In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering will be teaming up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for a three-day, 60-mile walk through Dallas.

All proceeds from the race will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, the organization responsible for funding breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

Most of the men and women participating have lost a loved one to the disease and are walking in memory of a lost family member or friend.

“I saw ladies walking the 3-Day in my neighborhood about a year ago, which stirred my interest,” Julie Ellis said. “My oldest sister lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 42. I made the decision at that time to walk in the Breast Cancer 3-Day for my sister and her family.”

DeeDee Conway has been actively involved in the Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure, and is expecting a huge turnout for this weekend’s walk.

“As a person who is active and healthy, I can do something to help those that might not otherwise be able to,” Conway, one of the team’s three captains, said. “I walk so no mother, daughter, sister or brother has to endure the pain involved with watching a loved one suffer from this terrible disease. Imagine if one day we could live in a world without breast cancer.”

This year’s team, named the Lyle Engineering Divas, is made up of 10 women, all of whom are staff members within the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering. According to the organization’s Web site, the3day.org, the team’s goal is to “help eliminate breast cancer so no family has to suffer the loss of a loved one.”

Felicia Hopson said she is participating in the walk in memory of her sister-in-law’s mother, Renee Patterson, and her best friend of 18 years, Mary Snowden, both of whom lost their lives to breast cancer.

“The goal of this walk is to meet tons of walkers, both men and women, and hear their wonderful stories of why they are walking and who they are walking for,” Hopson said. “The closing ceremony will be a tear jerker too, honoring all of the breast cancer survivors.”

According to Hopson, there is a $90 registration fee that must be paid by each participant up front, as well as an additional $2,300 to be raised four weeks following the race.

Since announcing their efforts to raise money for breast cancer, the Divas have raised more than $10,000, putting them just $5,000 shy of their $15,000 goal.

Each day, participants will cover between 15-22 miles, spending the night at Breast Cancer 3-Day campsites, complete with two-person sleeping tents. To enter, walkers must be at least 16-years-old and have personal health insurance.

“The race for the cure is a separate but equally awesome event,” Tiana Lightfoot said. “The Susan G. Komen 3-Day means that DFW cares about finding a cure; it cares about people with breast cancer and their families.”

In an effort to help meet their goal, the women have hosted a “Bunco for Boobies” night and a raffle night, all within the Lyle School of Engineering. The Divas also compiled a Hill Cookbook for $10, featuring unique recipes from friends, family and other members of the SMU community.

“While the Susan G. Komen Foundation is the benefactor of all funds raised for this event, the true benefactors are the women and men battling breast cancer every day of their lives,” Conway said. “The funds raised during this event will help with breast cancer research and awareness in the hopes that someday this terrible disease will be wiped off the face of this planet.”

To join the Divas team, or to donate to one of the members, contact DeeDee Conway at [email protected].