Why We Walk: The Inspirational Journey Toward a Cure for Breast Cancer

I challenge anyone to get through even two pages of this book without crying. I read it before I did the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer 2007 in San Francisco. I met many of the featured walkers throughout the walk, and the book truly gave me the inspiration I needed to get through some of the grueling miles of the walk. If you're thinking of doing the walk, or you know someone fighting breast cancer, this book is amazing.

This collection of vignettes clearly desplays the lifes and hopes of breast cancer survivors, their friends, family, and supporters. It inspires one to be involved in the fight against this dreaded disease. The walks are a clear example of the goodness of the human spirit.

For those of us who participate in 2-day, 3-day, afternoon or morning walks, who fundraise beyond our wildest expectations, and who continue to believe that a small group of dedicated people can change the world, this book is a reminder of all our effort, blood, sweat and tears. For our families and friends who have trouble wrapping their minds around it, this serves as a powerful teaching aid to make them realize 'why we walk' if they haven't grasped it already. I had the pleasure of meeting several of the featured walkers during the weekend of October 1st & 2nd 2005 as I participated in my second Avon 2-Day. Mike McElduff (and the Peggy's Spirit team), Sandra Jordan (and her husband) and Barbara Jo Kirshbaum are such angels-on-earth that it's hard not to feel inspired. There's a special kind of person who walks miles and miles, endures cold, wet, blisters and cramps, raises thousands of dollars and inspires others to listen and be educated about this disease that has torn so many families apart. We walk to raise awareness and inspire others to do the same. We walk for the survivors, for those we lost, for their families and for our future. We sacrifice one day, two days, three days, weeks, months, years, so that one day, we hope in our lifetimes, we will find a cure. I hope this continues to illustrate why we walk and why we will continue to dedicate our lives to the fight.

I had the pleasure of meeting Deb Murphy on a "Walk" and am so excited about this book. They certainly did a magnificent job of putting together interviews with so many people all striving for one common goal, to eradicate breast cancer. In the meantime, these very very dedicated people are doing a large part. I am fortunate also to be related to one of the women mentioned in the book, who never stops surprising me with her strength and dedication to this cause. It is just so emotional to read about these individuals. Knowing, all too well, there also are so many others out there walking and walking. The stories are never ending and you meet such remarkable people as shown in this beautiful book. Thank you so much for creating this inspirational work of art.

A rare glimpse into the hearts and minds of some very inspirational people. A well written and photographed book that will inspire you to do great things in your own life.