For the next three days, four women who have collectively raised more than $35,000 will traipse 60 miles with a clear goal — to raise awareness about Breast Cancer.

It's a very personal ambition for Vicky King, Mi DeSilva, Hilary Shaw and Jan Hollis who left Bermuda today for the three-day Susan G Komen benefit walk in Boston, Massachusetts.

'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' is a global breast cancer movement that is fighting to save lives, empower people and ensure quality care while energising science to find the cures.

It was started by Susan G. Komen's sister, Nancy G. Brinker, in 1982 after a promise she made to her dying sister.

Today marks the one year anniversary since walker Mrs. King had her breast cancer removed and she started her six weeks of radiation treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

It has also been ten years since Mrs. DeSilva's sister, Gail, died from breast cancer. For both women the place and timing was what persuaded them, and for Mrs. Shaw it was about support.

Mrs. DeSilva said: "I decided on Boston because Gail was treated in Boston and September 18 will be ten years since she died.

"I wanted to mark the anniversary with something special."

Special is definitely something she achieved as the birthing doula managed to raise more than $19,000 — more money then any other individual who is walking in Boston.

The three other women were no slackers themselves. Mrs. King raised more than $8,000 and Mrs. Swan raised more than $6,000.

Mrs. King said she thought Ms Hollis had also raised close to $3,000 for the event, but unfortunately Ms Hollis was unable to speak to the paper before leaving for the three-day walk in Boston.

Starting at 6.30 a.m. on Friday morning, the women will begin the first day of the 60-mile trek from outside Boston and each day will camp in a designated area.

For her fundraising skills, Mrs. DeSilva will be given a deluxe tent with a queen blow-up mattress and other amenities.

The three-day mission of raising awareness and money for the worthy cause will finish at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday with the closing ceremony in Boston.

For Mrs. King, who is a travel agent at C-Travel, the three-day event will also be a chance for her to raise awareness of the disease.

She said: "I think the experience will be amazing; lots of tears and lots of laughing. I want to make women aware that there's life after breast cancer.

"I just want them to be more aware of their health and be in charge of it. Early detection is key as I found mine in a yearly mammogram last June.

"I am 63, but I am back and walking 60 miles, which was on my bucket list."

Mrs. Shaw, who is a homeschool teacher for her two little girls, said it was important enough for her to miss her own sister's 50th birthday in Spain to be there to support Mi.

She said: "I have known Mi for a long time since moving here almost 22 years ago. When I came here her children were little. I saw her go through it with her sister.

"We have had different lives but we have always been friends. I have a sister and for her 50th birthday this year she told me to do this with Mi because Mi has lost her sister and she still has me."

Anyone interested in helping these women with their donations can visit the website www.the3day.org and contribute on the supporter's information webpage.