At first, the phone call that Jill Leitner received from her friend a few months back didn’t exactly register. The friend asked 47-year-old Leitner, a North Bergen resident, if she would be willing to help out in raising funds for breast cancer research.
"My friend is a breast cancer survivor, so I said that I wanted to help any way I could," Leitner said. "I’ve been affected by cancer in my life. My mother died of cancer and I have four friends who are breast cancer survivors. I knew it was a tremendous cause and I wanted to be a part of it."
But Leitner had no idea about the incredible commitment she was about to make. She volunteered to take part in the Avon/Pallota Teamworks Breast Cancer Crusade, which was a 60-mile walk through New York, with all proceeds going to breast cancer research.
The journey lasted over three days last weekend and took the approximately 2,300 walkers from Bear Mountain State Park throughout Rockland County and to a grand ceremony at Rockland County College in Suffern, N.Y.
The walk was originally scheduled to commence at Bryant Park in Manhattan, but organizers had to re-route the walk because of the tragic events of Sept. 11.
Leitner was also asked to raise at least $1,900 in sponsorship to complete the journey.
"I set a goal of $3,500 and I got $6,700," Leitner said. "I got an enormous response from a lot of people, especially the unit owners where I live in the Parker Imperial (on Boulevard East). It was a tremendous feeling to have such commitment and spirit from people who saw the larger cause."
Leitner didn’t know how extensive of a physical demand it was to commit to the project.
"I went to seminars from the organizers, who got us prepared to do the walk," Leitner said. "They told us that we had to train, that no one just goes out and walks 60 miles. I never thought I would be able to do the 60 miles. I started training in May and I would walk five miles and my legs would be aching. But from May through September, I trained, increasing my walk by five more miles each week. Eventually, I got up to 50 miles."
Leitner said that she would walk down to Jersey City and up to Englewood Cliffs and the Palisades Interstate Park as part of her training regimen.
"I would meet people along the way, and the camaraderie was tremendous," Leitner said. "I also met some people who were training for this Avon event, so we were training together."
Once Leitner, who is a self-employed executive recruiter, got the physical part of the walk down, it was time to turn the attention to the fundraising side of the event.
"I never raised money for anything before," Leitner said. "I was very fearful of that. I went to orientations and they taught us how to raise the money. They asked us to send out letters to friends and business associates, and that’s what I did. I didn’t want to take advantage of any of the relationships I have. I could have sent out 1,000 letters, but I sent out about 120. The response was tremendous from everyone."
Leitner set out on her journey, walking with five other friends, last Friday. The group would walk 20 miles each day, going from 7:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m.
After the day’s walk, the walkers would all then retire at collective tent community, where shower trailers were set up and meals were provided. The next day, it was more of the same.
"The biggest worry I had was getting blisters," Leitner said. "The organizers said that you should change your socks at least once and perhaps wear two pairs of socks in order to fight off the blisters. Since I had been training so much, I guess I was prepared for anything. It was not as difficult as I expected. I guess I was prepared."
Leitner said that she met so many incredible people along the way, including one New York City firefighter who had spent practically every shift searching for victims at Ground Zero.
"It was the first days he had off since Sept. 11," Leitner said. "He said that he had to do the walk with his mom, who is a breast cancer survivor. There were so many stories of breast cancer survivors that really invigorated you and kept you going. The stream of emotion was enhanced by the tragedy of Sept. 11. We all just moved forward towards the same goal."
Added Leitner, "This wasn’t a physical commitment. This was an emotional journey. It was a tremendous outpouring of emotions."
Which culminated on Sunday with closing ceremonies.
"It really felt like it was an Olympic event, with the people along the route, clapping and cheering," Leitner said. "The energy was tremendous as the people walked in. The spectators were just terrific and made us feel special. In some respects, I didn’t want it to end."
Leitner said that she watched the New York Marathon last Sunday with a different perspective.
"I related to those runners," Leitner said. "I knew what they were going through."
Leitner said that she had such a strong and uplifting experience in completing the walk that she has already registered for next year’s event.
"I wouldn’t miss it for the world," she said.