I started this little blog to keep family and friends updated on everything that's going on in our lives, but with two little ones it's become a scrapbook of our lives!
The 3 Day was wonderful! It's really a life changing experience in so many ways. It's refreshing to see how generously people give to something that effects so many people. Breast Cancer touches almost everyone in some way or another. My grandmother passed away after a 10 year battle in 2002. I want there to be a cure so I walk.
We started out at opening ceremonies at South Fork Ranch on Friday, November 7th at 5:30. It's very emotional as the speaker tells you all the facts about breast cancer and you think about the reason and people you're walking for.
Megan and I walked about 30 of the 60 miles this year since she is pregnant. Megan was super sore the first day. I learned last year that the medical tent is your friend-seriously! The top of my foot hurt and they told me a way to re-tie my shoe laces and it was so much better. They just know stuff... I suggested we go to the medical tent in case they knew of a good way for her to stretch or something else. They proceeded to take her blood pressure 4 times (sitting, standing, and laying down on each arm)...after a through check they said she was just sore. HELLO? So we headed to the chiropractic section of the tent. I've never been to a chiropractor, but I do think a lot of what they do makes sense. We had the nicest lady that 'practiced' on us. That sounds scary, right? She seemed really sweet at first, but turned totally hippie and earthy on us. It was fun to laugh about all weekend.
Camping: Much better than last year, I'm happy to report! I was a little more prepared with what to expect and we packed extra blankets and I wasn't cold even once in the night-big plus!
Thing that stood out: It was so much fun to do this with my best friend! We got to spend more time together than we have in years and for that I am so grateful! With our 30 Days to Live Series wrapping up this week and after walking I know how much I take everything (Jeff, time, friends, everything!) for granted I want to live life to the fullest and love the Lord and make every minute count! The one walker that stood out most to me was actually a lady that was being pushed in a wheelchair. She had no hair, a swollen belly, and a chemo port with an IV bag the second day-talk about living life.
The Dallas walk alone raised 7.9 million dollars!!! Thank you so much for giving generously!
What a great trip! It was way too fast, but not as hard to say goodbye since my parents will be here in a few weeks (for Thanksgiving) and we'll be home with all our family and friends in just about a month!!! I love this time of year-we get to spend so much time at home!
The walk was so wonderful! Megan and I had a great time and the cause is so close to my heart! We walked about 30 of the 60 miles (Did I mention Megan is 15 weeks pregnant? She was such a trooper! A little sore, but a great sport!) Megan's mom and mother in law are both survivors and it was really neat to have her mom and niece along with my mom and Landree to come cheer us on Saturday afternoon.
I have so many stories to tell and pictures to post-I still need to catch up on Halloween, our trip, and now the 3 Day. Here is a picture of our first morning before we started walking. It was about 5:30 am.
Momma took Landree to have her pictures made on Friday morning. Cassy at Glam it Photography, takes the neatest pictures. I can't wait to see them. She was sick over the weekend and wasn't able to edit them before we left, but she did post this on her myspace account as an advertisement to book Christmas pictures. I can't wait to see the rest of them.
Thank you so much for all of your sweet messages and letters you sent me about the walk! I really appreciate it! I can't wait to catch up with all of you-I'm going through withdraws. I didn't check my email or blogs for 4 days in a row!
I'm sitting at the airport waiting on my flight as I type. I'm so excited! I have magazines and my laptop and I'm all alone :) I'll be scrapping and reading on this flight. It's been a long time since I've flown alone and I'm excited. Jeff and Landree arrived safely on Sunday and have been have a wonderful time. I hoped to catch up on my pictures from Trunk or Treat, but I've been busy cleaning up and Jennifer and I had some fun 'girl time' out yesterday with no babies. Michael was nice enough to come home and hang out with Cooper so we could have an afternoon out.
Megan and I will be walking Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I'm really excited! We both walk for loved ones. My grandmother passed away in 2002 and Megan's mom is currently fighting liver cancer, but is a breast cancer survivor. It's a disease that doesn't discriminate-we've recently met a couple at our church that has a little girl a few months younger than Landree. Lisa just finished up her last chemo treatment for breast cancer last week. What an amazing story she has to share! She's only 30 and has no family history. Check her out here.
