There are

not many degrees of separation between you and someone

who has had their lives touched by breast cancer. Chances

are it has affected either you, a member of your family,

or one of your friend's and their family.

For Audrey

Fowler, it was more personal. Not only was her mother a

two time breast cancer survivor, but she is a survivor

too. It has been four years since she had been diagnosed

and breast cancer awareness and prevention is now the

cause for her entire family.

Fowler, a

teacher at Arnold Elementary School in Jonesboro, has

participated in two 5K Fun Runs/Walks in the "Races

for the Cure" and in October she will participate in

the Avon Breast Cancer 3 Day.

The event

is a 60 mile walk from Lake Lanier Island to Atlanta,

spanning three days. The purpose of the walk is to raise

funds and awareness for breast cancer prevention,

education, and early detection. Fowler heard about the 3

Day in January and has been an incredible ally ever

since.

"This

event has just taken over our lives," said Fowler.

Ever since she registered to be a walker in the event,

her family has become just as involved.

Fowler's

husband, Wayne, a biomedical engineer for Dade Bearing,

soon volunteered for the set-up team and is now a team

leader and one of the top volunteer recruiters the 3 Day

has.

Fowler's

daughter Amy will be volunteering at various pit stops

over the three days of walking. Both the walkers and the

crew will have their work cut out for them in what is to

be a true test of strength and endurance, as well as an

incredible source of inspiration and fun.

To prepare

for the long walk, Fowler walks around 12 miles a day. As

the walk gets closer, she plans to walk what will be a

full day during the event, close to 20 miles.

She has

also been taking Spin classes at Gold's Gym. Spin is

stationary bike riding led by an aerobic instructor. The

classes are building up her endurance and lower body

strength. Her training is sure to intensify in the coming

weeks, despite being slightly curtailed by the start of a

new school year.

The crew

began their preparations this weekend as well. During the

walk, the set up crew will be setting up a mobile city

able to house and feed close to 3000 participants. Each

city will consist of four person tents, medical tents, a

dining tent, a stage with entertainment each night and

anything else that might be needed during the walk.

The hours

will be long and the work will be tiring. Their reward

will be establishing comfortable surroundings for the

walkers. Both the walkers and crew members are completely

dedicated to the cause and the event.

Fowler will

certainly be ready for the walk when it finally arrives.

Not only has she walked every day in the oppressive heat

of this summer, but each walker gets advice and

assistance from a walker/coach.

One of the

tips she has received this summer has proved invaluable.

Fowler's coach recommended that she put Vaseline on her

feet to cut down on friction and prevent blisters. She

has done that and has avoided blisters the entire season.

She has also learned her lesson in staying hydrated and

keeping her electrolytes up. Fowler believes that

Gatorade may be her new best friend by the time the walk

comes around.

There have

been similar walks done before. The first walk was done

in Los Angeles. It was such a success there that four

have been scheduled across the country this year. There

has already been a 3 Day in Chicago this year and New

York and Los Angeles will also host one.

It is

definitely a massive undertaking that is hard to

comprehend until it has already begun. Each walker is

required to raise at least $1,700 in contributions to

help sponsor awareness courses and early detection

screenings for those who cannot afford them. Crew members

are also encouraged to raise funds. So far, Fowler and

her husband have raised a combined $2,600. Their goal is

$3,500.

There are

still plenty of ways to get involved. The set-up crew

needs a total of 25 volunteers and they are currently 7

people short of that number. Interested parties must be

able to dedicate four days to the event and be ready to

rough it and work very hard. Donations and sponsorship

are also still available and much appreciated.

If you are

interested in donating money or time, call Audrey or

Wayne Fowler at 770-631-9801.

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