Telling Journeys: Remembrance Walk

With our guest, Mallory Martinez

Mallory is the daughter of two angels in heaven, a wife to a USMC veteran, and a mama to both. She is a stay-at-home mom to both her kids (Breven 10, Kyra 5), whom she does an amazing job homeschooling. Her kids are not the only ones in school though. Mallory is at Southern New Hampshire University and is about to graduate with a bachelor's degree in business administration. In her spare time her favorite place to visit is the beach and she loves to travel and make new memories with her family.

In 2013 though her life took a tragic turn. Her mother Kyra passed away from a long battle with breast cancer. “My mother’s name was Kyra pronounced like Kira but since no one could say her name correctly she went by Jill. She was nurturing, loving, always happy, career-oriented, a go-getter, and adventurous. Prior to and during her Breast Cancer diagnosis my dad and she had several hobbies together such as owning vintage cars and taking them to car shows, refurbishing vintage travel trailers, and riding moped scooters throughout Arizona. Growing up my mom was always our softball coach and girl scout leader. She was also a part of a women’s sorority and several other fun clubs. She always loved to volunteer and give back, even when she was battling breast cancer. Although my son was only in her life the last year, she was alive, he was her absolute savor and best friend. If I am being 100% honest, he kept her thriving and living the last year of her life.”

It was in 2006 that Mallory’s mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She was 43 years old during her time of diagnosis and Mallory was only 18 years old and a senior in high school. Her first treatments of chemotherapy were very difficult for her. It hit her body hard. She was no longer able to do the chores around the house. At just 18, Mallory took it upon herself to learn how to cook so her family would be eating something other than take-out or cereal since her dad did not know how to cook. Chemo was not where it ended with Kyra though, she tried several different types of treatments over the years. Among these treatments were, radiation, surgeries, different diets, and supplements, but nothing seemed to be able to defeat the cancer in her body.

Kyra first had suspicions of the cancer when she did a self-exam and felt the lump in her breast. It was not until after she received her diagnosis though that she informed the family. Kyra fought the cancer for 8 long years. During this time she did get the wonderful news she and her family had been waiting for. She was cancer free!! “The relief on her face and her entire demeanor changed as if she had won a huge war. Our family celebrated by traveling to Hawaii and living it up by traveling all over Honolulu.” Mallory says.

Their celebration was short lived. Less than one year after being told she beat breast cancer; it had returned and was more aggressive. Her heart sank and despite feeling defeated and tired, she continued to give her all into all the treatments, medicines, diets and more surgeries. Kyra was strong and kept her heartache, pain and exhaustion from those around her. She could not take seeing her loved ones worry over her or those around her feel sorry.

In 2013, Kyra passed away. “I knew I had to do something in her memory, in her honor, and to spread awareness about this awful disease. I had seen several commercials on TV for the Susan G Komen breast cancer 3-day and knew this is what I needed to do. To participate in this way, each participant must raise a minimum of $2,300. The money raised goes towards breast cancer research and goes to helping fund treatments and care for women who cannot afford their cancer treatments. The walk is 3 days long and each day the walkers walk 20 miles. Every 4-5 miles there is a pit stop for walkers to grab snacks, rest, or hydrate.”

It is not the walk itself for the long, endless hours of training that is the hard part, or even the walk itself. For Mallory it is, “the life-changing conversations and the bonds you build with strangers hearing their stories and why they are doing the walk.”

Anyone who can raise the funds is allowed to participate in the walk.

If you are interested in being a part of this amazing and encouraging event, you must not only train for the walk by building up your strength and stamina, but you have to raise a minimum of $2,300. Anyone can participate!

The walks are held in certain locations. Mallory has walked in Arizona and in San Diego, California. Each day of the walk you have a lanyard with a barcode you must wear, and it is scanned at the beginning and at the end of each day. The walk each day is mapped out and so everyone follows each other, sharing stories, making friends and encouraging one another. If you are still interest in helping the cause or doing the walk yourself,you can donate directly to the Susan G Komen Foundation or donate to someone who is doing the walk. If you ever have the chance to do the Susan G Komen breast cancer 3-day walk, do it, “I promise it will change your life even if you do not have anyone battling the awful disease. It will change your life for the better and give you a different outlook on life. It will also help you become a stronger person by enduring things during the walk you have to overcome such as blisters, shin splints, strained muscles, or dehydration.” The walk is not the only wonderful organization that promotes awareness for breast cancer or raises funds. World of Pink Foundation donates bras with breast prosthetics if a woman has gone through a mastectomy. American Cancer society donates wigs to any cancer patient who has lost their hair to cancer.

Mallory found herself on her first walk in Arizona, the same year her mom passed away in 2013. “As soon as the opening ceremony started, I bawled my eyes out and strangers around me gathered around and comforted me. I was able to share my story with so many other walkers and it sparked a fire and passion in my heart. On my first walk I had more than 10 blisters on each foot but no matter how much pain I was in I had to continue because my mom never gave up during her fight against breast cancer.” In 2013 she did her first walk in Arizona. After that, in 2014, 2015, and 2017 she did the walk in San Diego, California. She says that “as much as I love walking it is hard to raise the $2,300, so I have not walked since 2017. If I could walk every year I would because it is such an amazing experience.”

Many of us have a friend or family member that has fought or is currently fighting cancer. Mallory kindly shares a bit of her advice on how to be there for them and how to work through the endless emotions. “Be there for them no matter what, take all the pictures you can, make all the memories you can, and cherish every single minute you have with them. Never give up and live life like every day could be your last. Ask for help even if you do not think you will need it. Create a will and have a power of attorney from the beginning of your diagnosis.”

Mallory stood by her mother and father’s sides during the hardest part of their lives. It was at a time in her life that was supposed to be exciting and thrilling, but she found herself braving the world and entering adulthood in a much more trying way than most. She put on a brave face and did what she could for her family and honored her mother’s memory in an extraordinary way.