BARBOURSVILLE -- Marie Radel credits Facebook for reuniting her with many of her Barboursville High School classmates.

However, she credits a bigger cause for bringing her and two of her dearest friends together again -- raising awareness in the battle against breast cancer.

"So many people have had this. I'm thankful I haven't had to deal with it personally," Radel said. "I can't just sit back and watch friends and family deal with this disease and not do something about it."

Radel, who lives in Indiana, and her fellow Barboursville alumnae friends, Lisa Blizzard of Barboursville and Burgetta Wheeler of North Carolina are going the distance for breast cancer and for their friendship by taking part in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day for the Cure.

The 3-Day is a bit self explanatory. It is a three-day, 60-mile walking journey to raise awareness for breast cancer, and each of the three Barboursville natives will be participating in the event October 29 through 31 when it comes to Tampa, Fla. They are part of an eight member team called "Hot Pink Mamas."

Radel said walking 60 miles in three days is a feat in itself, but it will be a different feat for Blizzard, who was diagnosed with breast cancer this past December.

"You have to get your body to walk 20 miles three days in a row by training everyday for three or four months," Radel said. "It's a lot for anyone to do to get their body ready."

Radel had walked in the event in 2008 after her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, so she was well aware of what it was going to take to be ready for the event.

She said Wheeler was "rarin' to go" when Radel told her about the walk in January 2010. Radel wasn't as sure about Blizzard, who was in the midst of recovering from a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery.

"Burgetta called Lisa while she was still recovering, and Lisa just said 'Sure,'" Radel said. "For someone who has been through what she has, that's a huge effort on her part."

Part of the effort for the women to prepare for the 3-Day is to raise $2,300 each to participate in the event, and they are opening that effort up to the community by hosting a bake sale beginning at 9:30 a.m. this Saturday at the Barboursville Kroger on U.S. 60.

Radel said the event is an open door for anyone who wants to support breast cancer awareness.

"Anyone who comes can buy brownies and treats, or, if they're watching calories, they can just make a donation to help out," Radel said. "It's going to help us get to participate in the walk to raise money and awareness."

Radel encouraged all women to become active in becoming more aware about breast cancer in their personal lives by getting regular mammograms, talking to their doctors, getting educated and just taking care of themselves. She said those steps helped her sister, her friend and even her step mother with their diagnoses.

In the meantime, she said she's going to enjoy supporting a cause that has become something she cares about in her adult life with people she has cared about her entire life.

"It's more than us and the walk," Radel said. "It's about old friends coming together to support each other. That's what it's all about."

To make a donation visit the women's bake sale or visit www.the3day.org for more information.

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