Jackie Blackmer (2006,2007 and honored 2008)
Jackie passed from us on October 14, 2008.

We miss her and are solemn in our vow to walk for her and for other women who fought and continue to fight. She shared words of encouragement to the team in 2008 as she first prepared to walk, then to crew, then cheer us on from the sidelines during the 2008 event. We were cheered by her love and spirit and motivated by her strength as we walked without her. Her wisdome, strength and beauty were something at which to marvel and we were richer for having loved her.

We walk for her, because she can not walk for us.

Deb with Peaches and Lucy

Deb Patton (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

2007 is my third year and each year is more important, more urgent than the one before. Even though advancements are made daily, there is no cure and more of our families and friends learn of the devastating impacts that cancer has in our lives. Hope never fades, and survivors continue to live their lives and challenge the disease with their courage.

Because of this I am, again, raising money and walking for a cure. I am walking for many reasons and many people, and not all are for breast cancer but for all cancers, because CANCER SUCKS!

I will walk with and for our brave, courageous, and tough teammates Lisa Carrico, Jackie Blackmer, and Roberta Moore, who are survivors and our team captain Julie Kovacs who tested positive for the BRCA-1,2 test. I will be walking for many dear friends and family who are survivors and too many who have lost the fight. I will be walking for all women who are struggling to be who they are as women and not victims. Every step and every dollar raised is with thoughts and with honor for all who fight or have fought CANCER

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to everyone who is donating money and allowing me to take on this incredible journey. Your continued generous support overwhelms me.

Judith Kovacs (2007)

This is it! I decided to walk with Julie, my daughter and Captain of this great group the Cactus Mamas. We have had family members who had to face the ordeals of breast cancer. We have friends that had double mastectomy. Last year, Julie underwent the BRCA-1,2 genetic test and the result was positive.

It is time that I get my walking shoes on and join these brave women in this worthy cause. We are proud to participate in this event in memory of those women who left us, in honor of those who fought the battle and for those that, if they have to face breast cancer, the cure may be readily available.

I invite you to join me and support me during this incredible journey. I truly appreciate your generous donation – it is not for me. It is for all the women in this phenomenal event in support of those women whose lives have or will be shaken by this tragic disease. Thank you wholeheartedly.

Kathy Davis (2005, 2006, 2007)

This will be my third year and I am looking forward to completing 180 miles to battle cancer. While the focus of the walk is breast cancer, I walk to fund research and treatment of any kind of cancer because cancer affects everybody. This year, cancer got personal as I learned of friends and family who had cancer of breast, throat, thyroid, pancreas, liver, brain, colon, lungs, stomach, and more. Some survived and others sadly did not. I walk because discoveries of advanced treatment or cures in one kind can be applied to other type. Recent discoveries of targeting cancerous cell growth instead of systematic treatments have promises of success and less impact on patients due to radiation and chemotherapy.

I am hooked on the Susan G Komen for the Cure because most of the money (~85%) goes to cancer research, education, screening, and treatment. In July 2007 scientists reported that breast cancer rates dropped with the discovery a few years earlier that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increased the risks of cancer. Many women stopped using HRT, and data shows the positive results. Studies showed that HRT also increased the risk of ovarian cancer. A portion of the funds from the Arizona 3-Day stays in Arizona. The local newspaper reported in June that for the fourth year the Komen Phoenix Affiliate awarded funds to Yavapai County to support breast cancer screening for women and to the Well Woman Healthcheck program. Statewide by mid 2007, the Komen Phoenix Affiliate awarded $1.65 million in grants.

Cactus Mamas and Papas are walking to make a difference. I am proud to be part of this stellar group.

Pat Grediagin (2007)

I'm so happy to see Lisa Carrico with her hair again, no longer "bald as a billiard ball," and to know she's on the survivor side of breast cancer. She's just one reason why I've decided to join Cactus Mamas, and walk 60 miles to raise money to fund breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.

I'll be walking in honor of Lisa Carrico, as well as my Aunt Joan, who has twice survived breast cancer. I also walk in honor of Georgia Dempsey, Patty Lien, Maggie Johnston, and Lorilei Wendt, all of whom have survived breast cancer. And I walk in memory of Peggy Williams, who didn't.

Please help me raise awareness and funding in the battle against breast cancer.

