LOCKPORT — Megan Destro has been known to do some eccentric things. The Lockport resident dressed up as Raggedy Anne for the Ghost Hunters Party at Marjim Manner last fall just for fun.
From July 31 to Aug. 2, the registered radiology technologist will take part in the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in Cleveland. Destro has been training for months and is determined to walk 20 miles per day for three days.
“If you know me, you know that I am a total girlie girl. I am willing to sacrifice my nice cozy bed for a couple of nights,” she said. “I’m used to doing crazy things. I’m a determined person, once I set my mind to something, I do it.”
Destro is 39. While she wasn’t thinking of the BIG 4-0, she said, “It’s a big thing for a milestone birthday.”
The walk is a national event and each participant is required to raise $2,300. Destro has already raised $1,800 and her goal is $3,000. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
Neighbor Elaine Casler, 64, is Destro’s walking buddy, and one day they took a walk to Gasport. The buddies have been walking all over Lockport.
“It’s almost like running three marathons in three days,” said Casler who is a veteran of 26-mile marathon runs. “She’s very focused.”
Destro and Casler have been neighbors for 16 years and have walked together about three years.
“We walked separately and decided to walk together,” Casler said. “We would take long, long walks. We teamed up that way. Gasport was our furthest walk together. We will do more so she can manage 60 miles. It’s kind of nice to plan together.”
Friends, family and new acquaintances have pledged donation. Her employers at Eastern Niagara Hospital, Newfane site and Eastern Niagara OB/Gyn have also contributed.
On Mother's Day, her family presented Destro with a ring that says “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” She wears it always.
“This is a cause that is close to my heart. My own aunt suffered through this disease,” she wrote on her Web site. “Every day I encounter more and more women that have either had breast cancer or know someone who has. I myself know more than my share. I have always wanted to make a difference, not only having a hand in the diagnosis, but helping with hopefully eradicating this disease someday.”
When Destro heard about “The 3-Day,” she found her answer.
Destro, who used to be 77 pounds heavier, feels she is up for the challenge. The walk is designed to be bold because a breast cancer diagnosis is very challenging.
Destro estimates that she I will have walked 660 miles after training and the Cleveland walk. Because her feet will swell during the walk, her new shoes have to be a half-size larger. She will rotate shoes each day.
For security reasons, the walkers will not learn the route until the day of the walk and they don’t know where they will be camping overnight. Participants will not stay in hotels, but in two-person tents.
Destro feels she will be representing the women that have either won their battle or have lost their fight. She invites people to visit her personal page on www.The3Day.org.
Local News
Related Photos
MARATHON: Lockport woman trains to go 60 miles in 3 days
- Local News
-
- Sense of resignation escorts AES tax pact
- Town considering WNYLC's request
-
Palace, Hartland get Greenway funding
The Historic Palace Theatre and the Town of Hartland both were cleared Tuesday to receive Niagara River Greenway funding for improvement projects.
The eight-member Host Communities Standing Committee voted unanimously to approve funding requests of $151,000 for the Palace and $244,000 for Hartland, which is planning a multi-phase town park enhancement project.
-
Erie Canal photo contest underway
The seventh annual Erie Canalway photo contest is under way.
Entries are being accepted now through Sept. 7. Winning photos will be published in the 2013 Erie Canalway calendar.
-
Jobless totals drop slightly
Unemployment in the Lockport area decreased slightly last month, but it wasn't because more people are going back to work.
The New York State Department of Labor reported Tuesday about 1,000 city residents were without a job in April, the fifth straight month with over 1,000 unemployed. That was down from the 1,100 it reported in March, however, the number of employed stayed the same at about 9,700 people.
-
Fishing for 'Ultimate' perks
Olcott teaming up with Ontario town in running for Canadian equivalent.
-
Sprinkler work coming
Piping in high school fire sprinkler system will be addressed in July.
-
Willow Street victim identified
The victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Willow Street on Saturday was identified by Lockport Police as Richard Boye, 46.
-
Cutting the travel time
For the most part, there is a lot of planning that goes into traveling. Some like to handle the details on their own, making arrangements on the phone or using travel websites to book hotels, planes, vehicles and so on.
But lately, working with a travel agent is becoming more popular.
-
Marine veteran will be grand marshal for Memorial Day Parade
Stan Moreland, who has served as marshal for the Memorial Day Parade since 1994, will be honored as grand marshal for the 2012 holiday on Sunday. The parade will start at the Veterans Memorial at 1 p.m. and by the time it reaches the court house, the Marine Veteran will be in a convertible.
Moreland, a 62-year-old Lockport native enlisted in the Marines at 17 after dropping out of school. He was served three years and while in the service, he was a welder and stationed in Japan.
- More Local News Headlines
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
