Memorial Run a Way for Talbot Family to Help Others Fight Breast Cancer

It all started 23 years ago when Stacy (Talbot) Bazylinski's and Julie (Talbot) Donnelly's mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Stacy was 12 and Julie was just 10.

It was just three years ago now that Lynda J. Talbot of Danvers succumbed to her long battle with cancer at age 61.

As a way to remember their mother and contribute to the ongoing fight against breast cancer so many other women face, the sisters established an annual charitable walk/run, which is now in its third year.

The third annual Lynda J. Talbot Memorial 5K Walk/Run to benefit breast cancer research is coming up Oct. 19 at the Danvers YMCA (11 a.m.).

“Last year we had over 550 people come out and walk in our mom’s name,” says Stacy. “We are so thankful to all the people who have joined us the last few years and we look forward to seeing new faces this year.”

“Unfortunately, our family’s story is not the only story of this kind. Most of us know or have known someone close to us who has fought or is fighting this same battle. We had to do something after we watched the disease aggressively deteriorate our mother,” she says.

Lynda was diagnosed four times -- each several years apart -- with the last procedure a month before she died, revealing a BRCA 2 genetic mutation that predisposed her to the cancer.

“Our family lived in fear of this disease all our lives and our worst nightmare finally came true,” says Julie. “Every doctor appointment, every mammogram, every blood test, etc. took on a whole new meaning for us. We had to do something to help others and this event has allowed us to do that every year.”

Donations from last year's event went toward the Beth Israel Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fund, ArtBecause, the Danvers YMCA and scholarships for two Danvers High School graduates.

Those involved in organizing the event, along with their family and Lynda's husband Bruce, are Kristen Haibon Clark, Dena DeLuca Chase, Kathy Gardner, Dani Gianino Baldassare, Kristen Cullen, Keri Smith Demers, Allison Jansky Eaton, Jani Haibon Wilichoski, Lauren Jalbert Burke, Natasha Romsavich Coyne, Jennifer Mahoney Chase and Michelle Frasier Dustin.

You can find more details on this year's walk/run here. The entry fee is $30.