Monday, October 30, 2006

JM's Story




I wasn't really sure how the day would turn out, but I had made a promise to two of my best friends and I knew that I was going to give it my best no matter what. I really wondered about my sanity as the alarm went off at 3:30 that morning, but I showered, packed up, grabbed the dog and a bag of dog treats, remembered the blanket and took a book just in case. I was about to go to the Avon Walk to cheer on my friends as they walked 39 miles for the great cause of breast cancer awareness.

I arrived in the dark of morning, and knew immediately I had made the right choice when I saw Val and Joel in the early gloom in the parking lot. Val looked great, ready to walk, and Joel was already busy with his crew duties. I signed up, grabbed my cool blue t-shirt that said VOLUNTEER, and quickly helped with the breakfast duties. I found that there were so many volunteers I didn't have much to do before I was done. Susan and Sean materialized, and the little walking team was in place.

I drank coffee and watched as all the walkers gathered. It was one of the most amazing things, to stand there in the early morning grass and see all of these people accumulate with one purpose in mind. To walk 39 miles in the space of two days.

I said good-bye and good luck to Val, Susan and Sean. With my pom-poms, I stood in line with some other volunteers and we formed a cheering section as the group headed off. The motorcycle brigade fired up their bikes as the walk started, and I was astounded that the sound made tears well up in my eyes.

After cheering the starting line, I ran back to my car where the dog was waiting patiently. We drove along the route to a cheering station. I stood there and waved and cheered as walkers passed by, and I looked excitedly for the team I knew. Sure enough, here they came. Butch the dog and I cheered and smiled, and after they passed, dashed to the car for the next cheering station. I did this all day, never tiring of the game. Chase the walkers! Cheer them on!

The day got warm and long for me - I can only imagine how the walkers felt. But not once did my heart stop feeling for everyone involved in this huge event. Not once was I bored or wishing I was doing something else. This was a day for the books - top five for sure!

At the finish line that evening, it was especially emotional as I watched the walkers climb the last long hill. Many looked exhausted but every single one of them had a smile to some degree and that amazing sense of accomplishment.

I did not stay for the evening ceremonies and so missed the Great Rain Storm, but I was back the next morning with my dog and my cheering voice. I chased the walkers, and some by now knew the dog and always stopped to say "hi" as they passed by and give him a quick pet.

At the finish line that afternoon, things were, amazingly, even more emotional than the day before. This was the Big Finish with all the pomp and circumstance it deserved. To see all the pink t-shirts of the walkers there at the end was like a sea of pink. Absolutely beautiful.

No, I did not walk.
No, I did not crew.
Yes, I volunteered.
Yes, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

And yes, I will be back to volunteer next year. Back to chase the walkers and cheer them on, to run about the city and go places I've never been before, all in the name of supporting my friends and a worthy cause. I wasn't sure how it would all turn out, and I was initially feeling a little less than worthy because I wasn't actually walking.
However, in the end, volunteering was immensely gratifying to my soul and spirit. If I can help in my own little way, then I will. I will be back for the walk in Denver 2007.

Sunday, October 29, 2006

Last walk of the Year


The last Avon Walk of 2006 was held last weekend in Charlotte, NC.

Here is a story from the Charlotte Observer.


Posted on Sun, Oct. 22, 2006

AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER
Making strides to save lives
Charlotte event raises $1.6 million to help find new cures, improve care
KATY STAFFORD
kstafford@charlotteobserver.com

Jinx Vidrine came all the way from Louisiana to participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Charlotte this weekend. It's the fifth race she's walked in since she was diagnosed with breast cancer 15 years ago.

But the walk this year was different.

Vidrine lost her home in Hurricane Katrina last fall, and the 56-year-old is still living in a FEMA trailer in Louisiana. For her, the walk as a way to "refill her soul."

"Everyone needs to know that because of these walks, doctors are finding new cures," Vidrine said. "I am on a new drug that didn't even exist when I was diagnosed. I'm alive, and I represent hope."

About 800 people walked in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Charlotte this weekend, raising $1.6 million.

The Charlotte event is the last in a series of walks held across the country this year that has raised more than $41 million. The money will go to local and national breast cancer organizations to advance access to care and to find a cure, with a focus on the medically underserved.

The closing ceremony will be today at Memorial Stadium, where the Avon Foundation will award four grants to local organizations totaling $750,000: Carolinas Medical Center, Presbyterian Cancer Center, Palmetto Health Foundation in Columbia, and N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Each walker raised a minimum of $1,800 in donations. Participants had the choice of walking 26.2 miles or 39.3 miles over Saturday and today.

The American Cancer Society estimates more than 200,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2006, including 6,290 women in North Carolina and 3,170 in South Carolina. About 41,000 women will die from the disease in 2006.

Dana's Sister


My thoughts are with you and your entire family.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Walk with Us! Sole Sisters!


Susan and I have committed to walking again in 2007, and we have formed a team in Denver - Sole Sisters!

Please seriously consider walking with us. Walking with people you know makes the 39 miles fly by. Really, it does! And how often in this busy world do you get to work in a positive team environment, in a situation where success is inevitable, where you can celebrate the beginning and celebrate the ending of a job well done? Well here is your chance!

To sign up, visit the Avon Walk Website. In the middle of the page there is a giant pink box. Select DENVER (or any other city you want to walk in, but we will be in Denver). Then click on REGISTER AND JOIN A TEAM. Our team name: SOLE SISTERS.

Crewing is also a huge job and so important to the walkers. Joel crewed last year. It was a lot of work, but he found it really rewarding. The organizers have leaders for each crew team, and your duties are clearly laid out. Crew members work all day, and get to camp with the walkers at night. A lot of work, but the walkers absolutely could not make it without the huge number of crew members. If you crew, you can also join our team - and you will be given a webpage to raise funds. Crew members are not required to raise any money.

If you have any questions about walking or fundraising, send me an email at valnye@gmail.com. I would be happy to answer any questions. My experience from last year is documented in this blog, but I would be happy to expand on my experience (if that is possible). Think about it, and join!

Ribbon Special Shape


While driving through Albuqueruqe on Thursday last week, during the Balloon Fiesta, I happened to see this balloon.


On 4 July 2006 this flying ribbon made his first flight in Torres (Brazil). The balloon is manufactured by Amazon Balloons and will be piloted by Randy Oates from Air America. With a volume of 3100 m³ this balloon can carry pilot + 3 passengers.

Monday, October 09, 2006

New York City


Walkers in New York raised $9.6 million in the Avon Walk this past weekend.