August 12, 2003
The Chippewa Herald
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Woman's Marathon walk nears finish line
By Rod Stetzer
| Polly Letofsky walked 11,658 miles and wore out 24 pairs of size 7 1/2
A tennis shoes to get to Chippewa Falls on Monday. And the
41-year-old won't be walking home to Vail, Colo. until next August.
No matter. Letofsky is doing something she's dreamt about doing as a 12-year-old in Minneapolis, when she saw a newspaper article about a man who walked around world. today she leaves Chippewa Falls for Bloomer, then Cheteck, Rice lake and then eventually Duluth. "I'm really enjoying this stretch, and I'm going to dawdle as much as is want to," the Minneapolis Washburn High School graduate said. For example, she took time out to sample and savor a root beer float at La Grander's Drive-In and Ice Cream in the town of LaFayette and ended her walking day at the Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls.
|
August 12, 2003
Leader-Telegram
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Around-the-world walk focuses on breast cancer
By Alyssa Waters
|
It might have looked like a leisurely walk Monday for Polly Letofsky and
her friend Debi Linker.
But their stroll along Highway X through Chippewa Falls was a actually the last leg of a five-year walk around the world for Letofsky. The 41-year-old woman from Vail, Colo., is walking around the world to debunk misconceptions about breast cancer. ***** According to Letofsky's research, 80- percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no known risk factors. People with a history of breast cancer in their family are only 10 percent more likely to contract the disease than people with no history.
August 20, 2003 The Chronotype
September 4, 2003 Spooner Advocate Long Lake--She's in the home stretch! It just might take her another year or so to hit the finish line. ***** She passed right through Rice Lake last week, where she was greeted by the Rice Lake Curling Club Women and members of the Rice Lake Lions Club. Beth Levan, president of Phi Theta Kappa of UW-Barron County, and Missy McCracken, vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, presented letofsky with a certificate in honor of her work toraise awareness about breast cancer. She was given a reception at the Rice Lake Curling Club on Monday. By Wednesday, however, it was back to work, back on the road, despite heat and humidity that had many people swooning. Walking down Cty. M between Rice Lake and Hwy 77, she was making good time enroute to her destination that night, Trego.
September 10, 2003 Pioneer Four continents, 25 pairs of tennis shoes and many forest fires later, a women walking around the world for breast cancer awareness strolled into Bemidji Tuesday afternoon. And when she arrived the Minnesota born Polly Letofsky, 41, of Vail, Colo., met with six Bemidji area breast cancer survivors at Best Western Bemidji. "I find it absolutely astounding that anyone can walk around the world," said Sara McKinney, a breast cancer survivor from Turtle River. ***** "As a breast cancer survivor, I'm always so appreciative of the people who make an effort to raise awareness, to raise funds," Drinkard Grovum said. "There's so many questions I have for her," said Dianne Dappen of Bemidji. McKinney said she was anxious to learn about the places the globalwalker has traveled. "There's a day-to-day grind to this." Letofsky said after arriving. She said she at times forgets why she is walking around the globe until she again meets a breast cancer survivor. A Bemidji massage therapist donated one free massage to the support group, and the group decided to pass it along to Letofsky for her Bemidji stay. "Oh, my God. Beyond perfect timing," Letofsky said.
|
Go back to