Cathy Miller

With my 12th 3-Day Walk for the Cure happening this year, can you blame me for a bit of nostalgia?

For the last few years, I have shared periodic newsletters with my teammates. Our first team (before we even realized we were a team) had four members.

This year we may have as many as 10. We have teammates who walked one 3-Day Walk and others who walked all but one year.

This month’s newsletter shared a historical look-back. I realized some of our team members have never met. I thought I would share a similar history lesson with all of you.

2003 – The year it all started

Susan G. Komen took over the 3-Day Walk from Avon in 2003. There were only three Walks that year – one in San Diego.

Avon veterans, Penny – and sisters, Diane and Sue – came down from northern California to San Diego. On the 2nd day, Penny saw me walking alone and in her usual generous style, Penny asked me to join them.

The rest is history.

I don’t think we took any photos that year. Smartphones were not the toy of the day back then.

2004 – The newbie crewed alone

In the year after my virgin walk, I decided to crew. While Penny, Diane and Sue planned to walk, they were M.I.A.

It wasn’t until after the Walk (and after I recovered Penny’s lost contact info.) that I discovered the reason. Penny was busy kicking breast cancer to the curb.

2005 – ♫ Reunited and it feels so good ♫

Sue, Penny and I were back. Sadly, Diane’s ongoing back problems prevented her from joining us. But her niece, Michelle, strapped on her walking shoes for our San Diego stroll!

2006 – Pregnancy excuse

Sue, Penny and I were back. Michelle used a silly little excuse of a pregnancy not to walk. We were thrilled to add Julie to our growing team.

2007 – Same Team Plus One

Susan G. Komen rolled out a new pink and black logo in 2007. Our team of Penny, Sue, Julie and moi walked again. And another Diane relation, her daughter (and soon-to-be-doctor!), Kristin, joined our team.

2008 – San Francisco Run..er..Walk

We tried a change of scenery from San Diego to San Francisco. The 3-Day reopened the Walk there.

A training injury demoted me to head cheerleader. I did walk on my own later in the same year at the San Diego Walk. San Francisco teammates included Penny, Sue, Diane, and a plethora of newbies – Jana, Jenn, and Martina.

2009 – Arizona

At one time we talked about trying a different city each year. I think Arizona put an end to that thought.

I was unable to walk as Mom was having foot surgery. Our teammates found Arizona too flat. Did I mention most of my teammates are serious hikers? Just how did I get on this team? Arizona teammates included Jana, Sue, Penny, Michelle and Martina.

2010 – The year of the monsoon

Back to sunny San Diego, right? OMG– the 2nd day was a monsoon. We even saw Shamu float by. But at the end of the day, a rainbow appeared. We welcomed newbie (to our team) Abby and Beth – our own personal trainer.

Other teammates included Penny, Sue, Martina, and me.

2011 – Two Walks??

Penny and Sue got this crazy notion to walk both San Francisco and San Diego. I took on head cheerleader role again and Julie joined me as a cheerleader.

Besides Penny and Sue, the sane ladies who walked San Francisco only included Kristin, Diane – and newbies – cousins Lauren (Penny’s daughter) and Jamie.

Our team of Sue, Penny (doing their 2nd Walk of the year), Jenn, Beth, Martina, and I enjoyed sunny San Diego skies once again.

2012 – Penny’s True Colors

Due to a hiking injury (resulting in a broken wrist), Penny took on a different role on our annual Walk. Our team of Beth, Lauren, Martina, Sue and I laughed uproariously when we turned the corner and saw this little floozy.

2013 – 10-year anniversary

Our gracious hostess, Martina, shared her beautiful Lake Tahoe home for a 10-year anniversary reunion. Our 600 Mile Club t-shirts were also Martina’s brainchild and were worn by our 2013 team of Beth, Lauren, Martina, Penny, Sue and me.

2014 – Foot bath heaven

After all these years of walking, we finally discovered the joy of foot baths with epsom salt. How did we not know about this little slice of heaven? We welcomed newbie Holly all the way from Connecticut.

Beth, Jenn, Lauren, Martina, Penny and I joined Holly in a team feet soak. Bliss.

2015 – More Newbies?

We have reports of a few newbies considering this year’s Walk. The more the merrier! Stay tuned for more news about this year’s Walk.

Walk on.

True confessions. I skip over many of the emails with advice for planning for the 3-Day, 60-Mile Walk for the Cure.

As I plan for my team’s 12th anniversary, I think – been there – done that.

It’s easy to take the steps for granted.

• I know what training works for me
• I know what to carry on the Walk
• I know how to fundraise

What I don’t know how to do is stop. There is so much more to do.

I just hung up the phone with a friend I have known for nearly 40 years. Linda has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Cancer is not done yet and neither am I.

