by Tiffany Elliott

Over two days, 230 men, women and children raised more than $290,000 in the 35-mile Pfizer 2004 Long Island walk to fight breast cancer. The walkers covered 20 miles on their first day, June 5, and did an additional 15 miles the second. They traveled from Smith Point County Park in Shirley, camped overnight at Cathedral Pines County Park in Middle Island and returned to Smith Point Park the next day.

The money raised was given to the Adelphi Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program, Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition, Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, North Shore Neighbors Breast Cancer Coalition and Sisters Network-LI Chapters, plus Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and North Shore-Long Island Jewish Research Institute.

Pictured "in action" are Babylon walkers Alice Vanderweldt and Ann Marie Martino.

"It’s the least that I could do for friends and family that have suffered or are suffering this horrible disease," said Vanderweldt.

Martino echoed her sentiment, "I walked for my mom who died of breast cancer in 2000. It’s important for us to find a cure."

Another walker from Babylon, Mary Estrada, said she decided to walk when she found out her neighbor was suffering with the disease. After they combined their Christmas card lists and Estrada walked, the duo wound up making over $5,000 to find a cure.

"Although my neighbor didn’t walk, she did join in the survivor walk at the end, it was very touching," said Estrada, who plans to walk again.

The next walk will be on June 4, and 5, 2005. Information can be found on www.libreastcancerwalk.,org or call 631-863-2day.