Spring/Summer 2012 Newsletter Extended: Avon Walk
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GOLDENBERG, ALUMNI, AND FRIENDS FIGHT CANCER ONE STEP AT A TIME
By Dr. Brian Greenwood, Associate Professor
On July 7 & 8, 2012, Dr. Marni Goldenberg, alumni (including Renee Costamaillere, RPTA '10, pictured with Goldenberg at right), and friends took to the streets of San Francisco in the annual AVON Walk for Breast Cancer. The "SLO Hooters Team" enjoyed the company of thousands of participants, as well as cheering spectators, as they walked to help raise awareness and funds to end breast cancer.
Those unfamiliar with the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer, a fundraising event that takes place at different times of the year in 8 cities around the country (currently San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Boston, Chicago, New York, Charlotte, Houston, & Washington, DC) might envision a casual stroll around a high school track or a leisurely jaunt with friends around the block. 
And while participants certainly have the option of how far they'd like to walk, the SLO Hooters team took the AVON motto of "In it to end it" to heart. Goldenberg and Costamaillere walked the full route over a 2-day period and encountered many friends and RPTA alumni along the way (including Stacie Allen, RPTA '09, pictured with Costamaillere in middle photo; and, Kelsey Pavao, RPTA '11, pictured with Goldenberg below).
How far do you think they walked? 10 kilometers? Or, maybe even a half marathon at 13 miles? Ha, more like a marathon one day and a half marathon the next! 39 miles! Anyone who has ever been to San Francisco knows that walking a mile can be a challenge with the countless hills, but these amazing individuals were motivated by a cause that has affected so many millions of lives over the years and walked a full 39 miles over 2 days!
Goldenberg talked about the experience: "We enjoyed amazing views of the ocean, a walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, and of course enjoyed seeing my parents and having them join us in the last 2 miles of the walk. The weather was perfect the entire weekend and our feet held up to the many miles of walking by having several sock changes! We stayed for the closing ceremony, and it was truly touching and incredible to watch the checks being given away. We (SF participants) raised a total of $4.7 million, which was given away to many amazing non-profits and research projects. A total of 270 survivors participated in the walk, and I think about 2500 participants walked! I am sure there was not a dry eye in the entire crowd."
If you are interested in learning more about the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer, please visit their website at: http://www.avon39.org
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