Soldier walks for a cure

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Joseph VonNida | Colorado Army National Guard Col. Marty Biastoch, commander of the 168th Regimental Training Institute at Fort Carson, Colo., (left) poses with fellow participants during the Denver Breast Cancer 3-Day in Lakewood, Colo., Aug. 28, 2009. Biastoch is walking 60 miles in memory Judy Romanowski, a family friend who died of breast cancer in 2005. Romanowski is survived by her sister, COARNG Maj. Denise Howard of Centennial Training Site, Colorado Army National Guard.  

LAKEWOOD, UNITED STATES

08.28.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Pamlia Ames 

Colorado National Guard

LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Without question, time is one of the most valuable commodities any individual owns. In August more than 700 men and women gathered to give just that.

At 5:30 a.m. outside the Colorado Mills Mall, 732 participants arrived for the start of the Denver Breast Cancer 3-Day. Among them was Colorado Army National Guard Col. Marty Biastoch, commander of the 168th Regimental Training Institute at Fort Carson, Colo.

Biastoch said she chose to participate this year "for the future in hope my two beautiful nieces, Camryn and Hannah, will be able to live their lives without any worries."

This cancer affects more than just the patients. It affects co-workers, friends and family. Biastoch walked not only in an effort to prevent the disease in her own family, but also for her friend, Judith "Judy" Romanowski, who lost her fight with breast cancer in November 2005.

"Judy was a loving sister, mother, grandmother and wife. She fought breast cancer for seven years." Biastoch said Romanowski's cancer was in remission "but came back with a vengeance. Judy is the sister of my friend Denise (COARNG Maj. Denise Howard, Centennial Training Site, Fort Carson, Colo.) and it is my honor to walk in her name."

Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Debra Morrow is one of many breast cancer survivors. Though she wasn't present for this Denver event there were many who walked in her honor. Morrow is a yeoman with the Volunteer Training Unit, Naval Operational Support Center in Saufley Field, Pensacola, Fla.

"[The] first thing that hit me was the possibility of my suffering and dying of cancer. So I took a deep breath and mentally and emotionally prepared to loss the battle," Morrow said. She received medical treatments for more than a year. "Chemotherapy began September 2005 until Nov. 12, 2005. Radiation began January 2006 until April 2006."

Today, Morrow is cancer free.

The Denver Breast Cancer 3-day is an annual walk throughout the Denver Metro Area that spans 60 miles and three days.

Participants must commit to raising $2,300 by Sept. 30. Net proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust. Events like the Breast Cancer 3-day have invested more than $1.2 billion to end breast cancer by funding research and community outreach programs.

Biastoch has collected almost $1,200 towards the $2,300 goal. For more information go to www.the3day.org, select donate, top right of page, search for participants and type "Marty Biastoch."

• Date Taken: 08.28.2009
• Date Posted: 09.15.2009 15:39
• Story ID: 38806
• Location: LAKEWOOD, US