Heidi Willis (2007)

When cancers of any sort surfaces in a family, it can have a drastic impact that affects everyone. I have decided to serve the thousands of men and women and their families who have been affected by breast cancer by donating my time and money to fight this life altering and tragic disease. I am walking in honor of not only cancer survivors, but their families as well. It is my honor to raise $2,200 and walk 60 miles to help save lives that could have been taken by breast cancer. I am looking forward to this new journey by hearing inspirational stories, pushing my athletic limits, meeting new friends, and most importantly serving those in need. I want my friends and family to know that I truly appreciate them supporting me so I can help others.

Carolyn Garrick (2007)

Kori Tevere (2007)

This year will be my first time walking in the breast cancer 3-day. I have decided to join the CactusMamas in this amazing endeavor, and understand the impact that it has had on them.

I have seen the impact breast cancer has had on friends and their families. My best friend in high school was diagnosed with breast cancer and I saw the pain she went through. This is one of the reasons I will walk this year.

The main reason I am walking this year is because cancer has impacted my family for many years, and now I will walk in HONOR of my Uncle Richard Joy who has fought cancer for 20 years and is still kicking cancer's butt!!! I would walk 5,000 miles for a cure for my uncle and all the other people in the world battling cancer.

Any donation towards this cause is greatly appreciated.

Kathy Billings (2005 and 2006)

I am walking in the belief that someday breast cancer will be a forgotten illness, one of those old diseases that has been conquered. My grandmother died of breast cancer before mammograms were a standard and before there was any hope. Today there is hope. We look forward to walking 60 miles together as a team. The cactus mamas walk in support of those who have gone before us, in support of those who have conquered this disease and in support of those fighting to finding the cure. Thanks to our many friends who are helping s meet our team goal. Please consider supporting the cactus mama's!

Ami Pate (2006 and 2008)

Hola amigos, this is my first walk, and I'm very happy to be a part of this team. I've walked many desert miles over the years, but merely working or recreating, so I'm eager to contribute my feet (and heart!) to this elemental fight. Hearing the Cactus Mamas' stories from last year about the hope, community, and inspiration of this event inspired me to take part this year; and the list of women in the "honor" and "memory" ranks inspire me even more.

The Komen foundation is doing essential work domestically and internationally, and the results will benefit all aspects of health and disease awareness/prevention. I'm proud to be part of a National Park Service family that works to make a change in the world, and I walk for all the people who have suffered and are suffering from cancer, so this suffering will someday cease. Also, I dedicate this walk to all the strong and caring women in my family who have inspired me over the years-to the ones that passed away too soon, and to my dear tough aunts and cousins in the pacific northwest.

Thanks to everyone out there for their contributions to the Cactus Mamas' 'boots on the ground' cancer-fighting efforts!

Mary Kralovec (2005 and 2006)

Well here I go again.  Last year at this time, I never thought I would be walking more than one year.  The fund-raising part was not my specialty.  But, all my friends and family answered my plea for help and donated to this great cause.  I was inspired by them.  Then the event came and went and I was again inspired by the people who walked, helped, cheered, and cajoled us the 60 miles.  Each step was made easier by the support I received from family, friends, and people along the 60 mile way.  After the walk; which I compare to running 3 half day marathons, 3 days in a row; a thought crept into my mind-maybe I should do this again, next year.  I was so honored to walk with the Cactus Mamas and all the women walking for a cure to breast cancer.  Usually, I quickly shoved that thought aside.  

However, now that thought is a reality.  Bolstered even more by the fact that, once again, my immediate family has been struck by this awful disease.  My sister was just recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  This year, I personally walk for her.  However, I can not forget all the other women who have courageously battled or will battle with breast cancer and I walk for them too.  Thank you to everyone who donated to this worthy cause last year and to all who may donate this year.  The women of this world can not thank you enough.  

Michelle Spevak (2006)

So I have lived my life helping others, but admittedly never contributed in this way. I am coming to this walk due to what one might call a domino affect. Andy Fisher, a dear friend and team member, invited me to join her. Her passion and belief inspired me. And to me, if you are asked to contribute and there is any way you can, you should.

There are so many quotes and sayings that I use to keep me on track of being the person I should be… One quote being…Whatever lies before you and whatever lies behind you is nothing compared to what lies within you. So I am walking because the folks I am walking for have a much larger challenge than a 3 day walk. I especially walk in honor of my mother-in-law Susan Spevak, two-time breast cancer survivor and remarkable woman. I feel fortunate that I can contribute to a cause that is committed to cure a cancer that has affected and affects so many people.

