Meet the J-Walkers! My name is Joanne Harrington. I am captain of the J-Walkers with Maria Lannutti. The J-Walkers formed in 2006 in order to train, raise money and find mutual support in preparation for the Philadelphia 3-DAY event. We are women and young men from all walks of life from South Jersey and Philadelphia. I started walking in support of my dear friend's mother who passed away several years ago from breast cancer. Please read the stories of some of our team members and remember to give generously so that we may eradicate breast cancer forever.
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Joanne Faccenda- Hello, I am the second J in J-walkers. In January of 2006 I sat down and took time to read the notes and look at the pictures that came with my Christmas cards.
I received my usual card from my friend Jeanne`s son along with a picture of his newborn daughter. He named his daughter Jeanne in memory of his late Mother, Jeanne Giltinan Burge. Jeanne had been my best friend since I was six years old. She lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of forty.
As fate would have it, a 3-day commercial came on. The rest is history, I decided to make a difference so other women would be able to hold and love a new grandchild. Crying does not help, action does.
The next day, I received a call from a good friend, Joanne Harrington. She too had decided to walk and that is how the J-Walkers came to be. We walked in 2006 and 2007 in Philly, and also crewed in San Diego in 2007.
Our team is old and young, and from all walks of life. We have shared many tears, and also many good laughs. We all have one thing in common, eradicate breast cancer!!!
I am proud to walk with all of these women, and for all women. Please help us by clicking on the donate button, or support us by attending our fund raising events.
Thank You
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Hi, I'm Jill Simmermon. On April 10, 1998 I lost my Mom to breast cancer -- she started battling cancer when she was in her 40's -- she was very strong and very brave for her family. She didn't want us to worry...clearly, she was carrying all of this herself. After she passed I was very generous in donating to Breast Cancer Awareness. However, in 2006, I decided that simply sending in a check wasn't significant enough. I need to something BIG!! I had heard commercials for the 3-Day but didn't think I could do it... and I didn't think that one more person walking would ever make a difference. All I can say is "wow"...if you've never experienced something BIGGER than you, you really owe it to yourself to. At the first closing ceremony at Villanova in 2006 I committed that as long as I'm healthy, I'll be actively involved in the 3-DAY. Last year we traveled to Boston to participate in that 3-DAY. This year I'm lucky enough to be part of the elite J-Walkers (a group of women that I met training for the 2006 walk) and will be back walking in Philadelphia in October.
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Michelle - In 2006, I was dismayed to hear about the struggle of a high school friend who was fighting to beat breast cancer over many years, one day at a time. I wondered what I could do to support her and other women fighting to live. As if she read my mind, my dear friend (and J-Walker captain) sent me an email telling me she was going to walk and asked if I would walk or support her. I realized that this was something I could do to help find a cure so that my friend and other struggling as she is, have the best chance of surviving this disease. Walking 60 miles is a piece of cake compared to the daily lives of women living with breast cancer and something I can do to help make a difference in their lives.
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Maria - After walking in 2006 and 2007, I could not imagine being left out of this amazing weekend. This a life changing event. I walk for the many, for my family and friends, and for those who have or had cancer, and hope that some day we'll all just do this for the fun of it. If you can't walk with us, please stand behind us and sponsor us generously!!!
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Mary - Hi! My name is Mary. In 2006 a friend asked me to do the 3-DAY walk for breast cancer with her. After attending the orientation and signing up, now we had to raise $2,200! That's alot of money," I said. But my friend said "keep your eyes on Jesus, not the storm." That I did, and raised over $3,000!! This year, as a J-Walker, together we are raising thousands to help fight breast cancer - for our mothers, our sister, granddaughters, girlfriends. And don't forget the guys. Yes, they can get breast cancer also. Please help us and sponsor us or make a donation. Thank you.
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Julie and Kym
Golf for the Cure 2007
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Kym - Hi. In 2006 Joanne H. asked me to walk in the Philly 3-DAY with her so she did not have to walk alone. I am not a breast cancer survivor, but after being diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in 2002, I thought the walk would be a great way for me to show my support for all cancer victims and their families. Well look at us now! Along with a tremendous group of men and women on our team, we are about to walk in our fourth Philly 3-DAY! I am extremely proud to be a part of the J-Walkers and all that they do as they come together to try and eradicate this horrible disease. Each walker is required to raise $2,300. Won't you please support us and all those affected by breast cancer and donate to our team? Thank you.
We walk to show our support.
We walk for those who cannot.
We walk because we can.
We walk because we care.
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Melissa - My four kids are my biggest fans. They support me in every way they can. I wanted to walk so that a cure for breast cancer could be found. I want my children to grow up in a world that is cancer-free. I walk in honor of my Mom, Susan, and my friend, Stacy
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