Breast Cancer 3-Day Komen

There are very few words that could ever describe my experience...something so inspiring and powerful. Everyone should have something they are completely passionate about in life, a cause that helps better others. In addition to my relationship with my Lord and Savior, at the top of my list is this. Over 3,500 individuals walking for one cause...to find a cure for breast cancer. Although absolutely mesmerizing, I quickly moved from being in awe of the masses to being in awe of the individuals.

The grandmother standing near us at Opening Ceremonies, who was diagnosed 6 months ago with triple negative breast cancer; the doctors have no idea what to do with this type. Her daughter was walking for her, for her granddaughter. Her comment to us, with a smile on her face: "This might not be able to save me or even you...but I feel certain that it will save our granddaughters."

The lady who just weeks ago was in a terrible car accident and not expected to live. She couldn't walk, but her dear friend pushed her in a wheel chair...right into the Closing Ceremonies.

The mother who was diagnosed years ago with breast cancer and has lived to watch her children grow up, walking in memory of her friend who didn't live to watch her child grow up.

The team, Kat's Courage, who was walking in honor of their friend because they were the ones who have continued to rally around her as she courageously battled this disease. She found a lump while breastfeeding her baby a year ago and is just finishing up her treatments.

Each person held a story. Each story so personal that it created a passion that could not be contained. The husband walking for his wife. The daughter walking for her mother. The mother walking for her daughter. The woman walking for her sister. The man walking for his friend. And the grandmother walking for all of the above.

Each of my team members from the Tutus for Tatas had ribbons attached to their tutus (yes, we actually wore them when we walked!!!). Among my ribbons were:
our survivors: Linda D., Pat T., Sarah M., Martha J., Nancy F., Shelley, Mary Ethel G.
our angels: Janet G., Kym's mom, Kelly's mom, Kathy M., Susie D., Linda S.
our friends fighting the battle: Kathy F., Kat

I had a fabulous time doing the Komen 3-Day Walk. The months of training paid off...although I did end up with several blisters, a sore knee, and tendinitis in my ankle. The rain on Friday, the 1st day, prevented us from sleeping in tents. But a sweet friend loaned us a bed for 2 nights!!! What a hot shower and a toilet that flushes can do for a 3-Day walker! From the Pit Stops (where we would refresh and rehydrate) to the Cheer Stations (where people we didn't even know thanked us for walking) to the miles and miles and literal miles we walked, the Breast Cancer 3-Day made a tremendous impact on my life.

Since it is so hard to express in words the magnitude of this experience, here's a slide show/video we put together. Enjoy! :)

and let us continue to "...run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

3....2...1...

and we're off!

Hebrews 12:1c "...let us run (or walk!) with perseverance the race marked out for us."

Addie, Anna, and I will be traveling to Atlanta tomorrow to meet up with my sister, Mary Anna. (Paul will be meeting us on Friday) They will drop me off at a hotel where my team is spending Thursday night. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...I'll tell you ALL about it when I get back!

Please be in prayer (James 5:16) for:

• safe travel for everyone
  
• good health and no injuries (Philippians 4:19)
  
• strength (Isaiah 40:31) and perseverance (Hebrews 12:1c)
  
• good weather!
• no blisters!
• good rest at night (Psalms 3:5)
  
• breast cancer survivors (Psalms 116:7)
  
• those currently battling the disease (Isaiah 43:1b-3b)
  
• breast cancer awareness
• a cure
  
• that God will be glorified in all that we do! (I Corinthians 10:31)
  

Philippians 3:14

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Pink Out Game

The Faulkner University Volleyball Pink-Out Match was Thursday night. The team has raised over $5,500 through the Silent Auction and Awareness Dinner and Pink-Out Game, all of which will be donated to breast cancer research. Some of the funds will go to my 3 Day Komen Walk (which is next weekend, by the way!) with the rest going to Passionately Pink and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Addie, my granddaughter, just chilling in the Hospitality Room at the Survivors Reception

We were so honored to have Kym Klass and her daughter join us for the Pink Out Game. Kym has run 4 of the 5 Komen Runs she committed to this year. She is running these in memory of her mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was Kym's age, 37. Her final run in Macon will be the same weekend of my 3-Day Walk in Atlanta. You can watch her video and read her blog here.

Kari (who loves Addie and Addie loves her right back) and Addie's Rie Rie (me)

Addie, Coach T, and her niece.
T made Addie and her niece their very own itty bitty shirts that matched ours!

(photo taken by Ryan Bartels, Faulkner University)
the team with some of the attending survivors

Make sure to check out my granddaughter's blog for a few more pictures!