DENVER, Colo. - A former Bark River resident, who walked 60 miles to help in the fight against breast cancer recently in Denver, said the "Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure" was an emotional and challenging experience.
"I made it. I am still very sore," were the first words Bonnie St. John, 27, said about the walk during a telephone interview Sept. 1. The Bark River graduate lives in Denver, where she works as a massage therapist.
St. John, along with more than 500 other walkers, participated in the 60-mile, three-day event Aug. 27-29. She endured hot weather, blisters and shin splints, but also gained friendships and accomplished her goal.
"It was really a great experience," St. John said. "It was a very emotional weekend. The opening and closing ceremonies were motivational and emotional."
The group began their trek in the foothills outside Denver, walking about 21 miles the first day, 23 miles the second day, and 16 miles the third day, completing the route in Denver.
They camped two nights at the same site in "a sea of pink tents," said St. John. There was lots of food, showers set up in semi trucks, and sports medical staff on hand to help with aches and injuries.
St. John said everyone was so supportive along the route with people cheering, offering snacks and spraying the walkers with water. Most of the participants were part of teams. She joined the fund-raiser as an individual but was asked to walk with a team of women whom she formed friendships with along the way.
"I heard a lot of survival stories and a lot of sad stories," St. John said about the weekend. "There were a lot of survivors around my age, young women. That really made an impression on me."
St. John was inspired to participate in the walk because two close family members have survived cancer, one with breast cancer and the other with brain cancer.
She also wanted to help raise funds for breast cancer research and community programs. She accomplished her personal goal of raising $2,300 from family, friends and others.
"I want to thank those supporters who gave donations," she added.
St. John said she highly recommends others to participate in similar fund-raisers to experience the challenge while also helping others. She herself won't walk in the event next year, but she plans to be a volunteer who helps participants.
