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64 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, August 27, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 7, 2004 Teen beats feet for a good cause By ANITA BURKE Mail Tribune School doesn’t start for another month, but South Medford High School senior Crystal Walsh already has her senior project well under way. She’s walking from Medford to Portland to raise money for Rogue Valley Medical Center’s Dubs Cancer Center. Walsh and her boyfriend, Aaron Benson, set out on the trip Monday at 6 a.m. with Walsh’s dad, John, tailing them in a car packed with supplies. "That first day they were pretty wiped out," John Walsh said. The weary pair headed straight for the pool when they arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Grants Pass about 1:15 p.m., he said. Advertisement Crystal Walsh works at Holiday Inn and gets employee discounts that help keep her trip affordable. She also is camping some nights to save money. She is paying her travel expenses so all money raised will go to the cancer center. Walsh had raised more than $3,000 before she started walking and donations continue to come in — a dollar from a woman in Winchester, $5 from a family that stopped on the freeway. John Walsh waits at the roadside, keeping the walkers safely in view as motorists often stop to offer the teens a ride. When drivers learn about the project, they usually offer good wishes and continue on. Tuesday, the teens traveled from Grants Pass to Glendale. Wednesday they went on to Roseburg and Thursday took them to Sutherlin. On Friday they reached Curtin. They walk from about 6 a.m. until 1 or 2 p.m. daily. "They’re making good progress," John Walsh said. The first few days offered hot hiking, but north of Glendale, the temperatures cooled. Light showers kept things comfortable Friday, Walsh said. A leg problem has put Benson in the car part of each day’s journey, but Crystal has walked the whole way, suffering only a few blisters. Epsom salts, hydrocortisone cream and bandages are keeping her on her feet, dad said. John Walsh has to return to work at Hubbard’s Ace Hardware next week. A friend from New Song Community Church in Phoenix will take over driving duties Monday and Tuesday, then Crystal’s mom, Sharon Walsh, will finish up the trip. They expect to reach Portland Thursday. "I’d like to be there on the last day," John Walsh said. Reach reporter Anita Burke at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities