SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Thelbertine Pirtle, breast cancer survivor from Union City, Tenn., participates in an “Walk In Her Shoes” breast cancer awareness event hosted by Spangdahlem Middle School, Oct. 29, 2012. Pirtle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and survived it the same year. She is currently a teacher at Spangdahlem Middle School. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Andrew Canon, “Walk In Her Shoes” traffic guard from Blufton, S.C., ensures Vehicle Maintenance Vixens, a group of Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainers, cross the road safely during a breast cancer awareness event Oct. 29, 2012. Spangdahlem Middle School hosted “Walk In Her Shoes” to raise money and awareness. The event involved walking one mile in women's shoes to include heels. The Vehicle Maintenance Vixens raised more than $700. Canon participated in the event as a traffic guard in support of his mother, Anne, who is a breast cancer survivor. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- A sign illustrates breast cancer statistics during an “Walk In Her Shoes” breast cancer awareness event Oct. 29, 2012. Participants read several signs like this that were posted throughout the one mile route. Spangdahlem Middle School hosted the event, which started with a Zumba dance warm-up and included a one mile walk in women’s’ shoes to include high heels. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Dorinda Ray, left, breast cancer survivor from Sequim, Wash., and friend Kelly Caudill from Southport, N.C., walk in the breast cancer awareness event “Walk In Her Shoes” Oct. 29, 2012. Ray celebrated her one year anniversary of surviving breast cancer during event. Caudill walked for both Ray and her neighbor, who is currently undergoing radiation therapy. Both Caudill and Ray are teachers at Spangdahlem Middle School. The event raised more than $1000 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard/Released)
by Senior Airman Natasha Stannard
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
10/31/2012 - SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- The Spangdahlem community raised breast cancer awareness in a unique way as men and women donned their stiletto heels for a one-mile walk during "Walk In Her Shoes" Oct. 29, 2012.
Spangdahlem Middle School hosted the breast cancer awareness walk, during which participants dressed up and wore women's shoes to raise awareness and money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Participants raised more than $1,000 with a bulk of the money coming from the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron "Vehicle Maintenance Vixens" -- a group of men who raised funds by dressing up as women. The more ef'feminately dressed the "Vixens" were, the more money they raised. Some went so far as to wear fishnet stockings and makeup to raise funds.
"We wanted to participate and find a good way to raise money for breast cancer awareness," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Ford, Vehicle Maintenance Vixen from New Orleans. "We just told people the more money you donate, the more makeup and wigs we'll wear."
Ford's crew of Vixens not only raised money, but also put smiles on survivors' faces at the event.
"It's really great to know you have all this support," said survivor Dorinda Ray from Sequim, Wash., who celebrated her one-year anniversary of survival that day. "Last year, the middle school put a team together and walked for me in Frankfurt. It's really a morale booster to know someone walked for you."
Kelly Caudill from Southport, S.C., donned a sash with her friend Frau Heinz's name at this event. Marta Heinz is a survivor who is in the final stages of the treatment process. Caudill said she tries to find ways to cheer up her friend as she's going through treatment. "Walking In Her Shoes" was just another way to put a smile on Heinz's face along with the other survivors.
For more information or to donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation visit http://ww5.komen.org/.