I am grateful to walk with the Cactus Mamas, folks committed and compassionate. I thank you kindly for your generosity and support.

(And in case you are wondering, the photo was NOT taken in Arizona)

Sarah Craighead (2006)

I'm walking the 3-Day for several reasons. I'm turning 50 this year and I wanted to do something that was meaningful for myself as well as others. What could be a better way to celebrate than to spend 3 days with incredible women raising money for a cause that touches all of us in one way or another. I've experienced cancer in my own family and a cure for Breast Cancer is a step forward for every other cancer. I walk to celebrate life, I walk so that others have the opportunity to celebrate life and I walk for the future for all of us.

Nancy Linendoll (2005 and 2006)

The 3-Day walk is about courage and determination. It keeps us strong and focused as we train once again.

In January of this year, my brother-in-law Wayne Morrison died of cancer. He was 54 years old, a loving husband, father and grandfather. In the months before his death he wrote a series of "chronicles" that spoke to us of his illness; his thoughts and his love and desires for his family and friends. He spoke of the importance of early detection and
recognizing the changes in your own body.

Each of our steps will bring memories of loved ones that have lost their battle with cancer and of loved ones that are fighting every day to beat cancer.

Please support me and my team as we walk 60 miles in three days - not only to support breast cancer awareness but all cancer.

Didi Nolder (2006)

Roberta Moore (2005 and 2006)

This year I've opted to be a Cactus Mama crew member for a lot of reasons, but most of all because I want to support my team members brave enough to put their walking shoes back on and walk those long miles for a great cause. Cheering them on, serving them in anyway I can as a crew member will be a great honor.

As a breast cancer survivor I believe that research, testing and most of all, looking for a cure is what has given me life and the chance to participate in this fine event. I am deeply grateful for all the Cactus Mamas and all those who participate in the 3 Day Walks. Without them, I might not be looking at a bright and cancer free future.

While I am accepting donations, as a crew member I am not required to fundraise. So, if you are inclined to donate, please think about my team members listed on this page and donate to them. They are a fantastic bunch of ladies and I am honored to be associated with them.

And to all who contributed to me last year and all the fine people who walk and work to find a way to stop breast cancer, I give you my thanks from the deepest part of my heart.

Danielle Hammond Corrick (2005)

I feel very fortunate to say that my immediate family has not been
touched by this disease, but too many of my friends have been (I'm
sure they would agree) a bit too touched. I am walking for my
friends: Lisa Carrico, a survivor currently undergoing chemo for
breast cancer (the reason my daughter wears leopard print); Kathy
Bussemey, an 18 year survivor; Linda Stuart, a 3 year survivor; and in
memory of Libby White, who died in 2004; and Pam Reynolds, who died in 1996.

I am also walking for my not-yet two year old daughter, Addison – may she never have to worry about breast cancer!

Linda Ball (2005)

Cindy Donaldson (2005)

I walk to celebrate life, and to honor the memory of my mother
and my sister.

Sharon Grovert (2005)

I initially wanted to walk in the 3-Day for two reasons: Sherry Wood told me how fulfilling it was for her in 2004 and urged me to come walk with her in 2005, and three of my longtime girlfriends (Becky Alexander, Roberta Moore, and Carolyn Richard) were diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in the past few years. I care deeply for my friends and these women inspired something deep within in me to walk. I initially signed up, started putting out my fundraising letters, and as the donations started coming in, I had numerous friends ask me to walk for someone special in their lives, people who are survivors, or sadly, victims of breast cancer. So, now I walk for 10 brave women; 7 who survived and 3 who fought it as best they could. This initial walk with Sherry has turned out to be a devotion and honor to those women who fought it, and for the women and men who will fight in the future.

Tya Ward (2005)

"When I look at the scroll hanging on my bedroom wall, signed by all the guests at my wedding just over six years ago, the reality of breast cancer becomes easier to understand and more personal. I see the signatures of women I know who have both survived and lost their lives to breast cancer since then. I think about their struggles. I also often pause to think about the names absent from my scroll…those people who lost their battles with breast cancer--and other cancers--prior to my wedding day. I am choosing to walk in celebration of all cancer survivors, and to honor the memories of friends and loved ones I have lost to this disease. Please join my teammates and I on this incredible journey..."