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Jennifer Larson
Community Editor
Despite her short battle with breast cancer, Kathy Peterson had never felt fatigued. That was until she participated in a national fund raiser to draw awareness to the disease. For the second year, Peterson has signed up for the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day – a 60-mile walk spanning a weekend. Like 2007, her 26-year old daughter, Kristy, will be along for the journey that winds around the metro area.
Kathy said it was such an incredible experience, they’re going back for more. The event benefiting the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust will be held Sept. 19-21. Both of them must raise at least $2,200 before then.
“It was really a fun thing to do together,” she said.
A three year survivor this February, Kathy lost her mother, Mary Boyle, and close friend, Fran Stangler, to breast cancer. It is a disease she hopes no woman – friend nor foe – will have to fight.
“I highly encourage women to have mammograms every year,” Kathy said, noting that is how her Stage 1 breast cancer was detected.
She did not have any tell-tale lumps. However, Kristy did find one at the young age of 24-years old. Fortunately for the Peterson’s only daughter, the lump was not cancerous.
Kathy, who is a certified medical assistant at the Allina Clinic in Forest Lake, under went six-weeks of radiation treatment in 2005. Today, she takes oral medication to block estrogen in her body.
“I was really very lucky,” Kathy said, of having no hairloss or sickness and being able to work during her treatment.
Gearing up
To be ready for the physically demanding event, participants train months in advance. They’re building up muscle and endurance to walk 20 miles each day – in the summer.
During the 3-Day, there are pit stops every three miles where participants can use the portable restrooms, quench their insatiable thirst or grab a quick snack. All the food, which is well-balanced and healthy, is provided by the event organizers. There are activities at the pit stops as well as entertainment at night. Sweep vans transport walkers who need a lift to the next pit stop. Participants were provided with pink dome tents that fit two people. They were only allowed to bring one duffle bag to carry clothes and amenities but also a pillow, sleeping bag and two pairs of shoes.
“It’s very minimal,” Kathy said, noting that while she was sans make-up, others didn’t let the conditions stop them from primping.
After the 3-Day walk, Kathy and Kristy lounged around the house to regain their energy.
“The next day I was truly fatigued,” Kathy said. “I don’t think we could walk another day.”
A partnership
Supporting breast cancer awareness and research has become a family affair with Kathy’s husband, Randy, lending his talents to the cause.
He created “A View from Within,” a composition depicting a beautiful scene along the shores of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota with Split Rock Lighthouse in the background.
Completed on Sept. 16, 2007, the artwork is from a pen and ink drawing created in the style of pointillism.
Randy said that lighthouses are not only a navigational tool but they also represent survival. The original artwork and proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The prints and note cards were donated by his employer, ECM Publishers, Inc., parent company to the Forest Lake Times.
“I’m not making any money off of this,” he said.
The inspiration for “A View from Within” came from one day in August 2007 in Minneapolis when Randy attended the closing ceremonies for the 3-Day walk.
As all the participants were walking to the finish, he said it was amazing to see so many people with so much support and enthusiasm.
In fact, Randy said it was quite emotional watching the survivors go by, and seeing the small children hugging their mothers as they were finishing the race.
“He was still as much affected by it as I was,” Kathy said.
Aside from wanting to help fund important breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment, there was an underlying reason why Kathy participated in the 3-Day event.
“It was also a personal challenge to see if I could walk 60 miles,” she said.
The print is a limited edition with 5,000 signed and numbered. It is priced at $18. Packages of 10 blank note cards on the inside with envelopes cost $8.50. With the exception of $3 for shipping and packaging, the remaining proceeds of $15 (print) and $5.50 (note cards) will be donated to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
To purchase “A View from Within” items, visit Randy’s Web site at www.lighthouse-artist.com.
To make a donation, go to www.the3day.org, click on the donate now tab and search for the participants personal fund-raising page like Kathleen Peterson. A donation form can be downloaded online to mail-in contributions.
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