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Letters to the Editor

We welcome your opinions and letters – with name and address. We will edit when necessary. Include your name, address and phone number for verification. Mail them to Bay Weekly, P.O. Box 358, Deale, MD 20751 • E-mail them to [email protected]. or submit your letters on line, click here

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Help a Team of Sisters Fight Cancer

Dear Bay Weekly:

On May 3 to 4, my sisters and I will participate in our first Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in D.C. We’ve contemplated doing it ever since our cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer. But were never brave enough to believe that we could actually finish the event. Now we’re seeking help from your readers who may want to assist us in our efforts.

The team — including Elysia Sligh, Erica Sligh, Keona Campbell and I — will complete a marathon and a half: 39.3 miles.

The Avon Walk Washington, D.C., is one of nine weekend walks in 2008. Every walker commits to raising at least $1,800 in donations, and each Avon Walk attracts several thousand participants from across the country.

Our cousin Cynthia Riley is a 10-year breast cancer survivor who has been an inspiration for this family of sisters to become active in raising funds for breast cancer research. Both Elysia and Erica are local high school students who hope their commitments to the cause will rub off on their classmates. Older sisters Keona and I live in and retain strong ties to the community.

TEAM CYNTHIA has set a fundraising goal of $7,200. To support TEAM CYNTHIA’s fundraising campaign, donations can be sent to http://walk.avonfoundation.org. Click the Make a Donation tab; then choose Donate to a Participant. You will have to do a search for TEAM CYNTHIA prior to making a donation on this team’s behalf.

Funds raised by TEAM CYNTHIA and the thousands of other Avon Walk participants are awarded by the Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, to advance access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved. Since the series was launched in 2003, the more than 75,000 participants in the Avon Walks have raised over $200 million to support leading cancer centers, research institutions and community-based organizations in the walk regions and nationwide.

We’ll start our Walk weekend with an opening ceremony early Saturday morning, after which participants have the choice of walking 13.1 or 26.2 miles. Both walkers and volunteer crew spend Saturday night at the Wellness Village, featuring two-person sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals and support services. On Sunday, all walkers complete their final 13.1 miles, joining in an inspiring closing ceremony, including the presentation of local grants so funds immediately benefit the community.

For more information or to register for an Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.

Thank you.

–Deirdre Campbell-Alston, Pasadena

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