Dozens of Bay Area people came into San Quentin on July 18 and 19 to walk laps in support of the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
The two-day event drew about 150 inmates and 50 free people each day. The first lap was walked in silence as inmates mingled with local volunteers, representatives from Avon and prison staffers.
Six years ago, the inmate organizers created San Quentin CARES to show that inmates doing time still have the capacity to raise money for organizations in need.
“We are honored to be able to help with this cause,” said inmate Troy Williams. “It makes the men in blue feel like they’re still a part of the community.”
According to Chief Medical Officer Elaine Tootell, the event raised about $5,300 from people outside and nearly $2,000 from the inmates. “I know that $2,000 is a lot of money for inmates. I was impressed that you gave so much, when you have so little,” Tootell told the walkers.
“To put on an event like this, you have to have a lot of patience in order to get through the obstacles,” inmate Stephen Pascascio said. “We couldn’t have done it without the administration helping us. Also the men in blue worked hard doing all the leg work. Inmates Michael Nelson, Sam Johnson, Billy Allen, Clinton Martin and the guys put in a lot of time to this worthy cause. A lot of the guys here are walking for their mothers, daughters, sisters and loved ones who’ve been affected by breast cancer. It’s amazing to me, seeing the guys work together.”
Jill Friedman has been volunteering inside San Quentin for 15 years. She said about six and a half years ago she started volunteering with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.
“I was honored that I was asked to help with the Avon walk,” Friedman said. “I want more people on the outside to know what’s happening in here. One of the things about us as human beings is that all of us have more in common than what we have different.”
Inmate organizer Clinton Martin, 41, said this was his fourth walk. “I think for me what stands out is that this year was more organized. It went off without a hitch. This is the first one with no [security] alarms. It was good to see the level of respect from the San Quentin community.
Martin added, “I lost my grandmother, great-aunt and aunt to breast cancer. That was my driving force for wanting to belong to this committee. It is an honor to cherish their lives by walking and by organizing this event. Today is about giving back to my community and trying with every fiber in my being to make amends to the harm that I’ve caused. I firmly believe that I’ll be putting pennies in the jar for the rest of my life.”
Volunteer Rachel Bailey said that her grandmother passed away from cancer three years ago. “My grandmother came in for a San Quentin walk. For the last three months of her life, she just talked about how much you guys affected her,” Bailey said.
While the event was underway, a basketball game was being played between an outside Christian team and one of the inmate teams. All the players joined the walkers.
“For halftime, we decided to walk one lap for breast cancer awareness,” said inmate Derek Loud. “Then we’ll finish the game.”
Why Inmates Say They Donate and Walk:
Julio “Huggie” Davis, 49: I’m doing this for my mother. She passed from breast cancer in 2008. When I first caught this life sentence, I told my mother about it. The last time I saw her was before I left the county jail. Then I was transferred to High Desert State Prison where we stayed on lockdown. I was able to make it to San Quentin in 2006. But my mother had cancer and was too sick to come see me. I always had these dreams about my mother. I would try to get home to her through my dreams. Every night I’d have these dreams, but I couldn’t actually get there. But the day I got the call that my mother passed, I finally got home in my dream. I got there to hug my mother.
Ricky “Malik” Harris, 42: I’d like to recognize a very close family friend, Alex Perkins, who succumbed to cancer, and my father who is battling lung cancer. I just wanted to honor them.
Johnny Willis, 42: I donated because my mother, Wanda Willis, died of cancer, and my wife, Maynette Willis, is a cancer survivor.
Anthony Thomas, 40: I’m on my 13th lap. Before the end of the walk, I want to put in 200. I’m walking to show faith and to give others insight to why we need to cure breast cancer.
Nicola Bucci, 41: My grandmother survived cancer in 1952. She was born 1910 and died 2008.
Inmate Berry, 34: I’m walking for my fiancée, Felie.
Martin Walters, 46: I’m walking for my sister, Michelle, who survived breast cancer, and my mom, who is a survivor of cancer also.
Robert Morales, 44: My mother passed away from lung cancer. So, in remembrance of my mother and people who suffer from it, I support them.
Alberto Mendez, 59: I have a mom and I have daughters. Plus, I consider the most amazing human being is the woman. I support the cause. One day we will find a cure for this horrible disease.
Frankie Smith, 58, said that he was diagnosed twice with cancer in 2006 and 2011. “I support the Avon walk so that people become aware that screening is important. Cancer is not a death sentence. I’m a living witness to the fact it can be beaten.”
Danny Chaviarria, 58: I have a wife, daughters and granddaughters out there. I support them. It’s the right thing to do.
James Parker, 52: I’m walking for my mother, my aunt, my mother-in-law and my ex-wife. My mom, aunt, mother-in-law have passed from cancer, and my ex-wife is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Sam Johnson, 57: Dad died of cancer in 1986. I never saw my father sick. My dad went for 264 pounds to 74 pounds. That’s why I do what I do, to bring awareness to cancer.
James Metters, 43: In 2013 I lost my aunt to liver cancer. I was very close to her. This year, I lost my uncle to liver cancer as well. I feel bad that it took me losing people in my family in order to understand that the Avon walk for a cure of breast cancer needed my support. I will continue supporting the cancer walk every year and even after I am released from prison.
