Italian Breast Cancer Walk and AIDS Walk

About the Event:

It's a walking tour with a cause. The Italian Breast Cancer Walk is a seven-day event with six full days of walking through central Italy a total of approximately 60 miles. It is limited to 14 walkers and 2 crew members. Walkers collect a minimum of $1500 for the Y-ME Foundation or for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation or the cause of their choice. This event is conducted by the Ride for a Cause organization.

Dates and Locations:

September 7-13, 2008 (and future dates as scheduled). From San Severino, Italy. Walkers must arrange their own transportation to and from the event at their own expense. San Severino is easily accessible by train from Rome or Florence.

Registration:

A registration fee of $1200 pays for breakfasts, dinners, walking water and sports drink and snacks, lodging, and trail support during the walk. This is separate from donations collected, allowing all donations to flow to the charities. Registration Form

Donations:

Each walker must collect $1500 in donations to participate. The donations will either go to the non-profit Y-ME breast cancer support charity or to a non-profit breast cancer charity designated by the walker. Because the walker pays for all of the event overhead separately, 100% of the donations go to the charities. The walker must fund the registration and transportation by means other than soliciting donations in the name of the charity.

Walking:

Each day has a designated trail of between 6 and 13.5 miles, in terrain that includes hills and other challenges in the countryside of Tuscany. A support vehicle patrols the route ensuring walkers are doing well. Water, sports drink, snacks, and first aid are provided along the route. The walker buys their own lunch in the local towns.

Accommodations:

Walkers share rooms in local inns and enjoy homemade Italian dinners each night. There is a supplement charge for a single room. The sparse Italian breakfasts are supplemented with cereals, eggs, and juices. Walkers purchase their own lunches, alcohol, and other incidentals. Luggage is transported for the walkers. There is no laundry service during the walk.

Other Events:

The Ride for a Cause also organizes an Italian AIDS Walk, and AIDS Rides in Italy and Ireland.

Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization:

The mission of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization is to ensure that no one faces breast cancer alone. Their services include the 24-hour Y-ME National Breast Cancer Hotline 1-800-221-2141 in English or 1-800-986-9505 in Español. The Men's Match Program provides support and education for men while they are supporting a woman or friend through breast cancer. The ShareRing Network has monthly teleconferences and small group discussions. They also have free Wig and Prosthesis Bank.