July 24, 2003

Denmark Press 
Denmark, Wisconsin

Globe-walking Colorado woman 
breaks for lunch in Denmark, WI

by Lee Vogels
Denmark press reporter

She pursues a modest pace pushing her three-wheeled baby stroller named "Bob" traversing the globe on the soles of her shoes.  Along the way she picks up support for her quest from a dedicated California couple.

This is not one of those "because it was there" challenges that motivates mountain climbers.  Polly Letofsky is circumnavigating the planet on foot to raise money for breast cancer research.  The effort is GlobalWalk and is supported by 28 corporate sponsors.

Four years into the five-year world tour, Letofsky had traveled nearly 12,000 miles by the time she arrived in Denmark, Wis., July 21.  She had traversed four continents, averaging four to 10 miles a day in sun's heat, in rain, hail and lightening storms.  She has encountered a major earthquake, floods, and forest fires.  She's gone through 24 pairs of shoes.

She's been a house guest to strangers from Singapore to Scotland.  Mayors and dignitaries have extended hospitality to her.  "I met (Mahatma) Gandhi's granddaughter," she said.

Various Lions clubs sponsored her trip in India and Southeast Asia by setting up fund raising events and educational forums.

At the forums in Malaysia, event organizers translated her speeches into four languages.

Go back to