By Nancy Huddleston, Editor

For five years, sisters Stacey Allgood and Michelle Duax of Savage have organized the Sisterhood of Savage, a team of people who train, raise donations and support each other for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk.

“Sixty miles in three days is no easy feat, but it is nothing compared to the fight that each person diagnosed with the disease goes through every day of their life,” said Allgood.

In addition to training for the walk, which takes place Sept. 19-21 this year, the team has to raise funds– each team member must raise $2,200.

“The cool thing about Sisterhood of Savage is we try to meet our goals and then raise a little more so that we can sponsor someone to walk with us. We have offered each of our survivors this opportunity over the years,” Allgood said.

Allgood and Duax started the team with eight women and over the years the team has gotten as large as 40. This year, the team has about 20 members, which includes a man who is a co-survivor, meaning his wife is battling the disease. The team is sponsoring his daughter to walk with them this year.

The success of the team has earned them the distinction of being in the top 10 Twin Cities teams in terms of fundraising to date.

Allgood said the team could not make that goal without the support of local civic groups and businesses. Over the years, Sisterhood has teamed up with the MOMS Club of Savage with a spring garage sale, Sam’s Club, Marketplace Liquor (spring wine tasting) and now Neisen Brother’s Bar and Grill.

This Saturday, Aug. 9, Neisen’s is sponsoring a beer bash to support Sisterhood of Savage. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door from 7 to 9 p.m. for all-you-can drink beer. There will also be a silent auction and raffle. After the beer bash, The Shaw Brothers Band will play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Neisen’s is located at 4851 W. 123rd St., in downtown Savage.

Team member Michelle Gilreath-Wiebold said many people ask her why she would want to walk 60 miles.

“I walk in the hopes to find a cure so that my family, my friends and others don’t develop breast cancer, or will help end their battle with breast cancer,” she said. “Also in hopes that people around me with learn about breast cancer awareness and join in the fight for a cure.”

Crilissa Fenner says simply, “I walk because I can,” when asked why she walks.

“This is my second year to walk and I have added my twin sister (a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma survivor) to the team to experience this most rewarding journey of inspiration and friendship that I have experienced. We do it because ‘Everyone deserves a Lifetime,’” she said.

For more information, go to www.3day.org. Nancy Huddleston can be reached at editor@savagepacer.com.