Walk For Beauty
Renews Spirits Despite Overcast Skies
by Nancy A. Bock

September 29, 2001

Threatening clouds did not deter a single participant in the 8th annual Walk for Beauty in a Beautiful Place today.

Before the 8 a.m. registration had begun dozens of the hundreds of walkers, who braved the inclement weather, began to gather in front of the Stony Brook Post Office.  The wind was chilly but the gathering crowd had a warmth all its own. (Pictured above: Antoinette Falciano, Lorraine Pace, Angela Jagendorf, Maddy Byer and Maria Gac sell commemorative caps to raise additional funds.

Families walked in honor of a victim or survivor as did teams from companies, streets, schools and community groups.  Many wore tribute signs on their back bearing the name(s) of those they were remembering this day.  They read, Grandma - Mom - Uncle Joe - my sister Bet - Billy - Me! - my wife, Susan and so many more.  

Young dancers from the Stroud Dance Company led the warm-up exercises before the nearly three mile walk through the hills around Stony Brook Village commenced.  So many were anxious to complete the walk before it rained that they didn't wait for the formal program to begin their trek and started out along the course before the others.  But the rain held off and the cool temperatures actually energized the group even more.  

Among the many walkers was a group representing nursing students at Stony Brook University (which is a co-sponsor of the event).  They came as a team, wearing special pink t-shirts donated by an alumni, Cathleen Bergin, an oncology nurse practitioner.  

They came to remember Janet Sullivan, a former faculty member at Stony Brook's School of Nursing.  Sullivan who lost her 9 year battle with breast cancer in 1997 "was more than a teacher; she was a friend," said Gene Murphy.  Her commitment to her students was so strong, he said that she "continued grading papers the night before she went in to the hospital and died" so that students would be able to get their grades on time. 

The team was organized by members of Kappa Gamma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honors society.  Sullivan was a long time member and former president of the group.  

"Breast cancer activists have changed the way research is done in this country," explained Kathy Brathy, a counselor and former colleague of Sullivan's. "Since they have taken a leadership role in this cause it seems natural that Kappa Gamma, which stands for leadership and scholarship in nursing, should also take a leadership role in forming a team to support this cause."

A sea of coral-pink t-shirts could be seen among the hundreds walking this day.  A fine tribute in honor of someone who touched so many and was taken too soon.