Members of her family have battled breast cancer. And now Sgt. Maj. Deitra Floyd wants to do something to help find a cure.
She will join thousands of other people in the Breast Cancer 3 Day, a walk to raise awareness and funds for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust.
"On Oct. 23 rd through 25 th , I will be participating in a three-day walk, for 60 miles, in Atlanta to help find a cure for breast cancer," said Floyd, deputy commandant of the NCO Academy. "I'm trying to solicit donations towards the walk and finding a cure with a goal of $2,300 in donations."
Floyd's inspiration to join in the fight against breast cancer hit close to home.
"I guess what's inspired me to participate in this walk is breast cancer is very prevalent in my family," she said. "My grandmother, mother, sister and cousins have all fought breast cancer. It doesn't skip a generation in our family and someone is always fighting or beating it, or in my sister's case, has passed from breast cancer."
Floyd found a way to help when she saw a television commercial.
"I just kept thinking there's got to be something I can do to help find a cure," she said. "I've seen commercials on TV (about the walk) and thought, I can do that. I know I can do that.' That's what prompted me into looking into the walk and the more I think about it the more excited I get.
"There's those who can't get out there and do this and this is a way I can help them. Being in the Army, I'm physically fit, I can help make a difference," Floyd said. "I see others who are going through (chemotherapy) out walking, trying to make a difference, and I knew this is what I should be doing as well.
"To see some of these walkers who are sick but still out there, it gives me hope and courage. I have to take my hat off to them. This is a challenging walk and they inspire me."
But one of Floyd's major inspirations is her sister, Fredia W. Chambers, who died almost two years ago at age 50.
"My sister and I were very close," Floyd said. "For the last couple of years before she passed, I would spend my weekends with her because she needed assistance. Through thesechallenging times we became even closer. And it's hard, you see her going from being a healthy weight to almost nothing.
"She was 50 when she passed. Fredia was definitely a mentor to me growing up. She was always looking out for people, she would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it. Other kids who were not hers called her Mom' because she was helping and looking after them. She inspired me to do things I wouldn't normally ever do. I tried to follow in her footsteps and mimic her because she really was a good person."
Floyd now has the challenge of raising money and training for the grueling task ahead.
"The first time I attempted to walk at a rapid pace, I realized it was different," she said. "I usually run around six miles every day and now I'm using different muscles during my walking training. I'm averaging 40 to 50 miles a week.
"(A group) of friends have been walking with me to help me train and on one Saturday morning, we starting walking and did 12 miles. For them to get up and (rally around) me and my training is really helping a lot."
It's these friends and her family who Floyd will keep in her thoughts as she walks.
"(While walking the 60 miles in three days) I will be thinking about all the people who have donated money and are counting on me, my friends who have helped me train and who have been there for me, and I'll also be thinking about my family and my sister," she said. "These are the things I'm going to be thinking about and I'll have to keep in my mind that this little bit I'm doing could make a difference, not just in my family, but in other women's families down the road.
"Failure is not an option. I cannot see myself not finishing. I'll have to be hospitalized to not finish. That's how important this journey is for me."
Floyd has some advice for those women who are unaware if they have breast cancer.
"Early detection is the key," she said. "If you know you have a history of breast cancer in your family, you might want to start your mammogram early. Check yourself out and if you find something, go to the doctor."
For more information about making a donation toward Floyd's efforts you can go to www.The3Day.org; and under "Donate," select "search for a participant." You can then enter the name "Deitra Floyd" to make a donation to her efforts. You can also send in a form to donate.
"Any donations would be wonderful," Floyd said. "It all goes to a great cause."
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