Team W.I.S.H. Arizona

WHY WE WALK

There's an empy seat at the dinner table where a mother use to sit.

She's 34 years old, full of life and dreams and two small kids.

There's a young man with a tear in this eye and pink ribbon on his coat, in  memory of the only love he'd ever known.

There's a lady looking in the mirror without a single strand of hair, she barely recognizes the woman standing there.

She's waging a silent war against an enemy inside and putting up the fight of her life.

That's why we walk.

We walk to remember, we walk to celebrate, that's why we walk, leaning on each other and holding on to faith,

for those who are gone and those who live on.

We honor them all and that's why we walk.

She lays in a cold small room in a baby-blue paper gown, anticipating what the x-rays might have found.

Then she hears the words that always stop you on a dime and pray that they found it in time.

That's why we walk.

We walk to remember, we walk to celebrate, that's why we walk, leaning on each other, and holding on to faith,

for those who are gone and those who live on.

We honor them all and that's why we walk.

For life for love, for one another, for him, for her, there's strength in numbers.

That's why we walk.

Leaning on each other and holding on to faith.

For those who are gone and those who live on.

We honor them all and that's why we walk.

 

 My name is Stephanie Hrkman and I am a new member of Team W.I.S.H. Arizona.  I decided shortly after I got out of the hospital that I wanted to do something in return for the second chance at life that I was given.  (Editors note:  In January 2007, Stephanie had '2' aneurisms at the same time, survived and walks at least 5 miles everyday!)  My roommate found out about the walk and after we talked and did more looking into it I thought that this was my way to show my gratefullness for the second chance I was given.  By walking, I am hoping that someone else will benefit and be given their second chance or perhaps not even have to go that far and catch the disease before it starts.  

 My name is Holly Baker, a mother of 2 daughters and I walk because I am fortunate that I have not been touched by breast cancer in a physical way. I walk because I have felt the distress, sadness and fear that those I admire and love as they fight (some have lost their battle).  I walk so that we can raise awareness of how important it is to check yourself for signs...early detection!  I want to be a part in helping with the funding to continue research to find a cure.  I have met some incredible women on Team W.I.S.H. and for them, I walk too. 

 My name is Sherly Kibler and I'm a member of Team W.I.S.H Arizona and the reason I walk began as a personal journey.  You see my sister and I are 8 years apart in age.  Pictured here, I'm in the middle and on my left is my sister Stephanie and on the right a good friend, Suzzette.  This is day 2 in the 2005 3 Day Susan G. Komen Walk. Stephanie and I never had much in common growing up, mostly due to the age difference (She liked dolls and I liked boys)  Our grandmother was diagnosed at age 76 with breast cancer and died 2 years later in 2001.  So when I heard the advertisements on the radio about the 3 Day, I thought that would be a great way to re-connect with my sisiter and support a good cause.  That day every time I got in the car I heard that commercial.  When I came home that evening I told my husband I knew what I was going to do to help fill the emptiness.  I was feeling because our boys (now men) had grown up and moved out, into their own place and I had some extra time on my hands.  He told me I was crazy and I would never get my sister to walk with me.  Well, I love it when we can prove men wrong.  I have been on Team W.I.S.H. Arizona for 4 years and Stephanie has walked with me for 2 years.  She continues to support the team by fundraising and by supporting me.  My hope is to stop walking one day when there is a cure.  I also hope my granddaughter wears pink ribbons in her hair for fun and never has to experience the pain of this horrible disease we call breast cancer.

My name is Sandra Conner and I am a member of Team W.I.S.H. Arizona.  I married into a wonderful family and I soon found out that the only grandma I'd ever know had breast cancer.  One of the only aunts I'd ever know was a two-time surivor of breast cancer.  I look at them in awe and amazement because they never gave up.  I watch my girls play and dance around and see all the women in my family and know that I never want to see them go through what Gma and Aunt Connie have gone through.  I walk becuase I love my family.  I walk for all the people who have fought the fight and lost and for all of those who fought the fight and won.  I walk so there will never be another battle again.

