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MANVILLE: Mom-daughter to walk marathon and one-half for charity

Melissa Reilley-Grecco and her mother, Patti Reilley, will participate in Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

From left, Patti Reilley, Melissa Reilley-Grecco and grandmother Gloria Trimmer pose at the finish line of the 2009 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York.
Mother and daughter to walk
39.3 miles to fight breast cancer
   Melissa Reilley-Grecco and her mother Patti Reilley — both of Manville — will join thousands of women and men in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in New York. The event will raise funds and awareness to help defeat breast cancer and support those facing the disease.
   The mother-daughter duo will participate in the non-competitive event, which offers the option of walking a marathon (26.2 miles) or a marathon and one-half (39.3 miles) over the weekend of Oct. 20-21. They chose the longer event. This is Melissa’s eighth and Patti’s first time participating in the walk.
   Melissa was inspired to take part in the Avon Walk in New York eight years ago because “breast cancer had affected so many people I love and care about,” she said. “
   ”I watched family members, colleagues and friends as they courageously fought this disease,” she said. “Many fought hard and are living cancer free and a few have sadly lost the battle. I have seen mothers who are receiving cancer treatments in the morning and doing homework with and tucking their kids in at night. They are true inspirations.”
   ”Patti has supported her daughter for the past seven years through financial donations and by cheering Melissa at the finish line. After losing a colleague to breast cancer this year, she committed to walking 39.3 miles and raising funds to support the Avon Foundation charities.
   The pair has been training for several months.
   ”We enjoyed training in the summer months and did several longer walks at Sandy Hook. We have been very lucky as the weather has cooperated. The walk is held rain or shine so we need to train rain or shine. But this year we have had beautiful training days,” said Melissa.
   The two will spend the next weekends doing longer walks of 15 to 22 miles per day while still doing walks of 4-5 miles in the week.
Melissa and Patti must each raise $1,800 but they hope for much more. To support Melissa and Patti’s fundraising campaigns, log onto www.avonwalk.org click donate, and type their name into the participant box.
   Melissa and Patti will start their Walk weekend with an opening ceremony early Saturday morning, and then spend most of the day walking. Both walkers and volunteer crew spend Saturday night at the “Wellness Village,” featuring two-person pink sleeping tents, hot showers, prepared meals and support services.
   On Sunday, all walkers set out on the route again, with their final miles culminating in a closing ceremony, including the presentation of local grants so funds immediately benefit medical centers and breast cancer organizations in the community.
   For information or to register for an Avon Walk, visit www.avonwalk.org or call 888-541-WALK.