Courtesy Photograph
Debbie Benovitz became a one-woman fundraising machine during this year's Avon 3-Day Walk for breast cancer.
Walk becomes a challenge, crusade
Sunnyvale woman raises more than $10,000 for breast cancer research
By Melissa Matchak
For Debbie Benovitz, one dinner out turned into a personal crusade to raise awareness about breast cancer. After seeing an advertisement to send for information about the AVON 3-day Walk benefiting breast cancer research, Benovitz said she didn't choose
the event, the event chose her.
"I read the information card about 20 times, and said to myself, 'well, I guess I'm going to do this,'" Benovitz said.
After attending the orientation for the walk, Benovitz was hooked. Even though Benovitz said she doesn't have any family members affected by breast cancer, she felt it was something she had to do.
"I couldn't not do this," she said. "I wanted to go outside myself, to challenge myself."
Benovitz, who has worked in the Sunnyvale Pak N' Save for the past 17 years, said that as she received more information about the walk and began to raise money through sponsors, she realized how many people she did know who were battling breast cancer. As she began to talk to people about what she was doing, Benovitz said many of her customers came to her with stories of surviving breast cancer.
"When I told my customers what I was doing, I had so many of them hug me and tell me they had gone through it," Benovitz said. "I had no idea how many people were affected, and I really felt for them."
Each person must commit to raise a minimum of $1,800 to participate in the walk. Through 250 sponsors including family, friends and Pak N' Save customers, Benovitz raised more than $10,000. She said although she received no corporate cash donations, Pak N' Save donated hot dogs and sodas, which were sold outside the store to raise money for the walk. Benovitz held a yard sale at her home to raise money. The United Food and Commercial Workers union that Benovitz belongs to also donated $300.
"I was just thrilled with the support of my customers," Benovitz said. "I know these people so well--a lot of them are like family. Their support will never be forgotten."
To recognize all of her sponsors, Benovitz wrote each individual's name on the T-shirt she wore during the walk. The walk, which took place on July 28 through July 30, covered 60 miles between De Anza College in Cupertino and the Marina Green in San Francisco. Benovitz said preparing for the walk took a lot of time, but she would do it again.
"At the end of the walk, I felt like I had many more miles in me. I didn't hurt or ache, I just felt really blessed."
Benovitz said before the walk began a speech was given that explained three reasons the walk was created: to raise awareness about and money for breast cancer, to challenge the walkers, and to create a world of kindness for three days.
"It was amazing to be around that much energy and fighting for a common cause. It wasn't just for breast cancer, it was for the whole experience," Benovitz said.
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
