---

Staffer walks for leukemia foundation

---

By Shirley Melikian Armbruster

Georgette Mello never thought of herself as "athletic," but when she decided last August that she wanted to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, she laced up her walking shoes and started training.

The result?

On Jan. 6 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, Mello completed a marathon walk ­ yes, all 26.2 miles of it in 6 hours, 46 minutes ­ and raised $3,300 for the Leukemia Society.

It wasn't easy, said Mello, graduate evaluator in the Division of Graduate Studies. But it was worth the effort.

"I was prepared physically ­ although the last three miles were difficult ­ but I didn't realize there would be a psychological aspect to going that far. But we were encouraged by the crowds, and every once in a while it crosses your mind why you're doing this," she said.

"There were people from all 50 states and other countries participating. Some walked, some ran and some completed the course in wheelchairs," said Mello. About 40 people from Fresno participated.

Mello, whose husband has leukemia in his family history, heard about the annual Leukemia Society marathon fund-raiser and attended an informational meeting last August. Fifteen minutes into the presentation, she said, she was hooked.

Nationwide, the Society's marathon raised more than $9 million.

Mello said she hasn't decided whether she will try another marathon, but she will continue walking for fitness. And she always will treasure the memories of her first marathon.

(For more information about the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society marathon, call Mello at ext. 8-2448 or e-mail her at georgett@csufresno.edu.)

Back to University Journal, 1/21/02 Issue