Breast Cancer Survivor Walks for Hope

Kim Shoemaker of Acworth tells the story of her battle with breast cancer and how special it is to have her children celebrate and walk with her.

By: Michelle Berman

All it took was a mosquito bite for Kim to find the lump in March 2009. While simply scratching the bite, Kim gave herself an accidental self exam and found the lump. She went in for a mammogram and two days later her journey began. With just a simple self exam, Kim was able to find the very aggressive cancer and beat it. Kim has been cancer free for 2 years. With no family history of breast cancer, Kim puts so much stress on how important self exams can be.

Kim’s involvement with the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer started in a very magical way. She met the founder of the 2-Day, Randi Passoff, at a production of Wicked. Coincidentally, Randi was sitting in the row behind her. After the show, Kim wrote Randi and told her she wanted to get involved. With that, Kim’s love for the Atlanta 2-Day began.

Celebrating ten years this October, The Atlanta 2-Day Walk has generated more than $8 million for 169 grants to breast health programs throughout Georgia that provide screening and diagnosis, treatment education, and support services.  The endurance walk is produced by It’s The Journey, a local organization which is proud to state that all of the money raised here, stays here in Georgia.

Kim walked for the first time in 2010 along with her family members, her friends from high school, her friends from college, and a bunch of local friends. On a team of 22, the person that stood out the most was Kim’s 14 year old daughter. “My daughter was the youngest walker that first year. I was so proud of her,” Kim says. “She helped our team raise the money and didn't complain about the 30 mile walk. And even though she was too busy to train with us, she didn't stop for a moment! I loved having her with us. It is difficult for a teenager to tell you how she feels; by her walking with me....I think that tells me exactly how she feels.”

This year, Kim and her team, Hope Fight Win, is back for their third year of walking. Her team also has a new addition this year: Kim’s son! “I think he is very excited to be part of it!  He will be proud to wear our HOPE FIGHT WIN t-shirt, even though it is pink!” Of her son’s support, Kim explains, “He was there to help me shave my head when it was time, he made me dinner and brought it to me on a dinner tray with a flower one day when I was too tired to join them at the table, and now he will proudly be there to help us make a difference for the greater good!”

Individuals or teams can participate in the Atlanta 2-Day Walk, which covers 30 miles over two days, with each walker responsible for raising $1,000.

When sharing her feelings about the Atlanta 2-Day, Kim says, “As a survivor, I know that one of the most difficult days, ironically, was my last day of chemo. I thought I'd feel relieved; however, it actually was one of the scariest days. While I was taking my treatments, I knew that I was doing something to battle this disease. When I stopped, I panicked a little. I didn't feel like I was fighting any more. By walking, I feel like I am not only helping myself, as an active lifestyle is so imperative to keeping the disease at bay, but I am able to help others, to help future generations as well. Our team is HOPE FIGHT WIN....and that is what I feel It's The Journey is helping us all do!”

For more information about sponsorship, becoming a walker or making a donation to the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.2daywalk.org, email info@2daywalk.org, or call (404) 531-4111.