75-year-old man plans to walk 720 miles to fight breast cancer
Published: April 27, 2007
Moved into action by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, George Nummer signed up for his first breast cancer walk at age 70.
Now 75, the ambitious Clawson resident plans to take part in all 12 Breast Cancer 3-Day walks this year, criss-crossing the nation and hoofing it across 720 miles.
“My life has so very much more meaning now than it did before I started doing the walks. The main reason I’m doing all 12, 60-mile walks this year is because I want to get the attention of not only women, but also of men,” Nummer said. “If I can raise awareness enough to save just one life, then it is worth the little pain I suffer doing the walks, which is nothing compared to the suffering a breast cancer survivor goes through.”
The first breast cancer walk Nummer joined was sponsored by Avon in 2002. There wasn’t another breast cancer support walk in Detroit until 2004, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation held a 3-Day here. Since then, he’s been in five other walks and trains new walkers.
“The people you walk with, you experience their stories,” he said. “The time really goes fast when you’re walking. It’s a great support group.”
Nummer retired in 2001 after working as an electrician for 30 years. He said a speech by President George W. Bush after 9/11 inspired him to help others throughout the country, which he decided to do by raising money to fight breast cancer.
After joining the walks, he started taking on electrician jobs to raise money for the walks. Everything he makes, he said, he puts toward the $2,200 he has to raise for each walk.
This year, he’ll need $26,400 (he has $5,000 so far) for the 12 walks, which take place from August to November in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle, Michigan, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Dallas, Arizona and San Diego. The Breast Cancer 3-Day walks benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which funds research and community outreach programs, and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure has invested almost $1 billion to fight breast cancer worldwide. More than 200,000 women and men are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and more than 40,000 will die as a result of breast cancer, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
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