When your motto is “Save the Boobs,” it’s going to spark some attention.

At a recent fundraising bake sale, members of the breast cancer walk team Island Girls shouted their slogan across the Island Market parking lot.

“We only yelled it at people we knew,” laughed Adrienne Vierthaler, the one alumni member on this year’s team.

The Island Girls may be low on numbers – the three-member team also includes Mandy Nigretto and Bridget Wright – but they have unflagging enthusiasm for the 60-mile Susan G. Komen 3-day walk in Seattle from Sept. 16-18. Similar events are held throughout the country.

“Everyone talks about how life-changing it is,” said Wright, who is participating for the first time. “I am looking forward to going to a huge gathering of so many men and women with a shared purpose.”

This is the sixth year that Island Girls has represented Orcas during the 3-day walk. As they trek the 60-mile route, the team always carries a banner with the names of people connected to Orcas and diagnosed with breast cancer. The event is intense, with cheering fans on the sidelines, exhausted participants, and a lot of foot injuries.

Before the event, the 3-Day provides participants with a 16- or 24-week training program, which includes a daily exercise regimen. By the time Vierthaler, Nigretto, and Wright are ready for the big journey, they will be walking 18 miles a day on Orcas roads. They usually wear pink, and the women ask that passing motorists honk in support.

The Susan G. Komen movement for breast cancer research and education began when Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan, that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Today, the Susan G. Komen organization is the largest grassroots fundraising network for breast cancer in the world.

Wright’s ex-mother-in-law passed away from the disease and she knows several people currently in treatment.

“It’s been brought to my awareness,” she said. “I’m 38 and a good handful of women in my age range are going through it.”

Vierthaler’s aunt is a survivor and Nigretto’s mom had breast cancer two years ago. She survived and is doing well.

“Early detection is so important,” Nigretto said. “That means yearly mammograms and self-checking.”

Each team member has to raise $2300 to be eligible for the event. The overall fundraising goal of Island Girls is $11,500.

The women have held bake sales, solicited donations from friends and family, and put collection jars at the following business: Melissa’s Salon, Salon Mir Toi, Mandy’s Hair Haven, Orcas Book Exchange, Island Hardware, Country Corner, Village Stop, and Moon Glow Arts and Crafts. There is also artwork for sale by donation at San Juan Insurance. Contributions can made online at www.the3day.org. Go to “donate” and search for the Island Girls team.

There will be a car wash and face painting at Key Bank from 11-4 p.m. on Aug. 13. The team members are hoping to solicit items for a raffle as well – so far they have a cedar bench, Silpada jewelry, and a haircut and color.

“A lot of people make jokes about paying money to walk,” Nigretto said. “But all of the money goes to the foundation.”