Men do walk for mothers with cancer

COLUMBUS -- Two Friends, two cancer-surviving moms, one walk.

Kelly Krings and Ben Herink, boyhood friends, are walking in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Colorado June 28-29 to help fight the disease both of their mothers have battled.

Krings, of Omaha and formerly of Columbus, grew up in Leigh with Herink, and both want to do what they can to fight the disease that has had a profound impact on their lives.

“Going back five or six years, I wanted to do a charity that had something to do with cancer,” Krings said. “I’ve been so close to it myself.”

Krings’s mother, Connie Dittberner, and Herink’s mother, Chris, were both diagnosed with breast cancer -- Connie in 2000 and Chris in 2001.

Connie’s battle lasted two years, and she is now a five-year cancer survivor.

She and her husband, John, are training for the walk through the Colorado mountains.

“Oh my God this is awesome,” Connie said about the walk. “Kelly always wanted to do something. I hope we can raise some money and make a difference.”

Krings has formed the Nebraska Hope team, with a goal of raising $10,000.

“We’re not ever going to beat cancer just thinking about it,” Herink said. “We can hope and pray and continue to raise awareness.”

Krings writes on the Avon Foundation Web site: “I am determined to walk 40 miles in honor of those people who fight this disease every day knowing that my walk and your donation will not only raise money, but it will raise awareness about this issue.”

Anyone, regardless of where they live can walk with the Nebraska Hope team or make a donation. The team also can walk in honor of someone the donor specifies

“If you have someone who you would like to honor let me know their name as I will included it on our T-shirts during the walk,” Krings said.

Each participants will be walking 40 miles.

“Any donation, $10, $20, or $100, and any auction items will help us achieve our goals. You can donate by check, credit or debit. The donations are tax deductible,” Krings said.

On top of the walk, Krings and Herink are sponsoring charity auction and benefit May 30 at Whiskey Creek in Madison and a three-man scramble May 31 at Club 91 in Leigh.

Anyone with questions or wishing to walk can contact Krings at (402) 276-2213 or Herink at (402) 416-9096 or contact them by e-mailing kkrings1213@yahoo.

According to its Web site, The Avon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, was founded in 1955 to improve the lives of women and their families, and Avon philanthropic programs worldwide have raised and awarded more than $500 million. The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade was launched in 1992. Funding is awarded to beneficiaries ranging from leading cancer centers to community-based breast health programs for awareness and education; screening and diagnosis; access to treatment; support services; and scientific research. For more information visit www.avonwalk.