03/24/2008
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Staff photo by Joe PhelanSo Keleine Laflin has had to take her training indoors to prepare for the 3-Day Walk for Breast Cancer in Boston.
She averages three to four miles a day on the treadmill.
The 60-mile walk, which benefits the Susan G. Komen For the Cure, a national philanthropic trust project, will be held August 15-17.
The Breast Cancer 3-Day walk series will visit 14 cities throughout the countr y starting in Chicago on Aug. 8 and ending in San Diego on Nov. 23. The 2008 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series will generate millions of dollars to fund critical breast cancer research and community-outreach programs.
The 35-year-old mother of three from Readfield will walk with a 10-woman team from Maine.
She said her mom has had 13 lumps removed from both breasts. The lumps were benign. Her husband's aunt is a breast cancer survivor.
But it's the women she works with at the Senator Inn & Spa who have left an impression. As an esthetician, Laflin treats a number of breast cancer survivors.
"They are so incredibly strong," Laflin said Friday. "They've had mastectomies and double mastectomies or are going through chemo and radiation. I just feel it affects so many people in so many ways ... children, husbands and friends. It's affected me very strongly and this is something I need to do."
Laflin will be walking with a team called the Pink Panters. The name of the team represents the color of the breast cancer ribbon, and their panting dogs that trail along when the women train outdoors on good-weather days.
Her three-year-old beagle, Dori, just wants to go, go, go.
"I'm not going to take her on the walk, because it's a 60-mile walk," she said.
The three-day route covers from 15 miles to 22 miles each day for three days in a row, totaling about 60 miles.
After a long day's journey, teams will spend the evening at the 3-Day camp with fellow walkers and crew members.
Camp will consist of many different areas, including dining tents, where they will eat dinner and breakfast; and shower and sink trucks, for washing up.
There will be a 3-Day Café for relaxation and socialization, a stage for nightly announcements and entertainment, and a sea of two-person tents that will be their home away from home.
"I'm very excited," she said. "I think it's going to be a new adventure, and definitely going to be a personal achievement for me as well. It will be fun. I'm looking forward to it."
But first Laflin must raise $2,200 to participate in the walk. People can donate at www.the3day.org.
Sarah Richardson, spokeswoman for Breast Cancer 3-Day event, said contributions can be made to the general breast cancer treatment fund or a specific walker at the 3-Day web page.
Jen Thibert, 37, a fellow walker from Oakland, has already raised half the funds she needed.
The stay-at-home mom has never participated in a fundraiser walk before so it's all new to her.
But she wanted to do it on behalf of her mom, Diane Foley of Bucksport, who is celebrating her 10th year as a breast cancer survivor.
"It's important to raise awareness," Thibert said. "Every time we get out there and do a fundraiser we're raising awareness of cancer and how people can help to prevent breast cancer by taking care of themselves and doing the exams, those types of things."
Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408
mcooper@centralmaine.com
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