  My name is Terri Pearlman, I am a new member of Team W.I.S.H. Arizona and the sister to team member, Ginger Zuber.  I always heard about others with breast cancer but it didn't seem so 'real' until I was diagnosed with it. I found the lump in my breast and couldn't believe I had not felt it before!  It was large.  I called my family doctor and after seeing her and getting a mammogram and ultracound, she sent me to a breast doctor.  After a biopsy I was told I had cancer.  I had a lumpectomy and then was told they couldn't get it all and I would have to have a mastectomy.  NOW, breasts cancer has a new meaning to me!  We shouldn't wait until it affects us, a loved one, or a friend before we get involved.  Raising money to get to the 'CURE' is a matter of life and death!  I not only walk/crew for myself, but for all those who are or will be affected with breast cancer and for those who lost the battle.  I feel very blessed to be alive!  And this is due to all the research that has been done.  This is a tough thing to deal with and I do believe that your frame of mind and your faith has a lot to do with dealing with cancer.  I had a lot of people praying for me.  I thank my sister, Ginger, for introducing me to the 3Day Walk.  Last year, after going to a cheering station and to the closing ceremony I was truly inspired.  (And this year I have hair!)

 

  My name is Carol Stacy and I've been a member of Team W.I.S.H. for two years.  I had always wanted to do the 3-Day 60 mile Susan G. Komen walk but never took the time and then my daughter signed us both up on Mother's Day.  My training became a passion because I knew this was a challenge I wanted to complete but more importantly, to raise funds to find a cure for this terrible disease!  Several years ago I met Charlotte Shelby - a girlfriend of a girlfriend from Champaign, IL.  Charlotte had been fighting breast cancer for 8 years and I was totally taken by her. Through all her treatments, medications and more she NEVER had a bad attitude or a why me.  She took this challenge on with courage, spirit and never quit laughing. She met me at the finish line last year in November and while she lost her battle last week, I promised her I would meet her at the finish line with a smile on my face.  And I know I will  - because Charlotte and all the other friends, mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins and more will be pushing us to the finish - pushing us to find a cure.  So for all those women, my daughter, Staci who believed in me and my sweet granddaughter, Sara...I will continue to walk, continue to fundraise and continue to fight - just as Charlotte did.

My name is Maureen Koonsman and I am a member of Team W.I.S.H. She walks without, so I walk for...my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and it has been a year since her mastectomy.  I walk for my mom who is now a survivor. I walk so that no other women will have to walk or live without. 

My name is Charez Norris and I am a member of Team W.I.S.H.  I am walking in memory of my Auntie Grace and Kelly Carson.  These women showed great courage as they battled breast cancer with passion and dignity.  Often times we feel helpless in what we can do to help others and this is the reason I am choosing to embark on this big adventure of my life.  For each step I take I can think of those women that have gone before me and think of those women yet to come.  I just want to help make a difference.

 My name is Rebecca O'Kray-Murphy and I am a member of TeamW.I.S.H. My son's friend's mom, Kenon, is currently being treated for breast cancer.  She is my inspiration this year and I am walking in her honor.  Kenon had Hodgkin's disease 10 years ago.  She received radiation, which the doctors now believe caused her breast cancer.  During her breast cancer treatment, she had complications with blood clots and has been dealing with that too.  Last summer, she shared with me that the disease was a great gift in her life, because she saw so much kindness and love in people.  Each wekk she sends me emails and letters updating me on her cndition and these letters warm my heart.  She is thanking God for all her blessings - something that most would forget to do when during their times of physical suffering.  I am incredibly bless to have her in my life and I am amazed by her strength.  I am taking this journey with my mom, Jane.  I am excited to share this experience with her.  I am walking for Kenon, for my daughter, my niece, my mother, my sister and for all the women in my life that they will not have to go through this battle.

 I am a member of Team W.I.S.H., my name is Lori Ripple and I walk because my stepmother is a cancer survivor.  When she had her surgery and treatment I was busy with my own personal problems.  She never told me about the cancer until it was all over and she was back to the business of life.  I was devastated that no one said anything to me so that I could support her and be there for her, they thought I had enough on my plate.  This still bothers me so I decided to show her that I care enough about her and my half sisters to do something to help them.  She has been cancer free for 15 years but my sisters are still at risk so I continue my support. 

   My name is Sandy Tsukamoto, this will be my 2nd year walking the 3-Day and I'm a member of Team W.IS.H.  I knfiui866545332ow a number of people that have battled breast cancer - an aunt, a cousin, a sister-in-law as well as neighbors.  I will for them.  I walk for another cousin who is at high rish.  I walk so that I come no closer to this disease that the high risk I'm already at.  I walk so that my beautiful daughter who becomes an adult this summer never has to experience being with anyone battling this disease...especially herself.

