Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-DayBy Karla Wennerstrom

Eden Prairie resident Jim Russell's statement of support is simple. He and his teammates are "Dudes for Boobs."

The reasons they walk in the Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk are more complex.

Russell lost his sister Jean Stankoski of Eagan in 2006 after she fought breast cancer for 10 years.

Now Russell and a group of local men will be raising funds for breast cancer research. Last year they raised $12,000. This year, his goal has increased 500 percent to $55,000.

They started walking in The 3-Day while Stankoski was still alive and have been walking in the event for four years. That first year, they just wrote the team name in magic marker on their shirts.

"There are a lot of team names that are on the edgier side," he points out, citing names like "Saving Second Base," and "Hiking for Hooters."

He said his sister enjoyed the name.
"She absolutely loved it," he said. "She thought it was just such a cool name for a cool event."
Has anyone questioned the name? "If people didn't understand that it was for raising money for breast cancer, there might be some inappropriateness to it," he admits.
"All we can do is raise money," he said, to fund research, promote early detection and pay for screening. "I can't cure breast cancer, but I can raise money for people who can.
"It goes way beyond my sister," he said.

In addition to adding several members to the Dudes team, one of his goals is to encourage other groups of men to form teams and walk in The 3-Day.

Not to leave anyone out, there's even a Dudes' "Women's Auxiliary." Walkers are set to include Jean's daughters, Erin Sullivan, 19 and Kaitlin Sullivan, 16.

According to event planners 145 male walkers and 65 male crew members participated in last year's Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day.
Of the 60-mile walk, Russell said, "It might seem like a long way, but it is one of the most inspirational and rewarding things you can do."

The focus is on a serious issue, he said, "but it's not three days of people being somber walking around."
"Dudes for Boobs" takes a different approach from the usual warm-and-fuzzy emotional appeal, according to a news release.

To men, he said, "If they're on the fence about walking, but don't want to spend three days with their wife's friends, join our team."
He reminds men that if they have a sister, wife, mother, girlfriend, aunt, etc., they can be affected by breast cancer. In addition, men get breast cancer.

"It's time we take charge and make an impact," Russell said.

PLAN AHEAD
The 60-mile Twin Cities Breast Cancer 3-Day walk is from Sept. 19 to 21. Meals, snacks, beverages, tents, shower facilities and 24-hour medical support are provided for the walkers. For information or to register, visit www.the3day.org.

For more information about Dudes for Boobs, or to join the team, visit www.dudesforboobs.net, or contact Jim Russell at 612-859-0119 or jr@dudesforboobs.net.