Saipan women walk 60 miles for breast cancer research

Bobbi Grizzard, a 19-year breast cancer survivor, braved blisters, calluses and painful toes to complete the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-day in Seattle last week.

“We walked 20 miles a day for three days,” Grizzard said. “It’s hard while you’re doing it, yet very fulfilling. It’s a really great event to be a part of.”

Marian Aldan-Pierce, Clarie Kosack, Pamela Brown, Roberta Guerrero, Corinne Loprinzi, Rebecca Pierce, Rhoda Smith and Kazuyo Tojo made up the other members of the team, called Saipan Sweet Feet. Except for Grizzard and Brown, all the women are still in the U.S. mainland.

The team raised more than $30,000 for breast cancer research, with each member raising a minimum of $2,200 to participate in the event, Grizzard said. By herself, Grizzard said she was able to raise more than $6,000 through small donations of $20 to $50.

This was Grizzard’s second time to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-day. She first participated last year in Phoenix. Because Pierce has a home in Seattle, the group decided to take part in that city’s event, which was held Sept. 12-14.

The walk took the women through many parts of Seattle, including the downtown area and Pike’s Peak.

Each day the women would walk for about 10 hours, stopping to munch on fruit, peanuts and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before continuing on. During their lunch break, they would take off their shoes and socks and “let their feet breath,” Grizzard said.

She added that all the women had foot issues at one time or another.

“I had one toe hurting pretty bad,” she said. “I had one blister last year. But it’s OK. You live through it.”

Guerrero had to be taken to a medical tent and was “red carded,” meaning she was told she could not walk and had to take a bus back to the tent site. But it didn’t matter, Grizzard said, because Guerrero was still able to cheer others on.

“She greeted everyone,” Grizzard said. “She probably met more people than we met by walking.”

Grizzard said the group did stand out in one way. Many people came up to them asking why Saipan was written on their shirts

“People are now googling Saipan,” she said. “So we’re sort of ambassadors.”

The women chose not to spend the nights in tents, instead allowing themselves the comforts of a nearby hotel. There they were able to soak their feet in ice water and rest up for the next day.

“All you want to do is go back to your room, soak your feet, eat, have some wine, and go to bed,” she said.

Gearing up for the event was a task in and of itself, Grizzard said. She began walking in January, slowly extending her distance a little each week. The Komen organization gives recommendations to walkers, but Grizzard said she didn’t follow the schedule. But because she walks on a daily basis, she was prepared. In fact, she’s already planning for next year’s walk.

Grizzard, Kosack and Tojo wore pink shirts, signifying them as cancer survivors. Grizzard said she is amazed by the advancement in technology since her mastectomy in 1989.

“In the 19 years since I was diagnosed, the advancements made are absolutely amazing,” she said. “I’m constantly blown away by the things that are available today.”

The Seattle walk raised $8.5 million. Fourteen cities have hosted or are hosting walks this year.