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Walkers brave rain for women's health benefit

16th annual Walk for Wellness proceeds at Carillon Historical Park despite weather.

Terri Jetter of Beavercreek gets a gets a corsages for being a 12 year survivor of cancer during Women's Walk for Wellness to benefit Kettering Medical Center Foundation at Carillon Historical Park on Sunday, May 2.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Photos: Women's Walk for Wellness

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By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer Updated 12:01 AM Monday, May 3, 2010

DAYTON — When she heard the weather predictions for Sunday, May 2, Jane McGee-Rafal decided to accomplish two things at the same time.

“I went ahead and put conditioner in my hair and figured it would get conditioned at the same time I walked,” joked the chief academic officer for Dayton Public Schools.

Despite uncertain weather, she and hundreds of other pink-clad participants arrived on time at Carillon Historical Park for the 16th Walk for Wellness.

The annual event, sponsored by Kettering Medical Center Foundation, raises funds to provide mammograms and other tests and supplies for those without medical insurance. Throughout the years, more than 8,000 people have benefited.

More than 1,500 were preregistered for this year’s walk; organizers said the weather definitely resulted in some no-shows and also affected the number of those who sign up the day of the event. They were hoping to raise $150,000.

The skies opened up just as the walk began at 2 p.m. That didn’t faze the majority of the walkers, who opened their umbrellas, zipped up their raincoats and began the 3.2-mile trek to and along the Great Miami River.

Among the participants were three sisters from Waynesville who arrived wearing shirts that featured photos of their mother and one of her favorite sayings: “La Dolce Vita” (“The Sweet Life”). When their mom lost her life to breast cancer two years ago, the trio got pink ribbon arm tattoos featuring the word “Fearless.”

“She didn’t follow up after she was diagnosed, and when the cancer came back seven years later, it had spread throughout her body,” explained Patricia Manning. When another of the sisters, Tammy Gross, felt a lump in her breast, she turned to the Women’s Wellness Fund for help.

“I didn’t have insurance, and with my mother’s history, I wanted it checked out,” she explained. “I called, and the fund took care of everything.”

Patty Fabrick, office coordinator at the Kettering Breast Evaluation Center, answers calls from those seeking help.

“Every day you hear stories of hardships, of people losing jobs and insurance,” she said. “We hear from girls as young as 16 or in their early 20s.”

Her job is rewarding, she added, because often she can offer the help that’s needed. “People thank you endlessly,” Fabrick said.

To inquire about help with mammograms, call (937) 299-0099.

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