And just because I'm so behind: Check out these trunk or treaters! More about that later. We had a great night! Do you seem a theme? Landee has two suckers that night!
Oh, and just in case you haven't heard it all day today-go vote! I only had to wait an hour and a half at 6:45 this morning. My mom called to brag that it took her 10 minutes! It's worth it either way and your right-be sure you use it!
October is here and it's officially breast cancer awareness month. The 3 Day is about a month away and I'm so ready for it! Breast Cancer touches so many people-not only the person who has it, but entire families. Early detection and education are most important!
Breast Cancer Facts:
Breast cancer is the leading cancer among American women and is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.
One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.
An estimated 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in 2008.
Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. The majority of women with breast cancer have no known significant family history or other known risk factors.
African Americans have the highest death rate from breast cancer of any racial/ethnic group in the United States.
Without a cure, 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer - a devastating disease with physical, emotional, psychological and financial pain that can last a lifetime.
Without a cure, an estimated 5 million Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer - and more than 1 million could die - over the next 25 years.
Breast Cancer 3-Day Facts :
The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. Participants make a commitment to meet an individual fundraising goal of $2,200 and spend several months training to prepare for the event. They devote the entire three-day weekend to the cause. Since its inception in 2003, more than $220 million has been raised through Breast Cancer 3-Day donations, contributions and sponsorships. WOW!
In 2006, the Breast Cancer 3-Day raised $86 million through donations, contributions and sponsorships. Of that, more than $61 million, representing 71% of funds raised, was invested in breast cancer research, education, and community outreach in 2006. The 71% return to charity exceeds the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Standards for Charity Accountability: www.give.org.
Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers travel an average of 20 miles a day during the event. Participants are provided meals, snacks, drinks, shower facilities, tents, safety guidelines and 24-hour medical support - all resources needed for a safe and memorable experience. A crew of volunteers spends the entire weekend with walkers and staff to make the event possible.
The 2008 Breast Cancer 3-Day Series includes events in: Chicago (Aug. 8-10) Boston (Aug. 15-17) Cleveland (Aug. 22-24) San Francisco Bay Area (Sept. 5-7) Seattle (Sept. 12-14) Twin Cities (Sept. 19-21) Michigan (Sept. 26-28) Washington, DC (Oct. 3-5) Philadelphia (Oct. 17-19) Atlanta (Oct. 24-26) Tampa Bay (Oct. 31-Nov. 2) Dallas/Fort Worth (Nov. 7-9) Arizona (Nov. 14-16) San Diego (Nov. 21-23)
Breast Cancer 3-Day Beneficiaries:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer.
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and the Breast Cancer 3-Day, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1.877.GO KOMEN.
National Philanthropic Trust Fifteen percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefits the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, a special field of interest fund that will provide support for breast cancer initiatives including research, treatment, prevention and education. The NPT Breast Cancer Fund is an endowment, which will ensure that the cause receives long-term, continuing support irrespective of gifting activities in years to come.
National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), the event manager, is an independent public charity dedicated to promoting and facilitating charitable giving by individuals, families and organizations while expanding their knowledge in the field of philanthropy.
Founded in 1996, NPT is one of the 100 largest charities in the United States with more than $675 million in assets under management. Since its inception, NPT has raised more than $1.2 billion in charitable assets, and made more than 22,500 grants to U.S. and international charities totaling $650 million. Led by a national board of trustees and a team of professionals with more than 100 years of combined philanthropic experience, NPT has proven expertise in the stewardship of charitable donations. For more information, visit www.nptrust.org.
I think with something like breast cancer people can feel so helpless, but there are ways you can help! Walk, talk, tell people to get checked or donate! I hope that one day we can live in a world where people aren't affected by this horrible disease. You can read more about my 2007 experience here.
I love the Tip Junkie! I don't even remember how or when I stumbled upon her blog, but I have checked it everyday since I found it! She gives the best tips submitted by readers. Recently, she's been featuring birthday party ideas, but she lists how to's, recipes, etc. Well, I've been featured! She listed my blog makeovers for donations to the 3 day. How exciting. Thanks Laurie!
