All across the country this weekend, thousands of people will participate in a 60-mile fundraising Susan G. Komen walk – 20 miles each day for three days with camping and fellowship each night. Survivors share their stories. Loved ones walk in memory of those they lost to breast cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, 2.5 million survivors live in the United States. Over 40,000 women died from breast cancer in 2009. These numbers are what prompted Shepherdstown resident Marion Wolfe to form a team to help raise money for the much needed research.

Almost 15 years ago, Marion’s coworker discovered she had breast cancer. She was operated on very swiftly and took the Tomoxifin medication which was developed by the Susan G. Komen foundation. She has been careful to have regular checkups and remains cancer free today. Her friends nicknamed her Roxy.

Those same friends have named their walking team “Team Roxy” to honor her. This is the first time Wolfe has ever attempted anything like this. She has been very impressed with “the support provided by the Susan G. Komen foundation.”

“Virtual coaches get you through all the training,” Wolfe said. “The website helps with all the paperwork, registration, funds collected and more.”

At first, Wolfe was concerned about raising the required entry fee of $2,300. She sent out one e-mail to family, friends and co-workers and was stunned by the response.

“People were anxious to contribute. This disease touches so many lives – young, old and anyone in between.”

Wolfe realized that not everyone would be able to participate in such a huge undertaking. It’s not just a three-day gruelling event, away from home and family responsibilities. There have also been countless hours of training.

Today the walkers will partake in the opening ceremonies at National Stadium in Washington, D.C., commencing at 7 a.m. Then they will walk, “all up hill” to Bethesda.

The next day they will walk around and through Germantown and back to their camp for a well-deserved rest.

Sunday the walk will culminate with a ceremony at the Washington Monument. This will be the last year that they get to hold the ceremony at the Monument until the lengthy renovations are completed.

More information is available at the Susan G. Komen website.

Wolfe’s team has already raised $8,000. They can continue to collect for three months after this weekend. This is Wolfe’s first time on a team. She does not know if she will be able to complete the distances, but she is sure she’s going to try.

She “appreciates being healthy enough to try.”