Cathy Miller

 

This is not about taking a stand in the ongoing battle of Susan G. Komen versus Planned Parenthood.

This is about the overwhelming sadness of a meaning lost.

As an 8-time walker in the 3-Day Walk for the Cure, the conflict leaves me aching. For me, the 3-Day Walk is bigger than money or politics.

It is about…

Challenging yourself to achieve something you never dreamed possible.

Demonstrating your support to your sister, your aunt, your loved ones and all those affected by cancer in the most visible way you know how.

Sharing the experience with others who are hurting, healing and reaching out. Developing friendships from those who extend a hand to become your teammates, who help pick you up when your spirit is lagging and who embrace you when all seems lost.

Providing hope to a pink-wigged crew member thanking a field of walkers as she tells us her cancer has metastasized and you understand she is but one symbol of why you walk 60 miles in 3 days.

Loss when that crew member is no longer there or another person has lost their battle against cancer.

Recognition that this is bigger than all of us. Certainly bigger than money or politics.

Thank you for allowing me to share a small part of my grief. Some will assume I support this side or that, but this post is not about this side or that or placing blame.

It’s about a meaning lost. And that makes me very sad.

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Live…Laugh…Love

BigStock Photo Credit 

 

 

You might think after eight 3-Day Walks for the Cure, there would be little that is new.

In some ways, that’s true.

• The San Diego community is still unbelievably supportive
• My Fight Like A Girl team still rocks
• There’s always a lesson learned

This year’s theme for me was – you are not alone.

More Than Numbers

Not being alone goes beyond numbers.

• It’s more than the 3,700 walkers at the 2011 San Diego Walk
• It’s more than the 575 volunteers and crew
• It’s even more than the $9.2 million raised for breast cancer research and programs

It’s about sharing a promise.

Sharing a Promise

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure began as a promise between sisters.

Nancy Brinker’s sister, Suzy, developed breast cancer during an era when you did not talk about the disease. Women diagnosed with breast cancer did not know a lot about it.

Suzy urged her sister to help do something about breast cancer – to speed up research. And Suzy said after she got better, she would fix up the ugly waiting rooms where patients waited on treatment.

Suzy did not get better and lost her battle with cancer.

Nancy discovered how much of a difference one person can make.

Pay It Forward

When my sister developed breast cancer, at first, she didn’t tell us. She did not want to worry us.

I understood Nancy Brinker’s frustration and feeling of helplessness to make things better. I didn’t stop the disease from affecting my family, but I could do something to speed up research.

Walk 60 miles – I can do that.

• I made a silent promise to my sister, Terry
• She would not be alone in her fight
• Today, Terry is an 11+ years survivor

2011 San Diego 3-Day Walk

My Fight Like A Girl team had 6 walkers in San Diego this year.

Our walk was like a microcosm of what this event is all about.

• One of our teammates had to fly home early for a family emergency
• Another team member flew home with her
• A third team member became ill throughout the Walk on Day 3
• Another team member stayed by her side into the early morning hours
• At closing, the remaining two members walked arm-in-arm

You are not alone.

That’s our message to anyone and their family who battle cancer or any of life’s challenges.

You are not alone.

The Lighter Side

Here is a short pictorial of some of the 2011 San Diego 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

Please forgive my morning allergy sounds at the end. If I were better at it, I would have edited that out.

It’s particularly funny since the back of this year’s team shirt held the saying –

“No sniveling.”

Enjoy the pictures – walk on!

It is a little over two weeks before my 8th 3-Day, 60 Mile Walk for the Cure.

I started training in June – hey, these old muscles need waking up. I went from walking along the ocean in San Diego when I lived there to actual seasons and rural areas of Idaho.

This short video gives you a snapshot of my 2011 training.

 Training in Idaho

Thank You

It was another tough year raising the $2,300 minimum that we need to walk. But, thanks to great contributors, we did it! You can still donate if you’d like by clicking here or at the Donate button in the sidebar.

To those who contributed – thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you for allowing me to Walk on!

• Aaron Davis
• Abby Widman
• Barb Whitaker Lewis
• Beth Taylor
• Blue Shield of California – company gift match via Preddis Sullivan
• Bruce Cutting
• Carol McCaffery
• Debbie Ressler
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Dorothy Parsons
• Dyann Bartus Calder
• Frank Ruiz
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Heather Woodruff
• Jacqui Murray
• Jan Shapard
• Jenette Ruz
• Jennifer Mattern
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• Judy Craig
• Julie Ewert
• Kathy Slothour
• Kevin P. Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Margie Miller
• Marsha Lindbeck
• Mitchell Allen
• Nicky Parry
• Preddis Sullivan
• Rachel Marturello
• Ramiro Rodriguez
• Rita Wiggins
• Rosemary Lopez
• Suzanne Whitlock
• Tammy Reed
• Terri Parsons

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Live…Laugh…Love

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iStock audio credit

I have never been much of a fan of Pink. Not the singer – love her – the color Pink.

