Walking the Pink Month

The pink month, October, is breast cancer awareness month.  But for me, breast cancer is history and a lifelong memory.  Twelve years ago, the words, ‘you have breast cancer’ changed my life forever.

In 2005, after three surgeries, I decided I wanted to do something to make a difference.  So I raised funds and pledged to walk the Susan G. Komen 3-Day.  That year, I personally raised $ 5,000 and was a co-captain of a 15-member team.

I wasn’t able to walk again until 2011, when my daughter decided to form another team.  Even with a knee the size of a softball, I proudly hobbled into closing ceremonies (much like the Olympics) alongside hundreds of other survivors and several thousand walkers.

This year our 8-member team ‘The Mancave for Breast Cancer’ will once again partake in the largest non-profit breast cancer awareness 3-day event.  I had nominated my daughter to carry a banner during the ceremonies as it was her idea to form the team for last year, this year and already plans for next year’s team.  But the 3-Day coaches had other intensions.  They liked my story so much that they asked me to carry the flag for ‘my daughter’.  I was and am so honored to have this bestowed upon me.  Ten flag bearers displaying names like; mother, sister, aunt, friend and daughter, etc. will appear on a stage at both the opening and closing ceremonies.  So this year at the closing ceremony, I will proudly walk on stage with my daughter by my side.  I am walking so she won’t have to go through what I went through.  It will be the perfect ending of an exhilarating 3-day journey.

This year, the Philadelphia 3-day begins at the Willow Grove Mall on Friday, October 5th and ends on Sunday, October 7th at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.  Thousands of men and women will be walking 60 miles to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.  If you see us, and you can’t miss us, wave to us, whistle for us, and cheer for us, as our blistered feet and sore, tired legs will appreciate it.

Cheering stations will be located *  Friday, October 5 -  9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. at Chestnut Hill  Germantown Avenue (between Gravers & Hartwell Lanes)      Saturday, October 6    8:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.  Chili's Restaurant/Lord & Taylor  City Avenue & Belmont Avenue   10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.   Overbrook Presbyterian Church   6376 City Avenue     Sunday, October 7  8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.  Thomas Paine Plaza  1401 JFK Boulevard (plaza outside of Municipal Services Building)   10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.  South Street  2nd Street (between Pine & South Streets) 

Breast cancer affects everyone, not just the patient.  It affects everyone around you.  Yearly mammograms are a vital part of detecting breast cancer early.  Schedule your mammogram today!