My name is Shirley Panek. When I signed up to do the 2002 Avon 3-Day Walk in Colorado, I didn't have a clear goal in mind.

My friend, a former 3-Day participant, invited me to join her for the walk Ft. Collins to Boulder. I thought it would be fun - if you consider walking 20 miles a day fun! :-) A chance to reconnect with an old friend. A chance to walk in memory of her mother. A chance to walk in honor of a cousin who is currently battling the disease.

In December, I found a lump in my breast. I've gone in for a mammogram and ultrasound, and both are negative. I'm relieved, but I began to think, what if...

What if this is breast cancer?

What if I become a statistic?
** 1 in 8 women who will develop breast cancer
** 182,000 will be diagnosed this year
** 40,800 will die of breast cancer and 80% of those will have no genetic predisposition

What if I couldn't afford to see a doctor, or get a mammogram?

What if there was no money for funding research on this terrible disease?

How would I feel? What would I do?
Would I be willing to walk 60 miles and take a step towards ending breast cancer? Would I be willing to raise money for the funding? Would I feel the need to talk with everyone I know about breast cancer? To donate my time and resources to help find a cure? To ask for help from friends, loved ones, and strangers?

The answer is a resounding YES!

And that is what I'm doing. I'm asking for your help. I'm asking you to make a commitment with me and donate your money to help me win this war we are waging on breast cancer. I'm asking you to send me the names of your friends and families who have conquered the disease, or those who have bravely fought, but are counted among those who are lost. I am walking in their memory, in their honor. I am walking so that those who can't afford medical help will recieve it.

YOU can help. YOU can make a difference.
Together, WE can help put an end to breast cancer.