Huntley women walk for a cure

Christy Nolte knows all too well the devastation breast cancer can cause.

Her grandmother - and all six of her grandmother's sisters - died from the disease.

Additionally, a friend of Nolte's succumbed to breast cancer at age 31.

"I know what it's like to go through the loss of someone with cancer to being scared every day of your life that you're going to get it," Nolte said. "I've been struggling with that for years."

Last year, Nolte heard about the Breast Cancer 3-Day, a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen for the Cure that takes thousands of area residents on a 60-mile trek through the northwest suburbs.

"This would be a great way to help out with that cause," she thought.

Nolte fired off an e-mail to three friends and neighbors who have raised their children together in Huntley's Covington Lakes subdivision: Nicki Fisher, Kim Bator and Katie Erturk.

Nolte's neighbors, spurred by their personal connection to breast cancer, decided the fundraiser should be a team effort.

"It's just something that became very personal that I became very passionate about," said Fisher, whose mother-in-law is a survivor.

The women formed Team Cure or Bust and trained for more than 300 miles during the next 24 weeks.

Their labors culminated in the three-day walk through the northwest suburbs in August 2008. The walk proved an emotional experience for the women - and a painful one, as evidenced by the blisters that covered their feet at the end of the trek.

"It was amazing to see how many people out there were willing to give their time for a great cause," Nolte said. "A few blisters aren't very much compared to all the chemo and the suffering that people with cancer go through."

The first supporter Nolte saw during the walk was an 8-year-old boy who held up a sign that said: "Thanks for walking for my mom."

Nolte thought about if the little boy had been her daughter.

While Team Cure or Bust was walking, a woman pulled over in her car and handed the team a $50 check.

"You're surprised by how many people are affected by it," said Erturk, who lost an aunt to breast cancer last year. "We learned a lot from the walk."

After they finished the walk in Soldier Field with an emotional tribute to breast cancer survivors, Team Cure or Bust had one thought on its mind:

"We want to do it again," Erturk said.

Team Cure or Bust hopes to raise $15,000 this year, besting last year's total of about $12,000.

To do that, the team is hosting the 2009 Rack and Roll at Bowl-Hi Lanes at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday, April 17. The event will feature live entertainment, food and unlimited bowling.

"This is a cause we need to support," Bator said. "Raising money for a good cause - it does help. It makes a difference."

To donate or find out more, visit the3day.org/goto/cureorbust.