AMESBURY — The 60-mile walk over three days brings with it lots of blisters and exhaustion.
But Helen Nadeau has motivation to make the trek each October.
"I don't want my daughters, granddaughters, and everybody I know, to go through the hell I went through 10 years ago," said Nadeau, 52. "There's got to be a cure there somewhere."
The "Breast Cancer 3-Day" benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Nadeau, who's marking the 10th year since she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, has taken part in the program for the last two years.
Walks are held in numerous states — Nadeau and her daughter, Lisa Nadeau, 25, have completed the walks in Massachusetts and California. This year they will travel to Florida.
Walkers complete about 20 miles a day. Each participant must raise $2,200.
Joining Helen Nadeau and her daughter this year will be two friends: Melissa Bernier and Janet Cugini.
Following the walk this October, Nadeau said she and her daughter will continue to take part in the fundraiser but will likely choose to walk only every other year or every third year.
As part of their efforts to raise the contribution to join the walk, the team, "Mass. Chicks," is holding an auction on Saturday at the Lafayette Club from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free.
More than 100 items will be auctioned off, including paintings, New England Patriots tickets, hanging plants, sofa tables, gift certificates and even mulch. A gift card for gasoline will be raffled off.
All proceeds from the auction go to the Komen Foundation. Sam Wilmot will be the auctioneer. Donated sweets from Andyman Bakery and pizza from Sal's will be waiting for attendees.
Nadeau is married to Amesbury building inspector Denis Nadeau and has another daughter, Amie, 28. She also has two grandchildren: Ella, 4, and Ayva, 21/2.
Breast cancer does not run in her family. Nadeau was 42 years old when diagnosed.
"I found a lump, and I pursued it," Nadeau said.
She had four years of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Lahey Clinic.
The walk is something everyone should experience, she said. Dinner is provided each night, and the walkers stay in two-man tents. Lights out is at 9 p.m., but most people are fast asleep by 8 p.m. due to exhaustion.
"It's very moving, very emotional," Nadeau says.
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