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Annual Cancer Walk Becomes Personal For Team Leader

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: September 15, 2007

Last year, when New Port Richey's Jeanie Almo led a team of eight people to raise $27,000 for the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation, she conducted her efforts with a great deal of personal conviction.

'When I started, I did it to get healthy, to get in shape for a great cause,' said Almo, construction supervisor at West Pasco Habitat For Humanity. 'Also because I have two daughters, and the scary fact of the matter is that - statistically - 1 in 3 women will be directly affected by breast cancer.'

As Almo leads the Chicks Kickin' Asphalt team in this year's Tampa leg of the Breast Cancer 3-Day, scheduled for Oct. 19-21, it will be more personal.

'This year my motivation is a lot different,' she said. 'Colleen Ewing, my best friend from elementary school, died in March from breast cancer.'

Ewing, a mother of two young sons who cheered Almo's team on at last year's event, had planned to join her friend at this year's walk. Her spirit still will drive Almo's 2007 3-Day effort.

My team's goal is to raise $30,000 to $40,000 this year, she said. 'And aside from the Tampa walk, I also plan to participate in this year's Phoenix leg of the 3-Day Walk.'
Almo also dedicates this year's walk to Joe Grauso, a Tampa Bay area performer - also known as the Big Bald Guy -who performed at a 2006 New Port Richey Elks Lodge fundraising event for Almo's team. Grauso lost his own battle with cancer this year.

'He was one of our biggest supporters, giving money and time,' Almo said.

Again this year, the New Port Richey Elks will host an evening of fun and music today to benefit Almo's team. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure fundraiser will feature performances by Victoria K., a young country music performer who has been honored as Nashville Music Network's Rising Star, 2006 Vocalist of the Year, 2006 Most Promising Entertainer and 2006 Most Promising Songwriter at the North American Country Music Association International Competition in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; Joel and Lyn; KC and the Vocal Cord; and The Twist.

'These great acts all are donating their time,' said Almo.

Food offerings likely will include Italian-style dishes such as pasta and pizza plus popular fare such as fried chicken, plus snacks and hors d'oeuvres.

In Almo's eyes, the ultimate reward for participants will be the support of a valuable cause.

'No one should have to lose their family member to breast cancer,' she said. 'We need to find a cure.'

CHICKS KICKIN' ASPHALT FUNDRAISER

SOME BACKGROUND: New Port Richey's Jeanie Almo leads Chicks Kickin' Asphalt, a 12-member team that aims to raise $30,000-$40,000 in the Tampa leg of this year's Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: According to www.the3day.org, 'net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Days benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fund breast cancer research and community outreach, as well as the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, to provide an endowment for breast cancer initiatives.'

A LITTLE HISTORY: Last year marked Almo's debut at the walk, where her eight-member team, which included her 20-year-old daughter, Neisa Jones, raised $27,000. This year, Jones will be a volunteer at the Tampa 3-Day.

WHAT'S NEXT?: The Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk will be Oct. 19-21 in the Tampa Bay area. And 2-8 p.m. today, the New Port Richey Elks Lodge, 7210 Congress in New Port Richey, will host a benefit for Almo's 3-Day team. This event, which will feature food, music and drawings, will cost $10 per person. For information, call (727) 846-8012.

GET INVOLVED: To support the efforts of Chicks Kickin' Asphalt, visit www.the3day.org/tampabay07/jeaniealmo or call (727) 848-4372.

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