haul commitment she was making. “They give you a
training schedule. I walked 14 ½ miles
yesterday and it took me five hours!” Gordon said. “I need to walk ten miles
today.” The other big stretch for Joanne is asking people for money. “It’s
embarrassing for me to ask and then follow up,” Gordon said. However, each
participant in Avon’s walk commits to raise a minimum of $1800.
When I received Joanne’s letter, detailing her 3-day adventure
with tents, shower trucks and port-a-potties, I wanted to make a contribution. I felt it
was a good cause. “I will be printing the names of breast cancer survivors, victims
and ‘fighters’ on the shirts I will wear during the walk. Please let me know if
there is someone special whose name you would like to appear on one of the shirts,”
her letter said.
As I began to think about names, my contribution took on a personal
feel. I wanted to honor friends Jeanine Stevens and Pam Llewellyn, both who passed away
from breast cancer. I thought of Barbara Badgett and Lilly Valko, two Murrieta women I
interviewed in 1995, during breast cancer awareness month. They were so inspirational, and
both have passed on. Then I thought of all the survivors I knew, some well-known like Joan
Sparkman and our former editor, Kathy Day. I was surprised as I counted a dozen more
friends, teachers and neighbors who
have fought the disease.
“I wear my t-shirt a lot of places,” Gordon said.
“When I said would put people’s names on my shirt, the response was so
different. Since I’ve started to do this, it is amazing how many women have said,
‘My mother, my sister, my cousin, my friend was just diagnosed.’ Also, men get
it too. It’s not just women.” “What Avon’s goal is,” Gordon
continued, “is to fund those who cannot afford mammograms and treatment. Because
I’m a woman and I’ve been fortunate, and I have a daughter, I would like to see
a cure for breast cancer.”
Gordon has raised over $1100 so far. If you have someone you would
like to honor, or would like to make a contribution, you can send a check to Avon’s
Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk, c/o Joanne Gordon, 39629 Via Temprano, Murrieta, CA 92563, or
call Joanne at 677-8960 for more information. All contributions are tax-deductible.
Official Avon information is available at www.breastcancer3day.org.