Indiana University Athletics
Wittmer to Walk 39 Miles for Breast Cancer Awareness
4/11/2017 4:02:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana volleyball alum Taylor Wittmer will join nearly 2,000 participants, and walk 39 miles on May 6-7, in Washington DC, to raise awareness for breast cancer and help fund programs that support those in need.
Wittmer, who graduated from Indiana in 2011, now lives in Austin, Texas and met Bowdre Fortson, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor. The two became friends and Fortson put a team together for the AVON 39 event, an event that brings together women and men from around the country who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, and unites them under one goal – ending breast cancer.
The cause hit home for Wittmer and she joined the team to raise awareness and funds for the cause.
"Knowing friends and family that have been diagnosed and seeing what they have gone through and the toll it has on their families made me want to get involved," Wittmer said. "Doing anything I can to help and knowing that I'm making a difference and giving back is inspiring."
Wittmer's mother's best friend is a breast cancer survivor and one of Wittmer's best friends and college teammates Mary Chaudoin's mother, Nontie Chaudoin also went through breast cancer.
"I'm excited to walk in honor of them and raise awareness," Wittmer said. "To be proactive and do everything we can to find a cure is important. This is something that affects so many people in our country and worldwide."
Wittmer will depart on her two-day 39-mile journey on May 6 in Washington DC. She has a goal amount to raise $1,800 before then, an amount that everyone who participates in the event commits to raise. Wittmer has raised $720 and has been inspired by those who have reached out to support her in her mission.
The AVON 39 event has been held in seven cities each year since 2003 and has brought together more than 220,000 participants and raised nearly $590 million dollars. The funds raised are distributed to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations.
If you would like to support Taylor and donate to the cause, click here.
Wittmer, who graduated from Indiana in 2011, now lives in Austin, Texas and met Bowdre Fortson, whose mother is a breast cancer survivor. The two became friends and Fortson put a team together for the AVON 39 event, an event that brings together women and men from around the country who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, and unites them under one goal – ending breast cancer.
The cause hit home for Wittmer and she joined the team to raise awareness and funds for the cause.
"Knowing friends and family that have been diagnosed and seeing what they have gone through and the toll it has on their families made me want to get involved," Wittmer said. "Doing anything I can to help and knowing that I'm making a difference and giving back is inspiring."
Wittmer's mother's best friend is a breast cancer survivor and one of Wittmer's best friends and college teammates Mary Chaudoin's mother, Nontie Chaudoin also went through breast cancer.
"I'm excited to walk in honor of them and raise awareness," Wittmer said. "To be proactive and do everything we can to find a cure is important. This is something that affects so many people in our country and worldwide."
Wittmer will depart on her two-day 39-mile journey on May 6 in Washington DC. She has a goal amount to raise $1,800 before then, an amount that everyone who participates in the event commits to raise. Wittmer has raised $720 and has been inspired by those who have reached out to support her in her mission.
The AVON 39 event has been held in seven cities each year since 2003 and has brought together more than 220,000 participants and raised nearly $590 million dollars. The funds raised are distributed to local, regional and national breast cancer organizations.
If you would like to support Taylor and donate to the cause, click here.
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