City supervisor, cancer survivor head to Chicago for cancer walk

Carson City Supervisor Robin Williamson's three daughters gave their mother odd Mother's Day gifts this year.

A pair of Addidas shoes, a sports bra and some trail snacks.

Not the normal Mother's Day fare, Williamson noted.

But the gifts were specialized to help Williamson in a 60-mile walk she's preparing for.

On Wednesday, Williamson will fly to Wisconsin to trek in the Avon Three-Day Walk for Breast Cancer from Kenosha, Wisc. to Chicago.

Carson resident Sally Crow will tread the same 60 miles, and for Crow, 51, the walk is deeply personal. She is a 9-year survivor of breast cancer.

"When I started doing this, I thought, 'I'm going to walk and help raise funds for other people,'" Crow said. "As I got closer and did my fund-raising, people were so open to sponsoring me in this walk it became just an awesome experience. It really brings home how awesome my survival is."

Both Crow and Williamson raised over $2,000 pledges for the walk. The majority of the money raised by the 2,500 walkers will be used to help fund breast cancer research. Some of the money will go to osteoporosis research, something Williamson just found out she has.

While Williamson has never had to deal with breast cancer, she knows many others who have. The walk for her is partially for them and partially to meet some old friends and have a good time.

"It's also a personal challenge to myself," she said. "I'll turn 50 this year, so I said to myself, 'this is something I can still do.'"

Crow's sister, who lives near Chicago, walked last year in Crow's honor.

"I thought if she would do it again, I would do it with her," Crow said.

Williamson walks between six and 10 miles at least three times a week to train for the event, which will push the walkers 20 miles a day.

"I'm nervous and excited," she said. "I've walked 20 miles just once. You get tired.

"I'm counting on flat terrain and low elevation," she quipped. "Those are my saving graces. I'm assuming they're not going to leave bodies along the side of the road. If push comes to shove, I'll make it alive."

Crow said her training has been "walking and walking and walking and walking.

"I'm hoping I can make it. I think I can," she said. "This brings awareness to people to help raise funds for research. Since I was diagnosed in 1991, there have been so many advances for breast cancer patients. The survival rate has gone up because people are more aware and are getting their checkups.

"I know people who didn't make it. Even now, I know people who are going through the same thing I went through. I said, 'I'll walk for you. You'll be in my heart while I walk.'"