Team to do Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in honor of friend
Charisse Allegretti of Winfield lost her seven-year fight with breast cancer Jan. 23.
In her memory, a unified group of family, friends and neighbors will do the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-day walk this year in her honor as the Gaelic & Garlic team.
When she was dying, Ron Katarzynski said he and her husband, Don, both promised that they would do the walk, which benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
They will be part of a 13-member team of walkers from Winfield who began training in April. They gather at 5:30 a.m. on weekends to walk and during the week on their own for the 2008 Chicago 3-Day event Aug 8-10.
"Our overall goal is $35,000," Katarzynski said.
The team name of Gaelic & Garlic originated with the walkers in 2005 because half the team members were of Italian descent and the other half were Irish.
To reach the goal, Katarzynski said they have a fundraiser planned June 14 by invitation for about 225 people. The event features auctions, and they are hoping for more items to be donated by businesses, residents or corporate sponsors by the end of May.
Suggested items include airline miles, sporting tickets, dinners, gift certificates or time shares. They may be dropped off at the home of Don Allegretti, 27W233 Waterford Drive, Winfield.
Donations also may be made online at 08.the3day.org/site.
For details, call Katarzynski at (630) 666-8284.
Several members of this year's Gaelic & Garlic team share their stories of why they are doing the walk. Essays are from Charisse's husband, Don Allegretti, and friends Gail Pirics, Rosaleen Carey, Mary Spatz, Mary Fiordirosa, Trudy Enger and Mary Lou Katarzynski.
The Daily Herald invites participants to share their reasons for doing the walk. If you would like to share your story, send it to Assistant City Editor Anne Halston at ahalston@dailyherald.com.
Don Allegretti
I walk because Charisse was a wonderful wife and mother. She touched my life like no other, and she was the strongest person I have ever met. I walk because I learned about true courage from her.
With that courage, I can carry on and raise our kids as we planned. I walk so that others might not have to go through the horrible pain and suffering that is breast cancer.
I walk for my daughter, so that when she is an adult maybe breast cancer can be a footnote in history instead of a devastating illness that affects women and their families all over the world. I walk because 60 miles and 3 days seems to be a small sacrifice to make considering all the physical and mental pain that Charisse went through.
Personally, I am walking to help in the healing process for myself and my kids, Donny and Gianna. Hopefully, they will see how many people share their burden. It is a testament to their mom to see family and friends walk and donate in her honor. I walk because I love her and miss her.
Gail Pirics
I am walking in the 3-Day because I am one of the "lucky" ones. Charisse and I found lumps in our breasts during the same week six years ago. We compared symptoms, made appointments with our doctors and awaited the test results.
When we met in the school parking lot one afternoon, we shared our results -- mine was benign; hers was malignant. Experiencing a breast cancer scare is difficult enough. Enduring breast cancer takes the strength of a warrior.
Charisse was a fighter, and I am walking to let her and those who have gone before her, and those who are yet to follow, know that we will not let their fight end in defeat.
We must continue fighting until we celebrate victory in their names.
Rosaleen Carey
My reason for walking, is not just one reason -- there are many. First, I am a survivor. I was 32 years old with three young children to care for when I was given a 50/50 chance to live. I was in shock, couldn't believe this was happening to me, wasn't sure how to handle it.
One day in the school parking lot, a young woman came up and introduced herself to me as Charisse Allegretti, a survivor. She gave me hope, words of encouragement and the will to fight to live.
My heart sank when she was given the sad news that her cancer had returned. She fought long and hard to live; she was such a good person. I believe in my heart she was here on this earth to help all who needed a kind word. Her job was done and Our Lord called her home.
I also walk for my sister, who is now going down the road of survival. I also have two daughters that I worry may get this disease.
If you sit back and think about it for a moment, we more than likely know someone who has or has had this disease. We need to find a cure. Too many lives are lost, too many people hurt. There is a cure -- we just need to look harder. Help us find a cure. Life is short, live it well.
