By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Weekend Editor

There are not many degrees of separation between you and someone who has had their lives touched by breast cancer. Chances are it has affected either you, a member of your family, or one of your friend's and their family.

For Audrey Fowler, it was more personal. Not only was her mother a two time breast cancer survivor, but she is a survivor too. It has been four years since she had been diagnosed and breast cancer awareness and prevention is now the cause for her entire family.

Fowler, a teacher at Arnold Elementary School in Jonesboro, has participated in two 5K Fun Runs/Walks in the "Races for the Cure" and in October she will participate in the Avon Breast Cancer 3 Day.

The event is a 60 mile walk from Lake Lanier Island to Atlanta, spanning three days. The purpose of the walk is to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer prevention, education, and early detection. Fowler heard about the 3 Day in January and has been an incredible ally ever since.

"This event has just taken over our lives," said Fowler. Ever since she registered to be a walker in the event, her family has become just as involved.

Fowler's husband, Wayne, a biomedical engineer for Dade Bearing, soon volunteered for the set-up team and is now a team leader and one of the top volunteer recruiters the 3 Day has.

Fowler's daughter Amy will be volunteering at various pit stops over the three days of walking. Both the walkers and the crew will have their work cut out for them in what is to be a true test of strength and endurance, as well as an incredible source of inspiration and fun.

To prepare for the long walk, Fowler walks around 12 miles a day. As the walk gets closer, she plans to walk what will be a full day during the event, close to 20 miles.

She has also been taking Spin classes at Gold's Gym. Spin is stationary bike riding led by an aerobic instructor. The classes are building up her endurance and lower body strength. Her training is sure to intensify in the coming weeks, despite being slightly curtailed by the start of a new school year.

The crew began their preparations this weekend as well. During the walk, the set up crew will be setting up a mobile city able to house and feed close to 3000 participants. Each city will consist of four person tents, medical tents, a dining tent, a stage with entertainment each night and anything else that might be needed during the walk.

The hours will be long and the work will be tiring. Their reward will be establishing comfortable surroundings for the walkers. Both the walkers and crew members are completely dedicated to the cause and the event.

Fowler will certainly be ready for the walk when it finally arrives. Not only has she walked every day in the oppressive heat of this summer, but each walker gets advice and assistance from a walker/coach.

One of the tips she has received this summer has proved invaluable. Fowler's coach recommended that she put Vaseline on her feet to cut down on friction and prevent blisters. She has done that and has avoided blisters the entire season. She has also learned her lesson in staying hydrated and keeping her electrolytes up. Fowler believes that Gatorade may be her new best friend by the time the walk comes around.

There have been similar walks done before. The first walk was done in Los Angeles. It was such a success there that four have been scheduled across the country this year. There has already been a 3 Day in Chicago this year and New York and Los Angeles will also host one.

It is definitely a massive undertaking that is hard to comprehend until it has already begun. Each walker is required to raise at least $1,700 in contributions to help sponsor awareness courses and early detection screenings for those who cannot afford them. Crew members are also encouraged to raise funds. So far, Fowler and her husband have raised a combined $2,600. Their goal is $3,500.

There are still plenty of ways to get involved. The set-up crew needs a total of 25 volunteers and they are currently 7 people short of that number. Interested parties must be able to dedicate four days to the event and be ready to rough it and work very hard. Donations and sponsorship are also still available and much appreciated.

If you are interested in donating money or time, call Audrey or Wayne Fowler at 770-631-9801.

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