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The moment Doreen Charnell met Janet Clark in 2001, they became instant friends. "We were two adventurous go-getters who loved to hike and fish. JC was so full of life."Then in 2003, word came that her dear friend had a rare and very aggressive type of breast cancer. During treatment JC signed up for the 60-mile Susan G. Komen Breat Cancer 3-Day walk and asked Doreen to join her. "I said, if you will, I will." When JC died just two days before the walk, her mom told Doreen, "Now you have to walk twice as hard." From that moment to this day, Doreen keeps putting one foot in front of the other to raise money for breast cancer research. "It was so hard that first walk. I missed my friend. I didn't know what I was doing and got bad blisters. But I just kept thinking how hard JC fought her cancer and how determined she was not to give up. I vowed I would do this walk every year until I couldn't walk anymore." In 2007, Doreen met her husband-to-be, Karl. And you can guess where they tied the knot-at the 3-Day. "I am amazed at the contacts we've met along the way, and how many people are affected by breast cancer. One day, I hope we can raise enough to do all fifteen 3-Days across the U.S. I wonder what JC would think of that."
- What was it like to get married at the walk?
- It was great. The first day, as I walked my 20 miles, I wore a sign saying I was getting married. People were saying to me, "You're putting on heels after this?" And I'd say, "Oh no, this is my outfit and I'll just take off my sneakers!" Day two, I changed my sign to say Just Married. The 3-Day people made me a pink veil to wear as I walked 20 more miles. My husband was my road crew, driving the car to wherever I was and bringing me water and ice. Last year was his first walk with me. He made all 60 miles.
- What do you think is JC's legacy?
- She was a great person, and she inspired me and others to never give up. She had a 1 in 16 million type of breast cancer, very rare and aggressive. But, she fought so hard. Days before she died, she was in the hospital and she kept talking about the walk. Was I training? Did I know the route? How many hills? She made it a part of her life to help others fight breast cancer. Every walk, it feels like part of her is still with us, determined to get us through it.
- How do you raise money for the walks?
- When I first began in 2005, it was mostly a few of JC's family members and some friends who helped me out. It has gotten bigger over time. I am a backup vocalist, so some bands in the area now help us out by holding an event. They donate their time and play. Plus vendors come and sell their stuff. A portion of the proceeds goes to the walk. One business donated an autographed pink electric guitar and we auctioned it off. I also work at a middle school and they were able to raise almost $1500 last year. A local DJ is donating his time and giving some free ads because his mom died of breast cancer. It's very touching since we live in a small community. People want to help and participate in some way even if they cannot do the walk themselves.
- Do you have a team shirt for the JC Jigglers?
- We have a shirt and a flag that I carry all 60 miles. The shirts were created for my second walk. We used to have nicknames. JC was Duck. I was Chicken. Her brother was Owl. So they're on the shirt with Duck in the center.
- What have you learned about walking long distances?
- Buy shoes a size larger than usual because your feet swell. And they have this stuff you can put on your skin to prevent blisters. It's great. Soak your bandana in cold water. Hydrate. And music. Nothing gets you going up those last hills like some music. My husband is a singer-songwriter. He is writing our own walk song for this year. And when you get into camp after your 20 miles each day, take off your shoes and stretch for 15 minutes.
- You must be in great shape.
- I'm pretty toned, but not 100%. I walk quite a bit and am outdoors a lot. I work part-time with horses as an exerciser, so I am always riding. Plus, we have a small farm with a horse, a dog, cats, chickens, rabbits who all need care. I'm not a couch potato.
- Where do you get all this energy from?
- From my Mom. I don't like sitting still. Life's too short to sit around and do nothing. You only have a certain amount of time and I want to get in as much as I can. I have two granddaughters who are full of energy and they keep me going. We have a garden. We're trying to be more self-sufficient. It's relaxing and healing to be out there watching things grow.
Grandkids
Music, music, music
