Area Teen Trains To Walk Alongside Mother in Susan G. Komen Washington, D.C. 3-Day

While other teenagers are sleeping in, 16-year-old, Alexis Smith, is waking up to train so that she can walk 20 miles alongside her mother in the fight against breast cancer. As a participant in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day® Young Women Walking program, Alexis will be walking with her mother, Debbi, who has committed to walk 60 miles in the Komen 3-Day this October.

It was in 2007, after Debbi’s best friend and Alexis’ Godmother, Tanya Johnson Allen, lost her battle to breast cancer that Deborah signed up to participate in her first Komen Washington, D.C 3-Day in 2008. For five years, Alexis watched and supported her mother, but this will be the first year she have the chance to walk 20 miles of the 60-mile journey beside her mom.

Breast cancer knows no age, which is why this year Susan G. Komen 3-Day®, with the support of the Val Skinner Foundation,  launched a program for young breast cancer warriors like Alexis. Young Women Walking, or YW2, invites 16-23 year olds to share in one day of the awe-inspiring Komen 3-Day experience and take charge of their health and lives. 

“Words cannot really describe how excited I am to be walking 20 miles with my mom this year,” said Alexis. “For years I have watched my mother walk proudly in honor of Tanya on the 3-Day and I have aspired to walk with her. I knew the minute that I turned 16 I would sign up no matter what.”

The thought of Alexis walking 20 miles is humbling for Debbi.

“It is never a matter of if, will or should with Alexis,” said Debbi. “She’s extremely determined and once she sets her hopes on accomplishing something, it’s not an option to do otherwise.” 

Young Women Walking provides young women the opportunity to walk on the Saturday of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day. While Komen 3-Day participants raise $2,300 and walk 60 miles in three days, YW2 participants will raise $750 and walk 20 miles in one day.

“I see how my mom is a team leader every year on her 3-Day team and I know I can do that with my friends,” said Alexis. “We are the next generation. With what I’ve learned from my experience so far, I know that I will be following in my moms footsteps on the 3-Day for many years.”

Debbi couldn’t be more proud to walk beside her daughter.

“Alexis’ determination and spirit is like nothing I have ever seen,” said Debbi.  “I love that she has taken on this cause and it is something we can share together.”

Alexis and Debbi will be spending this Mother’s Day walking together to prepare for their 3-Day journey together this October. 

For more information or to join Alexis and Debbi on their journey, visit www.the3day.org.