Cancer Changes the Script

I’ve shared my story. My sister, Terry, is a breast cancer survivor and the inspiration behind this journey.

Before my sister’s diagnosis, I did not personally know anyone who had breast cancer. Since my first walk in 2003, that part of the story changed.

• In 2003, I met teammate, Sue, a breast cancer survivor, who walked with her sister, Diane, and her friend, Penny
• In 2004, my new-found teammates missed the Walk because Penny had developed breast cancer
• In 2008, Martina, also a breast cancer survivor, joined our team
• In 2015, my friend Linda, who I stay with when I return to my former San Diego home, is diagnosed with breast cancer

Not to mention the countless loved ones of my contributors who have been hit by cancer.

None of this was in the script. This is a Walk for the Cure.

Cancer changes the script. But those of us who participate in the 3-Day event – walkers, crew, volunteers, and most of all – our contributors – share one goal.

Cancer will not change the happy ending of this script – Finding a Cure.

Walk on.

All I can say is – wow.

After 11 3-Day Walks under my feet, you’d think I would be used to the generosity of my contributors.

Yet every year, I am humbled by their generous response.

May Showers

Typically, I start my fundraising in May for the San Diego 3-Day Walk in November. It allows me sufficient time to beg, plead, and grovel to raise the minimum required to participate.

This year I had about $400 already applied. It carried over from last year when I received checks after I met the minimum for the 2014 Walk.

So, I sent out my first fundraising email. Know what happened?

Drumroll please.

My contributors donated over $1,000 in May – so far.

Wow. Simply wow.

Update: Since sending my 1st request on May 1 for donations, my contributors donated $1,530!

Thank You 3-Day Contributors

The following are the lovely people who keep this Old Lady Walking.

• Ada Kersey
• Barb Whitaker-Lewis
• Catherine Botello
• Chad Forester
• Debbie Ressler
• Dianne Wingfield
• Dyann Calder
• Harriet Rotter Bell
• Jacqueline Harris
• Jeffrey Friedli
• Joe & Elaine Conway
• John Kahle
• Judy Craig
• Julie Ewert
• Kathy Slothour
• Kim Lemon
• Laura Wiggins
• LaVerne Richards
• Leigh Steere
• Lori Widmer
• Mitchell Allen
• Nicky Parry
• Randa Forrester
• Rosemary Lopez
• Sharon Hurley Hall
• Sonia Dumas
• Tammy Reed
• Vicky Richards
• Vince Williams

There is still more to raise toward the minimum. If you would like to help, go to my Personal Page or click on the Old Lady Walking in the sidebar.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Walk on.

You would think as I prepare for 3-Day Walk #12, it would be old hat by now. Far from it.

My contributors – some who have been there since my first step in 2003 – never cease to amaze and humble me.

They generously contribute and share their stories of loved ones they lost or those who battle cancer.

And that’s the thing. It is the rare exception when I encounter a person who does not know someone touched by cancer.

When I started this journey, no family members were diagnosed with cancer. Then that changed.

Family First

If you’ve read my story, you know my personal connection to the 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

My sister, Terry, received a diagnosis of breast cancer. Some unexplored connection to the 60-mile walk, coupled with my sister’s diagnosis, was all the motivation I needed to finally participate.

After my first Walk in 2003, I was hooked.

I met teammate, Sue, (a breast cancer survivor) on that first Walk. The following year, another teammate, Penny, was diagnosed with breast cancer. A few years later, Martina, another breast cancer survivor, joined our team. Suddenly, loved ones with cancer surrounded me. For my teammates are family, too.

Around the same time, my beloved Aunt Mitzi, was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Aunt Mitzi

As I write this, today is the eighth anniversary of my aunt’s passing from lung cancer. Her death is such a void.

Aunt Mitzi was the cool aunt. The one you wanted your friends to meet.

Few people lived life with more laughs, love, and generosity. Aunt Mitzi did things like sending Christmas cards through a special post office to get a North Pole stamp. Or one for Valentine’s Day (her favorite holiday).

And when she discovered Halloween was my favorite holiday, she sent a special collection of Halloween witches I still cherish today.

My dad passed in 2007. Aunt Mitzi and my mom were supposed to travel the world together. Cancer was not in the plans.

I took Mom to Maui in May of 2007. My dad’s birthday is May 2 and I knew the first one would be incredibly difficult for her. Aunt Mitzi insisted Mom go and enjoy Maui.

My aunt passed on May 4. If I know my aunt (and I am sure I do), she held on so she would not die on my dad’s birthday. She hung on as long as she could. We had one more day on our trip but we flew home, then on to Chicago for my aunt’s funeral.

Cancer does that. It does not discriminate. It does not care about plans. It touches families and lives.

Is it any wonder I cannot walk away from the 3-Day Walk for the Cure?

Walk on.