Published: September 05, 2008 10:22 pm         

Beckley women raise funds to combat breast cancer

Sharone Jones walked for three days and 60 miles last year, determined to literally take steps toward no woman ever suffering through breast cancer again.

Even her own chemotherapy did not stop her.

Now, Jones and eight friends, calling themselves The Torch Sisters, will burn up the streets of Washington, D.C., in October when they together continue the fight.

A group of eight Beckley women and one woman from Washington will again walk for three days and 60 miles in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. The Torch Sisters team will participate in the Washington 3-Day event Oct. 3-5. Other 3-Day walks will take place in 13 different cities nationwide.

Eighty-five percent of proceeds will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which has invested nearly $1 billion in the fight against breast cancer.

The remaining 15 percent benefits the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, which supports initiatives such as research, treatment, prevention and education.

Besides completing several months of training, every individual participant must raise $2,200. To meet their individual goals, the Torch Sisters will have a fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. today at Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse at 2003 Harper Road in Beckley.

Jones, the team captain, said the silent auction, featuring items donated from vendors throughout the region, will last until 8:30 p.m. Throughout the evening, donations will be taken, and Fujiyama is donating a portion of its sales.

In July 2006 — five days before her wedding — Jones was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was a real rollercoaster story,” she said. “I was ready to start a new life with a new husband, and here I was worried about my future as well as his. It was the unknown.”

Team member Mercedes Ramas said she and Jones have been friends since childhood. Hearing such news was shocking and devastating.

“You don’t think this will happen to someone you know,” she said. “She’s a fantastic, fantastic person.”

Nevertheless, Jones held on — even working while in treatment. Last year, a Bluefield nurse practitioner and her sister, both breast cancer survivors, told her about the 3-Day. The team grew by word-of-mouth between co-workers and friends, some of whom did not even know each other. All worked full-time and had families.

“We said, ‘We’re in. We’re in. We’re in!’” team member Deena Salon said.

“Those who were asked didn’t think twice,” team member Jennifer Christiansen added.

Last year, the women trained for the 3-Day event in Tampa, Fla., which they said was no walk in the park — especially for Jones, who was still undergoing chemotherapy.

“I had treatment on Wednesday, drove to Charlotte and flew to Tampa on Thursday, and walked Friday through Sunday,” she said.

However, the women saw people in even worse condition. Jones said her hair had started to grow back by then, but she saw women who had none at all. Nevertheless, everyone supported one another.

“We laughed, we cried, we cussed and we sang,” Jones laughed.

“I saw a survivor who was in a wheelchair who pushed herself the whole 60 miles,” team member Rebecca Bailey said. “It was a life-changing event.

“You would see people along the way who weren’t able to walk, but they thanked you. You would see men saying, ‘My wife died. Thank you for walking.’”

Bailey noted not all walkers in the 3-Day are women. In Tampa, they met a team called The SOBs — Sons, Others and Brothers.

Jones encouraged the public to support this year’s 3-Day and join the fight against breast cancer. She believes events such as this are the reason she is in remission — and alive.

“I wouldn’t be here without the funds raised to improve breast cancer treatments,” she said. “I truly believe that.”

Other members of the Torch Sisters team include Beckley residents Giovannie Meadows, Lynn Burgeson and Beth Toler and Washington resident Melanie Lympus.

— E-mail: apridemore

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