Each participant uses different methods to get in shape for the strenuous 3-Day Walk. Besides walking several miles a week and working out at the gym, Brady has discovered mall walking. [Many shopping malls around the country are opening their doors in the mornings to anyone who wants to exercise away from traffic and harsh weather.]

Jami Ballentine, a first time walker, decided to participate after losing several of her family members to cancer. The former couch potato said training for the 60-mile walk has been a struggle.

"Every time that I want to quit, I just look at a picture of my aunt and it keeps me motivated," says Ballentine.

Raising Money.
More than 80 percent of proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day directly benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. The foundation provides various fundraising tools to help walkers raise the compulsory $2,200. A free personal fundraising web site is available so that participants can keep track of their donations and send out group emails to family and friends.

While Ballentine has been sending emails, she’s also taken her efforts a step further by planning a benefit—Comedy for a Cure—to help raise money for this September’s 3-Day Walk in Missouri.