Long time Death Valley resident and employee, Sharon Funck, began the walk of her life ten years ago to ovecome a fear. Sharon had a fear of sleeping alone in the desert, and she was determined to conquer it. The plan was for her to walk fourteen miles from her home at Furnace Creek Ranch toward Stovepipe Wells, leaving no alternative but to sleep a night alone in the desert. The next day she continued on to civilization and safety at Stovepipe Wells, confirmed in her ability to directly face life's challenges.
Sharon's solitary trek and overnight camp-out became an annual tradition for 8 years. But in 2005, Sharon was too ill to walk, she was fighting cancer, and the treatments made it impossible. Six friends and fellow co-workers went on her behalf. When one person gets cancer, a whole community is affected and must find a way to cope.
By May of 2006 Sharon was cancer-free and ready to make her annual pilgrimage - this time she welcomed and encouraged 19 people to share the journey and it was a success!
That's what the Walk of Life is about - having the courage to overcome fears, whatever they may be, and recoginize the joy found in being alive, every step of the way.

Gayle Phillips

I’m a Survivor!  In 2002 I was the only survivor of an auto accident that took the life of my husband, Danny, our neighbor and good friend, Maria, and the drunk driver that hit us.  In May, 2006 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and began an 8 month regimen of surgery, radiation and chemo treatments.  I finished my treatments in January, 2007 and decided to make the Death Valley Walk for Life.  I chose to make this walk because I could and my friends, whose names we carried through Death Valley on the scroll, could not.  Since the walk, three (3) of those friends have lost their battle with cancer.  I remember the delight that each of them showed when we told them we had walked 26 miles through Death Valley for them!
Death Valley holds a special place in my life.  My husband and I fell in love with Death Valley when we visited with friends to play golf.  Danny retired and we chose to spend the winters at Furnace Creek, working, playing golf and enjoying fellowship with new found friends. I continued to make the winter trek for several years after Danny’s death and since have relocated to New Mexico to help my elderly parents.
I, like Sharon, and all survivors appreciate each day God gives us. And, we make each day count in memory of those that did not survive!

Jacqui Drissel

I remember the call like it was yesterday. "Sis, I need your help -- there is something wrong with mom." He seemed in a panic. I called the attending physician at the Emergency Room and told him of my medical background and asked him to tell me my mother's diagnosis and asked if I needed to come right away. He said, "Yes, you need to come now, do you understand?" Undersand what? I have a medical background but I am not a mind reader. He said, "It is cancer and you have to come now." I have no recollection of anything else until I climbed into my mother's bed with her at the hospital. She had no idea she had cancer. She just wanted to know when she could go bowling again. I said nothing, and neither did anyone else. It was 10 days of silence and tests.
The doctor and his nurse came in and shut the door. My mother said at that point she knew she was dying. It was something I could not tell her. She didn't want to prolong things, but I did. My brother and I asked her to please have chemotherapy and radiation, even though it would not save her. We would not lose her. She agreed for us. The day she asked us to please let her die was one of the hardest days of my life.
When I heard about the Death Valley Walk for Life ("Walk for Cancer", to me) I had to do it. I had 26 miles to ask for forgiveness, apoloize for all the wrongs that I could not make right and tell my mother over and over that I loved and missed her.
In the end, it ended up being my walk for life. Thank you Sharon, for letting me participate.

Barbara Kroenke

The Walk For Life is all about heart. What started as a few friends wanting to do something to show our friend Sharon how much we cared for her and how scared we were that she was fighting cancer, turned in to a chance to help others going through  the same experience. We have bake sales and accept donations to fund the supplies for the walk, and the proceeds are donated to others dealing with cancer. "The Walk" started with mostly locals, and we are thrilled to find out over the last few years how many friends and visitors return to join in and show their support. By the end of the two days, a bond seems to form amongst us and we all share a general feeling that we've made a difference.

Jenny Harder

Cancer is never fun to think or talk about but it is very real and affects so many people very seriously.  The Death Valley Walk for Life is a real way to personally cope and help others know they are not alone in their struggles with cancer or whatever life throws at us.  I enjoy participating in the Death Valley Walk for Life because it is so inspiring.  The place, people, and purpose make me feel small in the grand scheme of things but somehow, in a three million acre park, more connected to everyone involved and a strong spirit that encourages me to overcome my self doubts and insecurities.