Team W.I.S.H. Arizona
Walking In Spirit and Hope - You Must Be The Change That You See In The World~
It is 2008 an Team W.I.S.H. Arizona is ready for the challenge and journey. Please join us as we embark on another year of fundraising to beat this deadly disease known as 'breast cancer'.
Last year many of us lost loved ones and friends to this deadly disease but we must do this together. Together...we can make a difference!
The 2008 3 Day, 60 Mile Walk benefiting 2008 Susan G. Komen 3-Day is, November 14-16, 2008. In order to participate, each walker trains for the event and must raise $2200. Team W.I.S.H. Arizona is already making their commitment to raise funds for the walk but more importantly... to fight breast cancer.
Fundraising is a priviledge and an honor, so why not make it fun to train and walk with the members of our team...Team W.I.S.H Arizona... for the 2008 3-Day! Won't you join us and participate in an incredible and inspiring journey! Go to www.the3day.org , sign up for the 3-Day and join Team W.I.S.H.
Team W.I.S.H. Arizona participates in the November 2-4, 2007 AZ 3-Day 60-Mile Breast Cancer Walk!
Walking in spirit and hope, the team finished an incredible journey by particpating in the 2007 AZ 3-Day from Gilbert to downtown, Phoenix to raise awareness and funds for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and The National Philanthropic Trust. With a strong desire to eliminate breast cancer, Team W.I.S.H. Arizona laced up their shoes, put their best feet forward and accomplished another spectacular feat by once again being recognized as one of the top fundraising teams as well as one of the the largest teams in Arizona. Under the leadership of Linda Kacmarsky, Captain, members of the team raised over $180,000. The team consisted of 73 members; 63 walkers and 10 crew members.
"Raising over $180,000 represents a significant amount of time and dedication on the part of our team members," stated Kacmarsky, who participated in her sixth 3-Day walk. Each walker must raise $2200 to participate in the 3-Day 60-mile walk. Over 15 team fundraisers were held throughout the year to help walkers reach their minimum goal. Members included mothers and daughters, sisters, husband and wife; 39 first time walkers and 9 breast cancer survivors from all over the valley...Anthem, Cave Creek, Surprise, Carefree, Sun City, Glendale, Peoria, Goodyear, Phoenix, Desert Ridge, Scottsdale, New Mexico and even Michigan!
All team members acknowledge the emotional and financial support given by so many family members, friends, neighbors and businesses that were the motivation factor for the team's success. Since its inception in 2004, Team W.I.S.H. Arizona has raised over $650,000 in the fight against breast cancer.
Team W.I.S.H. Arizona has already begun fundraising for next year's event. Tax deductible donations made payable to Breast Cancer 3-Day can be sent to Team W.I.S.H. Arizona, 3434 W. Anthem Way, PMB#232, Anthem,AZ 85086.
TEAM W.I.S.H. ARIZONA
The Journey
2008 - Our journey continues as we raise funds and awareness to eradicate this terrible disease. Our team is stronger then ever and determined as many of our members have returned to walk their 2nd year, 3rd year and more! As the team continues to grow, new members pledging their hearts and souls...becoming sponges of information, creating new and innovation fundraisers and looking forward to miles and miles of training. As the team grows so does the 'geographic area' of their communities with members from Bullhead City, Camp Verde, Roosevelt, Glendale, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Peoria, Cave Creek and Anthem - a true melting pot of spirit and adventure. We hope you'll join us at our fundraisers, follow us on our web page but more importantly plan your support to fight this disease! Please donate today - together ...we can make a difference!
2007 - Once again the 'team' is on an outstanding adventure with 73 team members, 63 walkers and 10 crew members creating an array of partners...husbands & wives, mothers & daughters, sisters, past crew members, new walkers and new crew members. The training has started, the mornings are early but our goals are the same...beat breast cancer. Team W.I.S.H Arizona has set the standard and raises the bar every year with teams trying to bump them from the top and quite frankly, they hope they do. Because it's really not about the competition, it's about the cure!
2006 the journey continues and the momentum builds! Once again Linda and Pat lead a team of outstanding women and men. Team member, Stacey Zimmerman, once again, will head the Golf Classic, which raises over $20,000. A tough but focused training leader, Susan Luft, maps out 5, 10 and 15 mile training walks; 5am training walks, waking those in the neighborhood starting their day. The sound of walking 'soles' in an effort to beat the heat and building the team up to 73 members. The list of fundraising continues to grow - selling more bracelets, another Shopping Extravaganza and for the unprecedented 3rd year in a row, Team W.I.S.H is the largest team, raising over $180,000, 1st in Arizona and 6th in the nation. A new 60 mile route this year, almost felt like a weekend stroll. Thousands of supporters lined the streets each day; blisters, achy muscles, warm days with over 80 degrees...but it did not stop the likes of 2,100 walkers, 300 crew members raising over $5.3 million dollars.
As these women and men do every year, they walk for the wives, sisters, mothers, aunts, cousins, daughters and friends. A warm and wonderful friend and sponsor, Dr. Susan Weyers lost her battle with cancer, on Monday, the day after the walk ended. Weeks later, as a tribute to this courageous woman, the team walked their final walk in 2006, in memory of the spirit of Susan. Again, reminding us 'why we walk'.
2005 and just when you think you've reached the top, you find there is more work to be completed...and so the find for the cure remains undaunted! New challenges grow - Pat decides to co-captain the presidency with Linda and head up the 'fundraising' challenges. A training leader is needed and Stacey Zimmerman steps up to the plate without hesitation. The first Team W.I.S.H Golf Classic brings in over $30,000; two more bracelet designs selling more then 1,400; another sponsorship t-shirt; the 2nd Annual Ironwood Breast Cancer Walk with over 150 participants and the first 'Outlets at Anthem Shopping Extravaganza'. 'Fundraising' has become an incredible mission and Team W.I.S.H flies its colors high with success. For the second year in a row, 86 members of the team raise over $200,000 and once again are the #1 team in the state and third nationwide. Another 60 miles, 1700 walkers, 300 crew members and $4.7 million dollars to help find a cure for breast cancer.
2004
saw the birth of Team W.I.S.H. A simple 'wish'. Call it a vision. But a vision that has been viewed over and over again by thousands of women and men across the United States...for that matter...around the world. Call it what you want - a challenge, defeat, knock-out, eradicate - but pure and simple 'to find a cure for breast cancer.'The team was started by four sparkling women from Anthem, AZ on a sunny afternoon. Leaders through and through, Linda Kacmarsky, the new captain of the team and a breast cancer survivor herself, convinced her friend, Pat Drapac to walk with her in the first Arizona 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk in October. All were determined to walk the 60 miles and raise funds they needed to leap closer to their vision. Four walkers grew to six, six grew to 26. Team shirts were created and sponsorships were sold. Fundraisers of pink bracelets were made, selling 900 the first year, followed by the Ironwood Breast Cancer Walk in their community with over 150 participants. Who would have thought that four women could influence so many to give so much. Team W.I.S.H was recognized as the largest team and the 'top fundraising' team, raising over $84,500. The first year, in the heat of the Arizona October Fall weather, which included the danger of walking 60 miles on congested roadways from northern Scottsdale to Tempe Town Lake, an incredible story was about to be written for ages to come. Not only did the first walk bring out 1900 walkers from all parts of Arizona and more combined with 300 crew members, they raised over $5.3 million dollars. Who knew...those 4 women knew and they continued their vision in 2005.
Their bodies are different, their ages are young to old but their goal remains the same - to find a cure for breast cancer so they can all stop walking!
Please join the fight against breast cancer ~ help us find a cure ~ send in your donation today!
