Laurie Whitt had a motto, a philosophy that guided her during her much-too-short life that spanned a mere 47 years: Live, Laugh, Love. But unlike most folks who only give those words lip service, she actually lived it.
Whitt was diagnosed with stage III cancer in 1995 when she was 34, but in spite of that, she had a quick wit, an even quicker smile and a profound zeal for life. She had an army of friends who adored her, and a family – her husband, Mike, and daughters, Ashley and Michelle (now 23 and 18) – that truly loved her.
Throughout her 12-year courageous battle with the disease, she lost and grew her hair three times, endured several courses of chemotherapy, enrolled in several experimental drug studies, experienced heart failure and numerous infections, had debilitating migraines, had numerous surgeries and hospital stays, and that’s just the short list. Yet she soldiered on.
She drove her kids to activities, traveled when she could, and even spoke in Washington DC on issues related to health care. She cooked. She cleaned. She read good books and visited family. She brought her friends to chemotherapy where they watched comedies for the marathon sessions (up to 6 hours) and, according to a journal entry on her Caring Bridge site, was afraid they would get kicked out for “laughing too loud.”
Not only did she continue to live her life, but Whitt also found “living” in helping others. She tackled the laminating projects at Fernbrook Elementary, and in 2001, trying to make lives easier for the teachers, she created a large bag that would be used for carrying project supplies back and forth.
And when Carol Joelson, volunteer coordinator and one of those friends who accompanied Whitt to chemotherapy, asked her how they could repay her for her time and materials, Whitt replied, “You could make a contribution to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.”
Shortly thereafter, Whitt started collecting coins in jars decorated with the instantly recognizable pink ribbons; they donated over $1,000 dollars that first year.
In 2004, Fernbrook’s physical education teachers thought a mini walk/run would be a good way to incorporate exercise with breast cancer awareness; the Fernbrook Walk for the Cure was born.
Laurie created cards, and fostered a relationship with New Balance, which gives Fernbrook 1,000 pairs of shoelaces each year that are sold for pure profit. Whitt sent out packets of information to get the whole Fernbook community involved.
After Whitt passed away on April 28, 2008, her friends within that Fernbrook community picked up the torch and ran with the event she had started. And little by little, year by year, the event grew. The kids now sell buttons, gather pledges and sell shoelaces and cards. To date, the event has raised more than $85,000 dollars.
Each year, students from Fernbrook are invited to the KARE 11 stage at the Mall of America to present a check to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at the Twin Cities Walk for the Cure.
“This event is so ingrained into the culture of Fernbrook Elementary,” Wendy Biallis-Odell, the school’s principal. “It shows our students the importance of joining together and being part of an effort that is outside of their own personal bubble.”
And so on April 25 and 26, almost four years to the day after Whitt’s death, hundreds of children, parents, friends, family, teachers and staff will lace up their sneakers and take to the Fernbrook track. They will walk to continue the legacy of a woman who reminded everyone to live, to laugh, and to love.
One of those enthusiastic walkers will be Michelle Whitt, Laurie’s daughter, who was 3 years old when her mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer and has been at every walk since its inception.
“I will always remember what the staff and all the kids have done to help this cause,” says Michelle, “And I will always thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
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For more information on Fernbrook Walk for the Cure, or to donate, please contact Carol Joelson at JoelsonC@District279.org.
