August 27, 2004

SF Breast Cancer 3-Day

Evergreen women to walk 60 miles in three days

(From left) Gerda Weber and Jaci Gamaza have been raising awareness about the San Francisco Breast Cancer 3-Day walk at the Evergreen Farmer’s Market.

Jaci Gamaza and Gerda Weber of Evergreen will join approximately 4,000 other dedicated women and men at the San Francisco Breast Cancer 3-Day walk on Oct. 15 – 17 to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust. This is one of ten 3-Day events planned around the country in 2004.

The participants will walk 20 miles a day for three days to battle breast cancer one step at a time. For some, the Breast Cancer 3-Day is a tribute to those lost to breast cancer. For others, it is a rally for loved ones still fighting the disease, and for many, it is a celebration of their lives as breast cancer survivors.

Whatever their inspiration, all participants have the same goal: to raise breast cancer awareness and to raise money for critical research and community outreach programs that can help put an end to breast cancer.

Second year of participation
For Gamaza and Weber, their motivation to complete the 60-mile walk for breast cancer this year stems from participating in the 2003 San Francisco Breast Cancer 3-Day event. After discovering how supportive everyone was in the donation process, they were excited to walk again this year.

“We were so moved by the outpouring of support by family, friends and strangers—as well as seeing so many people from all walks of life working together towards a common goal—that we felt compelled to walk again,” said Gamaza, who participated last year when Weber invited her to walk.

“I had heard of the walk and had always been intrigued by it,” she continued. “The more I thought about it, the more I realized how many friends and family have been affected by breast cancer, and I wanted to do something bold to help fight the disease. What better way than to join my friend in accomplishing something as challenging as the 3-Day?”

In 2000, Gamaza retired early from the Superior Court because of mental and physical exhaustion. “This was a personal challenge to fight back and be myself again while helping others in their time of personal difficulty,” she added.

Weber walks in memory of her cousin, Tilly, who died this year of breast cancer.

“Tilly battled this dreaded disease for six years and succumbed at the age of 45, leaving behind three children and her husband,” said Weber. “I walk and am committed to raising money so that no other child will be left without their mother because of breast cancer.”

To raise more than $20 million
This year, in California alone, approximately 22,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Every two hours, a California woman dies of breast cancer. Nearly 200,000 women in the state are living with a past or present diagnosis of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer 3-Day participants have an opportunity to celebrate breast cancer survivorship, to honor those who lost their lives to the disease and collectively, have an enormous impact on funding for breast cancer programs.
The Komen Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust estimate that the Breast Cancer 3-Day events will realize more than $20 million (net) through 2004 alone to fund critical breast cancer research, education and community outreach programs.

Weber’s company, Mortgage Magic, where she is a loan specialist, supports her participation in the walk.
“Knowing that the Komen Foundation and the National Philanthropic Trust are involved in the Breast Cancer 3-Day assures me that the events will be well-managed, and that the millions of dollars we raise will support the fight against breast cancer,” said Weber.

As the primary beneficiary of the Breast Cancer 3-Day Series, the Komen Foundation will receive 85 percent of the net proceeds to support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

An independent non-profit organization, National Philanthropic Trust is the event manager and will direct up to 15 percent of the net proceeds to establish the NPT Breast Cancer Fund, which will provide a special field of interest fund for breast cancer initiatives.

Details of the event
The Breast Cancer 3-Day in San Francisco will start on Friday morning, Oct. 15, and end with closing ceremonies on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 17. The approximately 4,000 walkers will cover about 20 miles a day, traveling at their own pace.

The walkers will be supported by approximately 500 volunteer crew members who will provide meals, water and snack stops, gear transport, hot showers, portable restrooms, safety on the streets and comprehensive medical services.

“In 2003 we discovered that safety was the number one priority, and the walkers had outstanding and caring support from hundreds of volunteers during the event,” Weber added.

To participate, each walker must train for the event and must commit to raising a minimum of $2,000. Many walkers will raise more than the minimum. To help prepare for the Breast Cancer 3-Day, each walker is supported by coaches who assist in all aspects of training and fundraising, while clinics, meetings, training sessions and mailings provide ongoing support.

To help Weber or Gamaza reach their goals, you may make a donation directly to their donation pages online at www.The3Day.org. Names are case specific on the Web site, so you must enter Jacqueline Gamaza or Gerda Weber for the Web site to find their names.

You may also download forms from the Web site or contact Weber at 270-5308 or Gamaza at 274-3243 for donation forms. To learn how to participate or volunteer with the Breast Cancer 3-Day, visit www.The3Day.org or call (800) 996-3DAY.

For more information or to become a walker, supporter or volunteer “crew member,” visit www.The3Day.org or call (800) 996-3DAY.