Six Pacific Palisades women, calling themselves the Pali Pinks, walked 39 miles in the annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer through Long Beach and Seal Beach neighborhoods on September 12 and 13. The team of Jana Russell, Jill Farwell, Monica Christie Johnson, Liz Jones, Susan Peters and Shawn Silletti (aided by Kelly Dutka) raised more than $27,000 for breast-cancer research.   ’So many of us have known someone who has breast cancer,’ said Russell, the team captain. ‘Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. To be among the 2,000 participants (200 of whom are breast-cancer survivors) who make the walk in memory of family members and friends or for themselves and others still in the fight, is such a moving experience.’   ’This is the first year that all six of us walked together,’ said Farwell, who noted that the group all experienced blisters and sore muscles. ‘Our team captain, Jana, has walked in four previous Avon Walks.’   The women met at St. Matthew’s School, where their children are in the same classes. ‘Many of our donations were from Palisades residents,’ Farwell said. ‘We’re grateful for all the support we received.’   After opening ceremonies at the Queen Mary Events Park, the Pali Pinks started walking at 7 a.m. and covered 26 miles through Long Beach and into neighboring Seal Beach. The following day, the Pinks added an additional 13 miles, ending up back at the park at 3 p.m., where they participated in a closing ceremony.   Shawn Silletti received special recognition for having singlehandedly raised almost $14,00, ranking eighth among the top fundraisers at the event. For her efforts, Silletti attended a special reception that included actor and Avon Foundation for Women Special Ambassador Patrick Dempsey.   The Avon Walk Los Angeles raised more than $4.6 million toward finding a cure for breast cancer.
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