July 11, 2003

The Clare Country Review 
Clare, Michigan

These Shoes are made for walking--all 24 pairs

By Stephanie Burchette
Review Staff Writer

  A dream that Polly Letofsky had when she was 12-years-old is coming true, one step at a time.  Letofsky, 41 of Vail, Colorado is walking across the world to help promote breast cancer awareness and funding. 

Letofsky read an article about a man who walked across the world when she was 12, and the dream of doing that herself one day always stayed in her mind.  Now, four years and 11,400 miles later, she is living her dream.

Letofsky always wanted to make the trek, but decided to wait until the right time and reason to travel presented itself.  After having people in her life touched by Breast Cancer, she decided the reason had presented itself, and it was the right time to start her journey. 

While Letofsky admits that she had some friends and family with Breast Cancer, she said it was not anyone close to her.  When asked why she chose to support this particular disease, she said, “Breast Cancer touches everyone, everywhere.”

Years ago, Letofsky requested a mammogram from a doctor; and was told not to worry about the disease if it was not present on her mother’s side.  After that, she decided to spread awareness of Breast Cancer.  Letofsky started her trip from Vail on August 1, 1999, and decided to call it GlobalWalk for Breast Cancer. 

All monies raised in the United States will go to benefit the San Francisco-based Breast Cancer Fund, an organization dedicated to research education, support and advocacy of the disease.  Money raised in other countries will go to benefit Breast Cancer research in that region.     

Various Lions Clubs have helped her in the effort.  They have sponsored her trip to India and Southeast Asia by holding educational forums and setting up fundraising events.  Letofsky has been meeting with the Lions Clubs in the areas she visits.

Letofsky, who became an endurance athlete as a teenager, trained for walk by traveling alone before the trip.  She said, “It’s more than physical, it’s emotional; the reaching and testing of the human spirit.”  

One of her friends, Debi Linker of Palm Desert, California, a five-year breast cancer survivor, joined Letofsky on the trek for a two-month span.  The pair met near London, Ontario on June 18^th.  Linker will join her in the walk until September 1^st. 

Linker’s husband, Jim, is also along for the ride. While he is not walking with the pair, he is contributing.  The Linker’s own a motor home that is driven by Jim.  He goes ahead of the pair, parks the motor home and sets up camp.  After arriving at their destination, Jim picks the two up in a truck and takes them to the campground where they will be staying for the night.  Each morning, he drops the couple off at the same location he picked them up.  

Debi Linker (left), breast cancer survivor, with Polly Letofsky, globalwalker.

The team has been in Michigan now for about two weeks.  They were in Clare the early part of last week, enjoying a camping lot at Pettit Park donated by the City of Clare.  Letofsky admitted she loves traveling through small-town America.  “We love all of the different festivals all over and the county fairs,” she said. 

The trek from Midland to Clare was an enjoyable one for the two.  Letofsky said, “It was the nicest 29-mile stretch we have traveled through.  The rail-trail is kept clean, we only saw two pieces of litter [which were picked up].  People don’t realize how difficult it is walking in traffic, frequently having to jump out of the way of cars.  The rail-trial gave us a peaceful stretch, in great condition, with clean restrooms, and a restaurant along the way.”

After leaving Clare, the route leads the two to Ludington, where they will spend some time before taking a ferry over to Wisconsin.  After that, they will be traveling to Minnesota, before heading south along the Mississippi River before the winter sets in.  Letofsky is on the final stretch of her trip, planning completion in Vail next summer.

The pair wanted to share a few tips regarding breast cancer.  Linker said, “There is a significant misconception by women that Breast Cancer only strikes those with known risk factors.  80% of Breast Cancer is in women with no risk factors.”

She went on to say, “If you have a lump, don’t let a doctor send you away without testing it.  Don’t let them mislead you by saying ‘You’re too young’, or ‘We’ll watch it for a while’.  The best way to test a lump is through fine needle aspiration.  Have a mammogram or ultrasound done.  Have the testing done, don’t sit back and watch it get worse, get the answer.  Go to more than one doctor if they won’t perform the test.  The American Cancer Society has programs available to help women with the financial costs of a mammogram.  There are also some states in the U.S. that have non-profit associations set up to help women with the costs.”

For more information about GlobalWalk, to donate to the cause, or to read Polly’s journal, visit their website at www.globalwalk.org or call them toll-free at (866) 760-8223. 

For more information about cancer, call the American Cancer Society toll-free at (800) 227-2345. 

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