Ok, it's offical. I signed up tonight for the 2008 DFW 3 Day. This year Maggie (my sister in law), one of her friends, and my best (breast) friends Shauna and Megan will be walking with me! I am so excited! This event changes so many peoples lives (including the walkers). You can't be involved in something this big and leave the same. Last year the DFW area raised over 6.5 million dollars! I am so excited to do it this year with friends. It will definitely be a challange, but it's one I'm ready for! I will be walking in memory of my grandmother, Fran Roberts. She beat breast cancer once and lost her 10 year battle in Jan. 2003. I am walking so Landree can grow up in a world were little girls don't lose their moms, grandmothers, or sisters to this awful disease.
This is a picture of me and my Memom at Christmas 2002.
I recently completed a 60 mile 3 day walk for breast cancer in October. The walk was to raise money for breast cancer research and awareness. It was difficult, but so worth it the hard part for me...camping!
To participate in the walk each person committed to raise at least $2,200 dollars. When I sent out my letter to friends and family I joked that walking 60 miles wouldn't really be the stretch for me. It would definitely be the 2 nights at camp. Sleeping in tents!!! With no electricity-which means no hairdryer or straightening iron!
I wasn't joking! I thought I might die the first night! It was so cold! It was around 40 degrees. Jeff's sleeping bag said it was good to 20 degrees, but I froze to death! The good thing is it is extra long like Jeff so I actually pulled it in on myself. I don't think I slept a wink! I called Jennifer, my sister-in-law, to bring me a few blankets the 2nd night. THANK YOU! I slept so much better the 2nd night. As far as camping goes I think I did pretty good. I had someone help me set up my tent, but I took it down all alone! What a big girl! The camping really wasn't that bad. We had hot showers (in 18 wheeler trucks) and a great (hot) dinner each night. I did have to go to bed with wet hair. I slept with two toboggans on.
On a side note you can actually 'check-out' of camp. I might have to opt for that next year unless I have friends come with me. I think I would sleep better roughing it at the Holiday Inn and be rested up for the next day.
Here are a few highlights from my trip:
There were cheering stations along the way each day. Jeff and his friend James came to the first cheering station to see me. It was so exciting to see them as we came around the corner. Jeff was holding a sign that said 'My wife is a hero." They shot off poppers and silly string.
Closing ceremonies were very emotional. They ended with a tribute to survivors. What an experience of a lifetime! The slogan for the 3 Day is Everyone Deserves a Lifetime!
The entire experience was a little surreal. My brother-in-law dropped me off that first morning. It was freezing cold and I didn't know anyone. I camped! I can't even put into words what it means to have walked. Things that stood out to me that I will never forget from this experience:
A lady in her 50's or 60's that was just clapping and cheering at one of the cheering stations had a sign that said, "My mother would say thank you."
A lady in her 50's and her daughter's friend that were walking in memory of her daughter. They had pictures pined on their backs. The friend had a picture of the lady at the 3 day last year. She was 8 1/2 months pregnant walking! She died in September leaving her family and daughter Landree's age behind.
One lady had a sign pined to her waist pack saying this would be her last 3 day to walk. She was a 2 time breast cancer survivor, but would die soon.
My faith in people was really restored. I was shocked at how generous people are if you allow them to be. I raised over $2,250 with really little effort. Business donated things I need to camp and for the walk. It was really neat to see people pull together for a great cause! The Dallas walkers raised over 6.5 million dollars.
I received so many letters from friends at camp. It was so neat to go and check the camp mail and have received letters from Jeff, Traci, Jessica, Michael, Jennifer, Carol, and Tricia. Jeff and Dana both gave me notes to read during specific times of each day. Jeff wrote his prayer for me each day. Dana included scripture and a sweet note. She also gave me an extra to pass along to another walker. It was a really neat testimony to her heart and life and fun to share with others. These are the just a few of the reasons I can't not walk or be involved with raising money for breast cancer research!
