Ormond woman embarks on 500-mile walk

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Dawn Beltrami helped her sister go through a long journey. A journey through surgeries and chemotherapy to fight breast cancer beginning in 2011.

Now Beltrami, an Ormond Beach Realtor for 18 years, is going to take a journey of her own, a 500-mile walk along the famous El Camino de Santiago in Spain to raise money for Strides Against Breast Cancer. She was set to leave on her trip Sept. 3 and will spend 31 days walking, covering 15 to 20 miles a day.

When her sister, Deana Beltrami Williams, went through treatments, Beltrami would often visit her in Panama City Beach. She saw the toll the treatments took on her sister, and yet realizes that her sister is one of the lucky ones, because she survived, even though she still has quarterly chemo treatments

Beltrami had walked and run 5K events for Strides Against Breast Cancer, but after seeing all her sister went through, she wanted to do more.

“I want to do something significant that will bring attention to Strides Against Breast Cancer, that will get people involved,” she said before leaving on the trip.

Beltrami’s Remax Signature agency made arrangements so she can be away from work for the time she needs. All of the money she raises goes to Strides Against Breast Cancer.

EVERYTHING HELPS

Beltrami emphasizes that any donation amount is helpful, and the website explains what $10 or $25 can do.

“It’s $10 that will change someone’s life,” she said.

Beltrami will wear a T-shirt on the walk with names of people who were stricken with breast cancer and will wear racing bibs with the names of cancer victims. Names were supplied by donors. She also sought corporate sponsors and will dedicate her daily video on her Facebook page to them as a way to say thanks.

The walk begins in the Pyrenees Mountains in France and ends at Galicia, Spain, on Oct. 26, the day of Strides Against Breast Cancer in Volusia and Flagler counties.

A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY

Beltrami has been walking three to five miles a day to prepare, but she’s more of a jogger, running 5Ks and half-marathons in the Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Once on a 5K, she saw a T-shirt that said, “If you think this is hard, try chemo.”

“That makes me push myself past the limits,” she said.

People have walked El Camino de Santiago for 2,000 years. It’s been a religious pilgrimage, leading to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the cathedral Santiago de Compostela.

The 500-mile walk will be a spiritual journey for Beltrami, she said. There are many cathedrals along the way, and she has promised to light candles for friends in remembrance of loved ones.

A friend is going to accompany her on the trip, and they have a guide book that shows stores, hospitals and hospices where they can stay.

“I have no idea what to expect,” she said.

Beltrami recommends that anyone affected by the cancer contact the local office of the American Cancer Society.

To support Beltrami with a donation to Strides Against Breast Cancer, visit www.main.acsevents.org/goto/TeamBeltrami.

Call or text Beltrami at 386-235-4691, email [email protected] or message her at facebook.com/dawn.beltrami.5