NATCHEZ — Packing will be easy when Amanda Criswell and Christy Anderson head to Atlanta in a few weeks.

Everything will be pink, and like all ladies, they will pack an extra pair of shoes.

Criswell and Anderson aren’t going to Atlanta to relax though, they will be on their feet and moving for three days as participants in the Breast Cancer 3 Day, a 60-mile walk to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research and education benefiting the Susan G. Koman For the Cure foundation.

Criswell and Anderson’s journey began in January and will come to fruition when they take their first steps on Oct. 23 in Atlanta.

“It really started with a New Year’s resolution,” Anderson said. “Amanda and I wanted to find something to do that would not only be good for us, but would also benefit others.”

With that goal in mind, Criswell hit the Internet and after a couple of months of looking, came across the Cancer 3 Day walk.

Though neither has been directly affected by breast cancer, they both know the horrific and tragic effects cancer can have on an individual and their families.

Anderson’s stepsister is a breast cancer survivor and Criswell’s cousin lost her battle.

As nurses at Natchez Community Hospital, the pair also sees the struggle families face on an almost daily basis.

And they want to do their part to help bring that turmoil to an end.

“For me, I have two daughters, and while breast cancer also affects men, I see this as my way of making (my girls) one less person who has to worry about this disease,” Criswell said.

Anderson said she firmly believes that one day a cure will be found for breast cancer and when that day comes she will be proud to say she was involved.

“The great thing about this is I am part of something that is bigger than me,” she said. “In nursing school, one of my instructors counted off every eighth person and had them stand up. She said ‘This many of the people in this room will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point.’

“Seeing that illustration really stuck with me.”

It is estimated by the American Cancer Society that one in every eight women will develop invasive breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among American women, behind skin cancer.

“We can go out and tell people to put on sunscreen and help prevent skin cancer,” Criswell said. “But with breast cancer there isn’t anything we can tell people to prevent it. We have to focus on finding a cure.”

Criswell and Anderson have set a $5,000 fundraising goal for the event. Of the money raised by all participants, 85 percent will go directly to breast cancer research and the remaining 15 percent is used for education, screening and treatment programs endorsed by Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

“Every major advancement in breast cancer research in the last 25 years was touched by a grant from Susan G. Komen,” Criswell said. “The progress that has been made couldn’t be made without this foundation and there is still a long way to go.”

“Research is expensive, but it is going to take massive amounts of research to find a cure,” Anderson said. “But I know we will get there. That is a big part of my motivation.”

To help Criswell and Anderson reach their goal donations can be made on their Cancer 3 Day Websites, www.the3day.org/goto/amandacriswell or www.the3day.org/goto/christyranderson. They can also accept cash or check donations mailed to Criswellat 111 Rollingwood, Natchez, MS 39120. Checks should be made payable to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.

They are also selling T-shirts for $20 each. Criswell and Anderson will wear T-shirts with memorials to those who have lost their battle with breast cancer and a separate shirt honoring those who are fighting breast cancer.

Names can be added to either of those shirts for a $100 donation.

They are also selling copies of the “Cooking Up Memories” cookbook for $20 each.

For more information on purchasing T-shirts or cookbooks contact Criswell at amandacriswell@me.com. People can also send the pair words of encouragement during the walk by visiting www.the3day.org and clicking on “spectator info” under the get involved tab.

To prepare for the 60-mile trek, Anderson and Criswell have been circling Natchez since May. They started with short two- to four-mile walks but have worked their way up to 14-mile walks.

The training hasn’t been easy though. Criswell said the first time they attempted 12 miles, she wasn’t sure they were going to be able to complete the mileage.

“We went through the first 10 miles fine, but I think the last two miles took us five hours to complete,” she said. “But, you know, when it came time for us to do 14 miles, it didn’t seem so bad because we had already done the 12 miles.”

They aren’t training alone though. After registering for the event, the pair received an online trainer that gave them a detailed training regiment to begin following 24 weeks prior to the walk.

The training also included detailed nutrition information.

“The nutrition side of it has been a little hard to grasp, because it runs counter to what we teach in nutrition,” Anderson said. “It’s all about carb-loading, and we talk about cutting out carbs. But the first time you don’t eat all the (carbohydrates) you feel it.”

The Atlanta Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk is Oct. 23-25. It is one of 15 similar events taking place in locations across the country.

During the walk, Criswell and Anderson will camp in a tent at event-sponsored campsites and shower in a specially equipped 18-wheeler at the campsite.

And that is the part that has the pair worried the most.

“I’m not worried about being able to make the walk because I figure between the two of us we can push each other through that part,” Criswell said. “What I’m concerned about it the camping and the showering in the truck.”

Anderson said the “roughing it” side of the event, will be a change in her daily routine, but she’s OK with that.

“I’m the type of person who gets up every morning and straightens my hair and puts on make-up,” she said. “This will be different, but the greater cause is worth it for sure.”