Breast cancer walk draws thousands

By URIAH A. KISER
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: October 8, 2008

WOODBRIDGE — It was lunchtime for the more than 3,000 walkers who lined the streets of Woodbridge dressed in pink last week. 

Participants in the Washington D.C.-area Susan G. Komen Three-Day Walk to cure breast cancer were greeted Oct. 3 in the parking lot of Pfitzner Stadium just after 10 a.m. with sandwiches, snacks, music and applause.

For them it is a chance to relax, regroup and talk about why they were there. 

“I am walking for your mother, your sister; I’m walking for you and anyone else who has been affected by this disease” said Jane Thompson, of Philadelphia, Pa.

They came from Arizona, Georgia, Montana and as far away as Puerto Rico to show their support for finding a cure.

“I lost my aunt five years ago and she was only 45,” said Nelson Montanez, holding a banner that read, “Dreams” in bold pink lettering.

Montanez and his wife Ruth, both of Puerto Rico, said everyone deserves a chance at life.

Loud pink skirts, feather boas and decorated pink bras were in high fashion as Woodbridge-area motorists honked in support of the walkers.

“We have officers out there helping out along the roads but so far there have been no major problems,” said Officer J.D. Porter, with the Prince William Police Department. 

There were reports of traffic tie-ups near Prince William Parkway and Smoketown Road just after the walk started at 8 a.m., but the traffic seemed to dissipate as rush hour ended.

From there, the walkers began their trek down Old Bridge Road in Lake Ridge.

The total length of the walk was 20 miles, ending at Occoquan Regional Park.

There the foundation had set up a circus tent where the walkers would eat dinner, get a hot shower and see local performers and speakers, according to Sarah Ferguson, spokeswoman for the Komen Three-Day Walk.

They would also sleep there.

“We really call it a tent city because it is so huge, about 100 tents where they can get information, stuff from our sponsors and buy gear,” said Emily Anderson, tour manager with the walk.

The walkers were in the area the following day, with the walk ending on Sunday in Washington, D.C. 

This is eighth three-day walk of the year, with 14 in all raising at least $5 million at each walk across the country.

Each participant is expected to raise at least $2,200 to participate in the walk, said Anderson.

An estimated 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in 2008, according to statistics from the Komen Foundation.

Uriah A. Kiser is a staff writer at Media General’s Potomac News in Woodbridge.