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Beverly woman steps up to help battle cancer

BEVERLY – Imagine walking 20 miles a day for three days. Now imagine doing it for a cause you are passionate about. It makes the walk a little easier that way.

This is what Staci Spung, 28, of Beverly thinks every time she enters a Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk.

In 2006, Spung saw a commercial for the Susan G. Komen Foundation 3-Day Walk, during the time her grandmother was battling breast cancer, and instantly knew she had to do it.

Two months after registering, Spung’s grandmother passed away.

“I never actually got to experience the event with her physically, but before she passed away, she donated toward my fundraising efforts and expressed how proud of me she was for the journey I was about to partake in,” said Spung.

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk is a total of 60 miles over a span of three days. The event is held in seven locations across the United States, from Michigan to San Diego.

Over the past five years, Spung has participated in 12 3-Day walks, and is training for her 13th and 14th races later on this year.

The racers will walk for three days on a pre-determined route, where there are pit stops every three to four miles for drinks and snacks.

“Once you finish the day, you end at camp where it is a sea of pink tents,” said Spung. “Dinner is provided, and there are shops/games also at camp. There is a camp show each night where games are played and participants speak, which is my favorite part.”

All walkers are required to raise $2,300 per event in order to participate. Spung is participating in two events this year, which means she will have to raise double the original participation fee.

“I’m holding an event called “Karaoke for a Cure” at the Beverly Eagles on July 22 as a fundraiser, so after that I should have a lot more to add to my fundraising for this year,” said Spung.

All of the money Spung raises goes directly toward the Susan G. Komen foundation, and all her travel expenses are paid for out of her own pocket. Her dedication and ability to never give up are what her mother, Brenda Spung, admires most.

“Ever since she was in school she had a goal to go to college, everything she has set her mind to she has always been very dedicated at achieving,”said Brenda. “Ever since she set a goal to start raising money, she would do anything it took to raise that money.”

Staci says she stays active year-round taking walks with her dog. When summer hits she starts taking 10-20 mile walks, whenever she’s not working as an auditor for the southeast region of Ohio.

Spung says she never questions her participation in any event.

“It’s become so close to my heart, but there are times where the training does get tough,” she said. “On hot summer days or rainy days, it’s hard to stay motivated, but knowing I have an event coming up helps me keep motivated.”

Susan G. Komen is an organization that is dedicated to saving lives and ending breast cancer forever. The organization donates 80 cents of every dollar toward mission programs, including 20-25 cents going toward research.

To date, Komen has donated $889 million toward breast cancer research.

“Knowing the funds that I raise for the 3-Day are being used in that way provides great peace when asking for donations, for I know they are being put to good use,” said Staci. “Because I began my participation when my grandmother was battling breast cancer it quickly became close to my heart.”

Spung said her inspiration solely remains on the fight to end cancer and find a cure.

“Once I set foot on my very first event, I realized I wasn’t just there for her but for everyone else who has ever been affected by cancer in any way,” said Spung.

To follow Staci’s fundraising journey and to make donations visit the3day.org/goto/sspung.

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