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Cancer Walk Begins, And $5 Million Is The Goal

CHRIS URSO / The Tampa Tribune

More than 2,000 walkers are taking part in this weekend's Tampa Bay Breast Cancer 3-Day walk.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2007

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CLEARWATER - Karen Triplett carries the weight of more than a dozen people on her back, and she didn't flinch a bit when she volunteered to do it.

The names of those people, written in black on a pink background, are on her back today as she begins the 60-mile walk from Sand Key through Clearwater that eventually will end in St. Petersburg on Sunday afternoon.

"They are people who have survived cancer or succumbed to the disease," she says at the first rest stop along the way, sipping water and taking in some the shade under a tent set up for medical support.

"My best friend died of breast cancer," she says, offering the information without being asked why she is participating in this year's Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.

It's like that for most of the thousands of walkers, many in trademark pink shirts, hats, boas or tiaras, as they begin their arduous trek just after sunrise today.

To walk, a marcher must have raised at least $2,200, and there are more than 2,000 walkers, says Mary Lynn Arbour of Port Richey, who volunteers to help during the three-day event.

Today Arbour is setting up and taking down signs that point the way for walkers. She and a group of blue-shirted friends also hand out "bobs," a pink and white tube of material that can be used for any number of things, including wiping sweat or shading necks or just as a pink fashion accessory.

Walkers begin their journey on Sand Key and cross the hump of Sand Key bridge just after 8 a.m., greeted by the shimmering sun peering over the Clearwater skyline and making the water of the Intracoastal Waterway sparkle.

Chuck McGoldrick is from Arizona and directs traffic at the entrance of Sand Key Park. He is the morning greeter.

And he offers encouragement to everyone who passes.

"There are those smiles," he shouts to a grinning mob as a white van with pink lettering -- "All for one and one for all" -- scrawled on the side passes. Horns honk support, and marchers, already feeling festive, shout back and wave.

McGoldrick wears a pin that no one here disagrees with today: "Cancer Sucks."

"My mother died of breast cancer," he says, talking about how he travels all over the nation volunteering to help out at cancer walks. "And I'm a cancer survivor myself.

"I just finished a three-day walk in Atlanta," he says. "By the time I'm through this year, I will have done eight walks."

Coming here to Clearwater to take part in this walk was an easy decision, he adds. "I had some free time, and I wanted to do a little more."

There are more than 300 volunteers helping out along the way, says Kim Neitzke of New Port Richey, who is helping out by toting signs.

Friday's walk stretches about 22 miles, she says. Most walkers have groups or partners they walk with, but even if they don't, there is no shortage of friendly faces.

Besides the camaraderie, the walk is a way to raise money for cancer research. Organizers hope to raise $5 million this year from the local walk. The crush of people marching over Pinellas County, many from out of state, is a good start.

As the sun rises higher in the sky, walkers take a break at the first rest stop just east of the beach. Heat is a concern. Medical volunteers are there to make sure nobody is overcome.

Bridgid Levoir, a resident at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, says most of the walkers are keenly aware of their bodies and know how to stay safe.

"People know we are in Florida, and it's warm here, and they need to hydrate themselves," she says. "We are making sure they have a lot of refreshments."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or at kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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