Date: Fri 02-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: JAN

Quick Words:

breast-cancer-Volpe

Full Text:

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

(with cut and SIDEBAR)

BY JAN HOWARD

Judy Volpe's team of walkers will be "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer"

when they step off October 18 at 11 am at Sherwood Island State Park in

Westport.

This will be the fourth year Mrs Volpe has served as an area coordinator and

fielded a team for the annual "Making Strides" walk, which raises money for

breast cancer research, support programs and public education and awareness.

Mrs Volpe said the money raised also helps women who need help in buying a wig

or a prosthesis.

Mrs Volpe challenges herself every year to have more walkers and to raise more

money.

Last year she entered a team of 70 walkers, the largest group at the event.

They raised $7,062.

"We had more walkers and raised more money than big companies. We were very

proud," she said.

So far this year 90 people have signed up to walk with her. They include

members of her staff, their husbands, boyfriends and family members, clients,

and friends.

"I'm working my way to 100," Mrs Volpe said this week.

Mrs Volpe's team hopes to hit $8,500 in donations this year.

The annual walk during Breast Cancer Awareness Month is non-competitive, and

can be anywhere from one to five miles. The proceeds of the event are raised

by donations, not by the miles walked by participants, she said.

"There is a one-mile path and a two-mile path. You can do whatever you want,"

Mrs Volpe said.

"It's just what people want to give," she said.

The walk is "very meaningful" to the walkers, Mrs Volpe said. "I think cancer

is a family issue.

"We get tons of help from our clients. We couldn't do it without them," she

said.

To thank her walkers for their efforts, Mrs Volpe sponsors a tailgate party

following the walk. "We have a lot of fun with it," she said.

She also pays for half the cost of t-shirts her walkers wear. "All groups can

have the name of the business on the back of the t-shirts," she noted.

Mrs Volpe said the walk does not take a lot of time. "Even with the tailgate

picnic, we're done and out of there by 1:30," she said.

During a breakfast for breast cancer survivors prior to the walk, pink caps

are distributed. "It is very heartwarming to look out on all those thousands

of people and see how many pink caps there are," Mrs Volpe said.

A former accountant, Mrs Volpe has operated the day spa, Avance Esthetiques,

in the Sand Hill Plaza for over eight years.

She became involved in the campaign against breast cancer when the Cancer

Society asked her to become an area coordinator for the walk. She has

continued in the role because of friends and clients who have suffered with

breast cancer.

"I had three weeks notice that first year. I ended up with 11 people walking,

and we raised $350," Mrs Volpe said.

"We have dear friends and clients who have survived breast cancer," she said,

"and we have lost friends and clients to breast cancer."

This year she continues to concentrate on getting more people to walk and to

raise more money. The window of her shop is lined with colorful bags filled

with information about breast cancer and a sign by the door advertises the

walk. Brochures about breast examinations are in a table in her waiting room.

"It is an issue I get excited about," she said.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the United

States. All women are at risk for developing breast cancer, and more than 75

percent of all breast cancers are found in women 50 or older. Women in this

age group should get a mammogram and breast examination every year.

The risk factor for breast cancer is one in nine over an entire lifetime. At

age 25, it is one in 18,477; by age 50, it is one in 49; and by age 85, it is

one in nine.

To join the walk or to make a donation, call Mrs Volpe at 270-8911.