On May 3-5 Beth Nelson and Christine Gildea, along with 2998 other men and women, will be walking to help find a cure for breast cancer in the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk. Since 1993, the Avon Breast Cancer Awareness Crusade has supported leading women's health issues by distributing nearly $155 million to non-profit health programs across the country.

Beth was adopted and lost her adoptive mother to cancer and recently found her biological mother who has been fighting breast cancer since 1990. Beth stated, "While my mom (adoptive) was sick, my prayers for her to live just one more day always included that I would do whatever was in my power to help in the fight to find a cure. Now, almost 9 years later, I am still doing what I can to increase awareness of cancer and to help raise funds for not only finding a cure, but to assist those who are personally battling the disease." Christine is walking to help battle the statistics of this horrible disease. One in nine women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the US and the leading cause of death among women between 40 and 55. This year, 175,000 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 42,000 will die.

This is where you come in…

We will be taking our commitment to the streets - literally! We will be walking 60 miles from Baltimore, MD to Washington; DC over the course of 3 days, stopping at night to sleep in a makeshift campground set up by the sponsor of the event, AVON. The funds that they raise will be distributed to non-profit breast cancer organizations across the country. We have agreed to raise $1900 each in pledges and are asking for your support for this incredible event with a fully tax-deductible contribution to help enable us to reach our goal by the April 20th deadline.

On-line donations can be made at www.bethepeople.com. Go to all events and then choose Avon 2002 3-Day in Washington, DC. Participant numbers 1799 and 1939. When the media covers this event, they'll see what dedication from people from Lakeridge Baptist Church can do. If you would like any additional information you may contact us via e-mail matthewscott2@prodigy.net.

THANK YOU,
Beth Nelson
Christine Gildea