Miracle Miles

Marion Hovet and Joanne Burch don’t have breast cancer, but both Ventura women have plenty of friends and relatives who do. Some are in remission. Some have died.

The disease strikes with randomness and frequency that is both frightening and instructive, said Hovet, 61, an administrator for a state agency. One in nine American women will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

“It seems like everyone knows someone who has breast cancer,” she said. “You just never know when it will be your turn.”

That’s why the local women were among 3,000 people who walked 18 miles from Santa Barbara to Ventura on Friday to get out the message that early detection saves lives. The walkers--95% of them women--will cover 42 more miles before the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk concludes Sunday in Malibu.

Walkers raise a minimum of $1,700 each and endure blistered toes, sunburn and two nights of sleep in a tent. But the payoff is well worth the pain, several women said. Organizers say the $5 million raised from the event will pay for programs educating the public on ways to detect the cancer early, when it can be more successfully treated.

Breast cancer will kill 43,500 women this year, but 40% of them might have been saved had they discovered their lumps early through mammography screening or monthly self-examinations, organizers said. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women, they said.

Friday’s walk was the second for Pat Retich, 51. Retich and her friend, Carol Spiegel, 42, walked last year’s inaugural event and had so much fun that they decided to do it again. The women, both Westlake Village residents, said they like the camaraderie that develops among walkers.

“There was this dear sweet old lady who I didn’t think would make it up a hill today,” Retich said. “But we just talked her up it. . . . It’s like that the whole time. You don’t hear a harsh word for three days.”

Organizers keep the moving community of walkers fed and even pampered with military precision. Banks of mobile showers awaited the sweaty participants as they arrived at Friday’s campsite at San Buenaventura State Beach.

Students from Ocean Junior High School in Oxnard helped lug bags to campsites and pitch tents. Larger tents housed podiatrists, masseuses, physical therapists and doctors ready to offer free service.

And in a knowing nod to its audience, Avon provided tables of free products, from tubes of skin moisturizers to a deodorant powder especially for feet. Before the weekend is over, 5,600 pounds of pasta will have been served, along with 8,200 pounds of chicken and 700 dozen bagels.

“It’s awesome,” said an appreciative Spiegel, as she inflated a high-tech air mattress. “That’s why we’re back.”

For many, the walk fulfills a mission for someone they know who has battled breast cancer and died. Bobbi Kramer traveled from New Jersey to be part of the crew that provided water and a yell of encouragement to participants.

Kramer’s sister, Lori Anne Cuthbertson, died of breast cancer at 44 after fighting the disease for eight years. Kramer says she is touched by the 273 walkers wearing pink T-shirts, signifying they have survived a bout of breast cancer.

“The courage of survivors--of people who want to live--is awesome,” she said.

The success of last year’s walk prompted Avon to expand the event to three cities--Chicago, New York and Atlanta. But the 60-mile Santa Barbara to Malibu walk is by far the largest and nets the most dollars, event spokeswoman Denise St. John said.

The four events staged this year will raise $15.2 million for breast cancer education, she said.