Friends Come Together to Celebrate and Walk

Marietta residents Lee Oesterling and Georgette Robertson speak about their individual battles with breast cancer and how the Atlanta 2-Day lets them celebrate their friendship.

By: Michelle Berman

In February 2010, after finding a lump during a self exam, Georgette was diagnosed with breast cancer. She received a lumpectomy, a double mastectomy, and chemotherapy. Now 2 years cancer free, Georgette is more ready than ever to celebrate and walk in the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.

In March 2011, Lee found a lump while performing a self exam. Lee went to the doctor and got a mammogram. They didn’t think it was anything until she was called back for a second mammogram. Then, a biopsy in April confirmed that Lee had breast cancer. At the end of May, Lee underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction. During surgery, more tissue was removed on Lee’s right side, which led to radiation for 5 days a week. Finally, in September 2011, Lee was cancer free.

Georgette first heard about the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer while going through treatments in the Pink Program at Piedmont Hospital. She participated and watched her friends walk for the first time in 2010. Once Lee had won her fight, Georgette told her about her experience and asked Lee if she would like to join her team. They recruited some other friends and the Ta-Ta-Ritas were born! Lee and Georgette both walked for the first time last year.

Individuals or teams can participate in the Atlanta 2-Day Walk, which covers 30 miles over two days, with each walker responsible for raising $1,000.

What Georgette and Lee love most about their team is that “we have reached out to many of our breast cancer friends and hope to have 8 to 10 survivors on our team this year.” For fundraisers, the Ta-Ta-Ritas have an annual Christmas party, called Pink Christmas. “Instead of bringing a hostess gift, we ask everyone to donate to the 2-Day,” says Lee. Georgette adds, “We have raised $2,000 toward our goal.”

Celebrating ten years this October, The Atlanta 2-Day Walk has generated more than $8 million for 169 grants to breast health programs throughout Georgia that provide screening and diagnosis, treatment education, and support services.  The endurance walk is produced by It’s The Journey, a local organization which is proud to state that all of the money raised here, stays here in Georgia.

Georgette describes the 2-Day Walk as “a great event. It’s a great time with your girlfriends for a great cause.” Lee adds, “I get to walk and talk to my friends for two whole days. I can’t wait to do it again!”

For more information about sponsorship, becoming a walker or making a donation to the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, visit www.2daywalk.org, email info@2daywalk.org, or call (404) 531-4111.