Sandi’s mother is a 14 year survivor - but she easily could not be. She was diagnosed after skipping her mammogram one year because "work was too busy". Lori’s mother lost her battle to breast cancer on March 4, 2010 after a 20 year on and off battle. Sandi’s friend Courtney is an eight year survivor...she was 31 when she was diagnosed. And another of Sandi’s friend’s that is only 24, and had a double mastectomy - Stage IV IBC, diagnosed at 23. She was originally diagnosed with a different type of cancer at 18, and was given 6 months to live. It's truly a miracle she's alive today. One of Komen’s very own spokeswomen, Bridget Spence, had survived six years longer than doctors ever thought possible thanks to grants, research, and clinical trials funded by Komen. (If you’d like to read her story of hope, courage, and inspiration: http://www.mybiggirlpants.blogspot.com/). Unfortunately Bridget's story has had a tragic end, as she passed away from this terrible disease at the beginning of April 2013, 3 months shy of her 30th birthday. Another friend, Sherry B., who was diagnosed at age 48 - the same age her mother was when she passed away from this same disease. Her terror and heartache are all too real. We have had several friends lose their loved ones to this disease, some of which we were honored to know personally, and some of which we only know through stories from our friends. This has to stop. We must find a cure.

We crew the 3-day because after 14 knee surgeries between the two of us; walking the 60 miles is no longer an option; but not participating is not an option either. We STRONGLY believe that crew members should fundraise, in fact, we set our goals high because we have made promises to our family and friends that we would not give up until a cure is found, and we won’t… we will continue to participate, we will continue to FUNDRAISE, and we will continue to make a difference. Because we truly believe that Everyone Deserves a Lifetime!