  My name is Louise Clair and I am a member of Team W.I.S.H. I walk because I had an Aunt that died from breast cancer.  I also have a lot of friends who are breast cancer survivors and this is a cause that I think is very important.  I would love to see the day when they find a cure so my daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughter won't have to worry about this disease.

 My name is Ginger Zuber, I am a member of Team W.I.S.H. and last year was a turning point for me.  My sister, Terri, had a mastectomy, it hit home for me and I walked.  At the end of last year's amazing journey, I made a promise to myself and to everyone out there that I will walk until there is a cure.  This affects everyone, whether you believe it or not.  I walk for mothers, sisters, daughters, fathers, brothers, sons and grandchildred...past, present and future.  I BELIEVE, I WALK, for a CURE!

  My name is Laurie Smith and I am a member of Team W.I.S.H.                           

 I am walking for my mother-in-law, Janice Smith.  She is now going through Chemo for the second time.  I admire her strength and courage.  I am also walking for my daugher, Tatum Smith, for the hope that when she is old enough to worry about breast cancer, there will be a cure!

   My name is Linda Kacmarsky and I am the founder & honorary 'captain' of Team W.I.S.H. - As a breast cancer survivor, I am walking to celebrate those who have survived and honor those who have lost their battle with the disease.  When a cure is found, I can say I was part of it.

  My name is Mary O'Connor and I am a new member of Team W.I.S.H.  I am walking for everyone I know that has been touched by breast cancer.  More specifically, I am walking to support my daughter and myself, both breast cancer survivors.  My daughter, Barbara, was diagnosed in August, 2004 when she was 28 years old.  Two long years of chemo and a stem-cell transplant later, she is finally in remission. She has a new battle now with 'multiple sclerosis' because of the extensive chemo she endured.  Her strength however is only compounded by her resolve to conquer the new battle, so onward we fight!  I was diagnosed only a few months after Barbara in October, 2004.  I had already lost one daughter to cancer as well as my mother and I did not think anything else could change my perspective on cancer.  However, when Barbara and I were diagnosed with breast cancer my perspective did change, everything changed.  It changed for the better and I am a stronger woman for it.  I am also incredibly grateful for having been blessed with the journey.  I am a survivor, standing along side and walking for my daughter, who is also a survivor and I want to fight for all the women, children and men whose lives are forever changed by this experience. (Photo - L- Becky & R- Barbara)

 My name is Susan Martin and I am a new member of Team W.I.S.H.  I am walking in honor of the people that I taught with who have battled or are battling breast cancer.  I am walking in honor of my daughters' grandmother who is a long-term breast cancer survivor.  I am walking in memory of my granddaughter's paternal grandmother who lost her battle to cancer before she ever got to see that precious little girl.  I am walking in hopes that a cure might be found so that this disease might never touch these children and grandchildren and so many others, ever again.

   My name is Pauli Beel - I am a first time walker and new member of Team W.I.S.H.  I heard the commericals, actually didn't pay that much attention to them, then one day something inside of me just said - that I had to do it too.  I thought about it, realized that I have many reasons as to why I should walk, and registered the next day.  I had a close call 2 years ago, my ex-Mother-in-law is a two time breast cancer survivor (4yrs & 13 years ago), a friends Mom lost her battle and my Dad's roommates twin was just diagnosed.  I really can't explain as to why I feel like I have to do this.  But I do know the most important reason of all is because we need a cure - so no one ever loses a loved one again.

  My name is Dyanne Rice Mogan and I am a member of Team W.I.S.H.  I am walking because I can.  I am walking for those men and women who cannot.  I am walking for those dear to me - friends, family and classmates - those who have lost their courageous battle with cancer.  As Susan G. Komen for the Cure explains, of the 200,000 American women diagnosed with cancer this year, approximately 40,000 will die.  This is my motivation for joining Team W.I.S.H. and for walking so far.  I am walking in the hope that together we will find a cure; and for those individuals who, despite enduring the agony of breast cancer, demonstrate an awesome spirt and faith in the belief that one day we will end breast cancer forever.  At the age of thirteen, a tragic car accident claimed the life of my 21 year old sister and left me crippled for two years.  If my sister were here, she would walk with me.  Therefore, because I can walk I will do so with my sister in my heart and mind and for those who cannot.