Inspired by mom, woman walks for a cure

Anita Pulaski will join a three-day walk in Philadelphia in October to raise money for breast cancer research.

By:Cara Latham Special Writer
   Lawrence resident Anita Pulaski’s 82-year-old mother survived breast cancer twice, battling it once 20 years ago and again when she was 80. Throughout her treatment, she maintained a positive attitude, even going to work each day she received radiation.
   Ms. Pulaski, 51, inspired by her mother’s determination, decided to do more than merely raise money for breast cancer research, and for the first time in her life, signed up for a three-day, 60-mile walk through Philadelphia.
   "What (my mother’s breast cancer) inspired me to do is to make other people aware," said Ms. Pulaski, of Winwood Drive. "I’m walking not only for her, but for everybody that has been through it."
   The walk will take place from Oct. 6-8, and Ms. Pulaski, so far the only Lawrence resident who signed up to participate, will join three team members from Delaware, "The Milk Maids," to make the 60-mile trek to raise awareness attention and support for breast cancer research. The month of October is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
   No stranger to the effort to cure breast cancer — she raised $500 for New Jersey Breast Cancer Coalition six years ago — Ms. Pulaski heard about the event from a television advertisement and discussed it with a friend. The women decided in February to sign up for the event, sponsored by The Breast Cancer 3-Day, a nonprofit organization based in Chicago. Of the money raised by the three-day event, 85 percent will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and the other 15 percent will go to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, to provide an endowment for breast cancer initiatives.
   This year, the walk will be held in 12 different locations: Boston, Michigan, the Twin Cities, Seattle, Chicago, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Arizona and San Diego.
   Ms. Pulaski has previously raised money to support local breast cancer organizations at bingo events in the area, but she said she wanted to take it to the national level and help raise awareness for the disease throughout the United States.
   "The one I did before was only a local event, so I don’t think it impacted as many people as this is going to impact," said Ms. Pulaski. "I heard last year it was very emotional for so many of them (the people) to see thousands of people walking around neighborhoods for a cause like this."
   The event requires a lot of dedication, said Ms. Pulaski. The walkers will be pitching their own tents, as they will camp out overnight — a first for Ms. Pulaski, who has never gone camping. Each person is also limited to 35 pounds of gear for three days, and they will be showering in a tractor-trailer, she said.
   "We all have busy lives, and we’re all putting a lot of effort into getting ourselves in shape so we can endure a 60-mile walk in three days," she said.
   Ms. Pulaski started training in late April, and she is currently walking at least four days a week — she does a couple miles each day followed by two days of cross training. And a total hip replacement last June does presents some challenges for her training schedule.
   "I think for me, it’s just building up the endurance and the cardio for myself," she said. "I’m rebuilding myself with my hip as it is."
   Each walker is required to raise a minimum of $2,200, but Ms. Pulaski’s goal is to raise at least $3,000. So far she has raised $900, she said. She held a Cinco de Mayo-themed bingo night May 4 at Legion Post 414, where she auctioned off products donated by PartyLite. She has worked as a consultant for 12 years for the company. The event raised $600.
   She is also planning a bowling event in August called "Bowling for Boobs," which will also benefit the event.
   Ms. Pulaski also gained sponsorship from SV Concepts Salon & Mini Spa located in Lawrence, where she works as a part-time receptionist; Sunny Days Tanning Salon in Ewing; American Legion Post 414 and the Sons of the American Legion, both in Lawrence.
   Ms. Pulaski’s team wants to start a new tradition to walk in a different city each year after they complete the Philadelphia walk. Ms. Pulaski said she also hopes to involve more family members next year — her aunt and a cousin also had the disease.
   "It’s something in our family," she said. "We’ve had a couple people diagnosed with breast cancer, and I just don’t want to see that in our future generations — in our family or in anybody else’s family."
   To contribute go to the Three Day Web site, www.the3day.org, click on the "donate" link, select Philadelphia, and type "Anita" in the first name box and "Pulaski" in the last name box. Click on the "Anita Pulaski" link for donation information.