To the Editor:

In years gone by, it was common for people to walk to their place of worship.

Faith communities were located in residential areas and people would simply walk to their chosen place of worship.

Today, in the age of modern transportation, most everyone takes the car to get to worship.

Except Eileen. Eileen Fruchtl has been walking to worship.

The interesting part is that Eileen lives 7.5 miles one way from her place of worship.

She is walking to church as part of her training for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk which takes place in Philadelphia Aug. 25-27.

The walk encompasses 60 miles over three days. The training and the walk raise awareness and funding for breast cancer research.

Donations made to this event go to research programs, community health and advocacy, global partnerships and well as a more local component that focuses on screening, diagnosis and treatment, patient navigation services and education.

This is a very personal cause for Eileen, as two of her sisters and her niece are currently fighting this disease.

“Breast cancer statistics show that 12 percent of women will get breast cancer,” Fruchtl said.

“My family has been hit much harder but we don’t have the genetic links.

“There is so much more that we need to learn through research and who knows, the things we learn might prevent or cure other cancers.”

Eileen’s goal is to raise $3,000 and she is already on the way to achieving that goal. Through her training and advocacy, she is hoping to make a difference in a fight that is very personal for her and her family. She will keep training and keep preparing.

Oh, and when church is over, she walks home.

To help support the fight against breast cancer and Eileen’s journey, visit the3day.org/goto/2017_Fruchtl.

Kevin Fruchtl

New Tripoli