Mary Spatz
I began walking for a cure about 6 years ago when a woman I knew, just briefly, asked me to put together a team for Relay For Life to raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer.
Her name was Charisse. She had recently found out that she had breast cancer. I had children in both her children's classes at school.
I heard the news of her cancer as we both waited outside a birthday party to pick up our daughters. I asked if there was anything I could do to help. She replied, "Well, you could walk with me." And so we did -- two years for the Relay For Life and then in 2005 we went all out and walked in the 3-day.
I had no idea what a difference it would make in my life. In walking, talking and training with Charisse and the rest of our team, I began and grew amazing friendships that I might not have otherwise had the opportunity to develop.
I also am lucky to have become close friends with those who support our team through encouragement, food, phone calls and well wishes. Because of Charisse, we began this journey, but we all continue to walk in her honor, as well as with so many more friends that have grown from her love.
I walk to keep these friendships for a long time to come. I don't want to lose another dear friend, and if walking can help make that happen, I'll keep on walking.
Mary Fiordirosa
In the year 2005, I became a 3-day walker as a way of supporting my friend, Charisse Allegretti. Charisse had been battling breast cancer. After years of battling, my friend Charisse was taken by the horrible disease.
Today, I choose to continue the walk for those who continue to battle breast cancer and its effects. It is my hope, through my efforts, that this walk for a cure will benefit those who continue to battle breast cancer.
I further hope that my efforts will help find a way to help eradicate breast cancer for future generations.
Trudy Enger
This will be the third time that I am participating in the Breast Cancer 3-day walk.
The first year was in 2005 and there were 9 walkers and 2 crew members on our team. Of the 9 walkers, 2 of them, Charisse and Rosaleen, were breast cancer survivors.
This was such an incredible experience with a lot of laughs and a lot of tears. You truly felt that by walking these 60 miles you were making a difference.
The second year there were only 4 of us participating in the walk. Charisse did not participate the second year due to her health and because she said she would not do it again until she was cancer free.
This was something that she never gave up hope on; she was certain that she would be around for a long time and this awful disease would not take her.
The third time participating in this walk will be very different than the past two times. This time we will be walking in memory of our dear friend Charisse and in honor of our friend Rosaleen.
These women were and are incredibly strong and determined people. I feel so blessed to have had Charisse in my life and I feel blessed that Rosaleen is still a part of my life. I am doing this walk for them and for all of the women who may not be able to participate but are in need of a cure.
Mary Lou Katarzynski
The 3-Day Walk means hope for the future for all women and their daughters. I began my journey trying to raise money for a girlfriend, Charisse, who was diagnosed with breast cancer four years before the walk. Raising some money and walking 60 miles was the least I could do.
Charisse was strong-willed, a keep-the-faith fighter who, until the last minute, prayed for a miracle. She was never ready to give up. Her body gave up on her. I have learned so much from watching her pray, medicate and act like nothing was wrong when she was extremely sick.
Her hope and desire to continue being a wife, mother, daughter, girlfriend, walker and fundraiser kept us all in awe. I used to pray for her and now I pray to her. I pray that she helps us figure out what this new normal is as we move forward in our journey called life.
I walk in her honor. As we walk and raise money, she will be proud of us all. We are continuing what she started, to help rid the world of this deadly disease!
On a side note, I type this as I am sitting at Central DuPage Hospital waiting for my own biopsy. Charisse is with me. We had a signal among our friends. The signal was a ladybug. The lady who registered me had a ladybug pin on her shirt. Thank you, Charisse, for being by my side.
Send us your stories
The Daily Herald invites those planning to participate in the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day walk to tell us why you're walking to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
• If you would like to share your story, please send it to Assistant City Editor Anne Halston.
E-mail: ahalston@dailyherald.com
Fax: (630) 955-0895
Mail: 4300 Commerce Court, Lisle, IL 60532