Sheryl Lubas, a sixth grade teacher at Grover Middle School, is in training for her second three-day walk to benefit breast cancer research. “Everyone on the team has suffered a loss and we’re walking in memory of our moms and grandmothers in addition to all moms, sister, grandmothers, and friends,” she says.##M:[more]##
Her team, Sandee’s Walkers includes Joan Fennell of West Windsor; Fennell’s sister, Lisa Smith of Downington, Pennsylvania; Brian Morrow, Lubas’ fiancee, of Lawrenceville, and husband and wife, Kori Connelly and Marc Izzo of Philadelphia. “Four members of our team have lost loved ones to breast cancer,” she says. This year the team will walk in memory of Lubas’ mother, Sandee Lubas (who died in 1991), Morrow’s grandmother, Mary Terplevich (who died in 1985), and Carol Connelly (who died on July 9). “All three women were inspirational and courageous in their battles,” she says.
The Breast Cancer 3-Day takes place in 12 cities throughout the country. Sandee’s Walkers will be walking from October 6 to 8 throughout the city of Philadelphia. The participants will walk an average of 20 miles each day.
“Every three miles along the route, crew members set up pit stops where walkers are able to “rehydrate, replenish, and relieve” themselves,” she says. “At night, after setting up our tents, we shower in mobile showers, eat under massive food tents, visit the remembrance tent, and enjoy live entertainment. “
Lubas was born and raised in Montgomery Township. Her mother, Sandee (nee Walker), was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982, at the age of 37. She had a mastectomy in 1983 but the cancer returned. “Wanting my two younger siblings Christine, John, and I, to have a normal childhood she made the decision not to tell us she was sick,” she says. “We did not know the truth until the end of my senior year of high school.” Sandee Lubas died at the age of 46 in 1991. Their father, Bill, a lifelong resident of Montgomery, “was left to raise three teenagers (14, 16, and 19) on his own and he did so with pride, a sense of humor, and success,” she says.
“She always kept the best interest of us at the forefront of her mind and we have so many good memories,” says Lubas. Her sister Christine, who recently went back to school for physical therapy, lives in Virginia with her husband. Her brother, John, a captain in the Army, is stationed in Seattle. He and his wife are expecting their second child in March.
The team has done training walks in Stone Harbor, Mercer County Park, Boathouse Row, and Shady Side Park. “As a team of six friends who have all felt the impact of breast cancer, either directly or indirectly, we intend to walk the three days and 60 miles in October with the hope that breast cancer will be eradicated. We will remember those we lost, celebrate those who won their battles, and encourage those who continue to fight. We are in for three physically exhausting days, but they will be filled with comfort, inspiration, and optimism.”
Each participant is required to raise $2,”200 to participate and a team of six needs to raise $13,”200. Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds go directly to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fund breast cancer research and community outreach. The remaining 15 percent will go to the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, to provide an endowment for breast cancer initiatives.
The team is raising funds through the collection of used cell phones, and ink and laser cartridge donations. Collection boxes are located at Whole Foods on Route 1 South, McCaffreys Market on Princeton-Hightstown Road, West Windsor Library, and Plainsboro Library through September. Andrew McManus and Mitch Brown from Princeton Cingular Wireless in West Windsor donated 100 old cell phones to get them started. Monetary donations for the team may be made out to “Breast Cancer 3-Day” and sent to Sandee’s Walkers, Box 803, West Windsor 08550.
“In addition to these three courageous women, we will walk in support of all men and women who are currently battling breast cancers, in honor of all survivors, and we will walk with the hope that breast cancer will be eradicated in the future,” says Lubas.
