When Celeste Russell-Leighton was 19, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer.
The 42-year-old Sharkey's bartender said her treatment was successful, but the early experience attuned her to the devastation of the disease.
As Russell-Leighton lost loved ones to cancer, she looked for something she could do to honor their memories.
How about a 60-mile walk?
Russell-Leighton is participating in a three-day, 60-mile walk Nov. 9-11 in San Diego to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
A dozen walks are being held across the United States through November.
"A very close friend of mine's mother had breast cancer and when I saw (the walk) on TV, I thought this was one way I could help out now and women in the future who get this disease," she said.
Russell-Leighton has become a familiar sight as she walks through Gardnerville building her stamina.
"I'm pretty much an outdoorsy type," she said. "I like hiking and a lot of four-wheeling. I love nature and I work out with weights."
Russell-Leighton said she tries to walk at least five miles a day and her speed is up to 41Ú2 mph.
She has participated in fundraisers before, but this event will be the longest.
Her husband, Glenn Leighton, has walked the 213-mile John Muir trail. And his 72-year-old father is an ultramarathoner, holding the record for his age group in events of 100 miles or more.
Part of Russell-Leighton's obligation is to raise $2,200 to participate.
Donations can be made in her name on the 3-Day Organization Web site. She's also got a donation jar set up at Sharkey's.
She knows the amount is high, but Russell-Leighton said it's worth it.
"Everything goes to the Susan B. Komen Foundation. It's not absorbed in administrative fees," she said.
She stressed that the walk is not a race.
"Walking as fast as I do doesn't help," she said. "We walk abut 20 miles a day and if you get to the checkpoint too early, you wait for the others," Russell-Leighton said.
"It's not a race. You really get wrapped up into the emotion and experience and in making friends," she said.
Russell-Leighton is walking with friend Sarah Carlson of Washington whose mother Jackie Gallagher was a breast cancer survivor. She invited other participants to join her team.
Russell-Leighton said walkers sleep overnight in "tent cities" set up on the route with showers and meals.
"They make it as nice as they can," she said. "Thousands of men and women participate. I'm getting pretty excited."
ON THE WEB
Breast Cancer 3 Day Susan G. Komen For the Cure
www.3Day.org
INSIDE
"Sharing Their Stories," a special section about cancer survivors with information about the upcoming Carson Valley Relay for Life cancer research fundraiser Aug. 4-5 at Lampe Park.
