January 2000
Polly News
Reports from the Road
Polly Letofsky is now in the 6th month of her 3 1/2-year, 18,000-mile walk
around the world. At Christchurch, on the South Island of New Zealand, she
reaches her 2,000th mile, after leaving Colorado last August 1. In early
March our Energizer Bunny flits to Australia for a seven-month hike up the
East Coast through Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and up to Cape York,
with a few days splashing at the Great Barrier Reef. Then Signapore and the
heart of Asia.
WASHINGTON HELP
Walking the world is one daunting test of endurance -- getting the necessary clearances for 25 widely disparate countries may be a great
test of patience. Worldwalker Dave Kunst (1970-74) told Polly that his most
important support came from fellow Minnesotans Hubert Humphrey and Walter
Mondale. So well advised, Polly has contacted Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA) and
Sen. Paul Wellstone (MN), both of whom said they will help intercede with the U.S. Dept. of State if Polly has any problems obtaining the proper visas.
LOST FRIEND
In Polly's Journal of December 4, she referred to the
pink-clad Busting with Life group of cancer survivors (who have graciously
handled most of Polly's logistics in New Zealand) and their festive Dragon
Boat crossing of Auckland Harbour. American Express contributed a party
suite by the sea and festooned it in pink. One of the hosts was Ken (in a
pink shirt). At 76, Ken has suffered from cancer of the esophagus, the
spine, the breast and the prostate. Plus bone cancer. He was a wonderful,
jovial character. But cancer is a mean and persistent devil. Sadly, Ken developed a fast-acting throat cancer and died 2 1/2 weeks after
our party. Our prayers are with him.
NICER NEWS
But there is still a lot of hope around. We related in
PollyNews the fight being waged against breast cancer by artist/TV producer
Lucy Fasola of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, wife (husband Cid) and mom of two
girls (Isabela and Paula). She lost both breasts and had reconstruction,
then had "quimo" and radiation. By Internet she saw the front-page photo of
Polly in the Denver Post and sent blessings by e-mail: "It touched me so
deeply that I (was) crying:
During her latest chemo she relaxed with her art. When she returned home,
she staged a gallery show of 16 of her oil paintings: "My new hair is
coming strong...and my last report brought me an excellent prognosis."
A friend in Colorado sent a photo of Polly from the local Durango Herald,
taken when Polly strode through town after a month on the road: "I have it
on my wall and I pray for her every night."
DONATIONS
We are constantly looking for assistance for the Walk. Please
send your contributions to The World Walk Foundation for Breast Cancer, at
531 Main Street, Suite 635, El Segundo, CA 90245-3060. Thanks.
BIDDERS WANTED
The Foundation is staging a silent auction for Polly's
Walk on Friday, February 4th, 7:30 to 9 p.m., Village Lutheran Church of
Westwood, 343 Church Lane, Brentwood, CA. Donated for the bidding is a DSS satellite dish for Direct TV, a Spectrum Club month at the gym, a Martha Stewart gift basket and a passel of other items.
TASTY TREATS
Good question category -- from Sarah, 13, Minneapolis, MN:
"I think what you are doing is great and your life is really great stopping
at every Dairy Queen you go by. What's your favorite thing at Dairy Queen?"
Polly's response: "There's nothing quite like the soft DQ Peanut Buster Parfait loaded with chocolate syrup and extra Spanish peanuts! Oooohweeee that's good at the end of an 18-mile day!" Polly'd like to meet Sarah in Minneapolis
when she comes through in 2002 and treat her to a DQ with all the extras.