You might find that surprising, given my passion for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

• If it wasn’t for the event, you’d rarely see me in pink
• Too girly-girl – I almost smacked a guy who tried to sell me a pink laptop
• So it’s breast cancer awareness’ fault that I break with tradition

The sacrifices I make for the cause.

Pink Madness

October is breast cancer awareness month. I am not the only one who goes totally pink insane.

It seems like every product out there suddenly springs a pink theme in October.

• Retailers selling Uggs with embroidered pink ribbons
• Yogurt containers with pink lids
• Loaves of bread decked out in pink
• Pink safety pins

I am not kidding. What’s more pathetic is I bought the safety pins.

• Hey, I used them to pin the names of those we are honoring on the Walk
• See – an absolute necessity
• I admit it
• This time of the year, I’m a sucker for Breast Cancer Awareness memorabilia

It is a bit maddening when you know, despite the labeling, they are not making a donation to the cause. Ah, capitalism.

Pink Power

If you want to know the true power of pink, get involved with one of the events.

• Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure
• Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
• Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

You don’t need to run or walk. You can volunteer or support  research through donations.

I started my journey in 2003 with the intent of giving it a try one time. I am still walking today.

I cannot walk away.

And for that I will proudly wear pink.

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Live…Laugh…Love

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I still need a minimum of $645 to walk in my 8th 3-Day Walk. I only have one full month to raise it  – how appropriate it’s October – Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Please donate here or click on the Donate button in the right sidebar.

Thank you for your support!

As many of you know, I am participating in my 8th Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

I walk in the last of the 3-Day events that has taken place in November in San Diego for the last few years. Each year at this time, there are some sure signs that the event is getting close.

#1 – Pronounced Increase in Groveling

BigStock Photo Credit

We have to raise a minimum of $2,300 to be eligible to walk in the 3-Day, 60 Mile Walk.

• Yes, people actually pay to walk 60 miles (we have a registration fee on top of fundraising)
• Yes, a lot of people (30, so far) pay to see ME walk 60 miles
• Yes, my sanity has been questioned on more than one occasion

I know it is getting close to the event by my level of groveling. I show absolutely no pride when I beg, plead and whine for a donation – any size donation – to raise the minimum.

There’s a little more than a month to go and at this point, I need to raise $665 more.

I started out with a bang with an unintended $60 for 60 miles for this soon-to-be 60-year-old. Apparently, that theme got old quickly – even older than me.

So, I have no other recourse – I am groveling.

Donate here or at the donation button in the right sidebar. Thank you!

#2 – I Blew Out my MBTs

It’s not easy blowing out MBT walking sandals.

But, I did it.

I walked so many training miles, the rubber has definitely left the road.

I ordered a new pair of sandals. These are a new kind that I hope work just as well – Abeo sandals from the Walking Company.

They look very similar to my first pair of MBTs that I loved, which MBT discontinued – how rude.

#3 – The Windbreaker is Out of the Closet (so to speak)

The long-sleeved 3-Day shirts (and I have a lot of them) no longer cut it against the chilly morning training walks.

I had to bring out the big guns – the 3-Day windbreaker.

You don’t think I’m overdoing this whole 3-Day outerwear theme, do you? No? I didn’t think so.

Thank You to My Contributors

Thank you to all my generous contributors. I could not do this Walk without you. No, really – I could not do the Walk without the donations.

Thank you for allowing me to Walk on!

• Aaron Davis
• Beth Taylor
• Blue Shield of California – company gift match via Preddis Sullivan
• Carol McCaffery
• Debbie Ressler
• Dianne & Steve Wingfield
• Dorothy Parsons
• Dyann Bartus Calder
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Heather Woodruff
• Jennifer Mattern
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• Julie Ewert
• Kevin P. Miller
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• Linda Barney
• Lori Widmer
• Margie Miller
• Nicky Parry
• Preddis Sullivan
• Rachel Marturello
• Ramiro Rodriguez
• Rita Wiggins
• Suzanne Whitlock
• Tammy Reed
• Terri Parsons