Statistics show one in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. It could be a sorority sister, professor, co-worker, friend or relative.
For SMU alumna Andrea Geppert, it was her grandmother — one reason that influenced the 1997 grad to walk in the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation June 10-12.
“I have many women in my life who are special to me. I want the best treatment available to anyone who has to fight this battle,” said Geppert, a Delta Delta Delta alumna and SMU soccer letter winner.
Geppert’s grandmother is a survivor, as is Geppert’s mother from another form of cancer. She acknowledged the fact that this creates a greater risk that someone else in her family could get breast cancer. Geppert will walk with her sister-in-law, Caroline, who also knows many people who have or have had the disease.
“She and I decided to participate together to raise awareness and help find a cure before our children have to face this disease,” Geppert said. “I have also met many people who have participated in the past who say it is an amazing experience and well worth the hard work.”
Geppert’s hard work includes training by walking, running, lifting weights or playing soccer every day. Though she runs many 5Ks, including the Komen Race for the Cure with her mother, walking 60 miles in three days will be a first.
“Everyone says to me when they find out what I am doing, ‘Are you crazy?’” Geppert said. “Walking 20 miles for three days straight will take incredible stamina and heart.”
Participants will travel throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but the route is still being finalized. They will wake up between 6 and 8 a.m., have breakfast and start walking. They can take breaks at pit stops every two or three miles. They will have lunch provided mid-day and dinner at the final destination. At night they’ll enjoy entertainment, maybe a band, dance or karaoke, and then sleep in tents.
“It will be an inspiration to see the thousands of men and women walking together and hear their personal stories,” Geppert said.
The D/FW walk is the first of 12 scheduled across the country from June to October. Participants raise a minimum of $2,100. Fifteen percent of the proceeds go to National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, and 85 percent goes to the Komen Foundation, which was founded by SMU honorary degree recipient Nancy Goodman Brinker in 1982 after her sister Suzy died of breast cancer at age 36.
To learn more about the 3-Day visit www.3day.com.
