3-Day Walk for the Cure

 

Not since Rocky Balboa has one seen so many sequels. This one is called Old Lady Walking.

That’s right – it’s that time of year again – preparing for the 3-Day Walk for the Cure.

• It will be my 9th 3-Day Walk of 60 Miles
• Once more, it takes place in November
• It’s in San Diego, my beloved former home

And, I’m back with my Fight Like A Girl team.

Temporary Tattoo

This blog, my business blog, and my health care blog are all sporting a new temporary tattoo.

It’s a picture of some of my teammates and me that links to my 3-Day Personal Page. There you are welcomed to donate to keep this old lady walking.

• The good news is the amount we need to raise stayed the same
• The bad news is it’s $2,300
• A new twist this year is the whole amount must be raised by the Walk

If not – you cannot participate.

They used to give us a month after the event to finish up fundraising, but not anymore.

So, I am appreciative of anything you can do to help.

Let’s Get Serious

You know I mean business when I stop drinking my wine.

June 1st marked my official wine stoppage until the Walk. I don’t even give up wine for Lent.

But, it’s the least I can do in honor of all the women and men who have been affected by cancer.

• I walk for my sister, Terry, a 10+ year breast cancer survivor
• I walk for my Aunt Mitzi who lost her battle with lung cancer
• I walk for and with my 3 teammates who are breast cancer survivors

And I walk for all those affected by cancer.

The recent announcement of Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts’ latest battle only brings more resolve to once more walk 60 miles in 3 days.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. In the meantime, thank you to all my supporters and contributors. You rock!

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Live…Laugh…Love

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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!