AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER - 2012

It was a cold and foggy morning in the city.  San Francisco tends to be that way.  But in the air, just under the surface, there was a feeling of excitement that was growing stronger by the minute.....

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It all started on Friday night, otherwise known as Event Eve.

I had a crew meeting to attend and then Tami and I had dinner, consisting of sandwiches we had brought from home, in our hotel room, and then early to bed, as 3:30 AM was looming too close for comfort.

We were on the 19th floor and had a really pretty view, but sad to say, we didn't get to see too much of it over the weekend.

It was 5:00 AM and everyone had just crawled out of their warm and comfy beds in the hotel and were waiting to board the buses that would take us to opening ceremonies at Ft. Mason.  I, on the other hand, had to get up at 3:30 AM in order to get this old body in working order and presentable!

At opening ceremonies a light breakfast was served with plenty of hot coffee.  After a few well spoken words of encouragement, the walkers were off.

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This is where our jobs begin:

TEAM HOSPITALITY

Back Row - Left to Right:  Myself, Angela, Carol (Team Leader), Aimee and Kayleen

Front Row:  Anna

Missing From Picture:  Sandi, who was doing one of those things that Hospitality does to help out other crew members. She was driving one of the vehicles back.

Also missing:  Amalia and Maria

I am so fortunate to be part of this most amazing group of women.  Our job is to cheer for the walkers.  To give them the support they deserve for the job that they do.  We also lend a hand, when needed, to other team members who make up the cast of the Avon Crew.

This is but a handful of an outstanding group of people that make up the Avon Crew and we love, love, love each and everyone of them.

This is only about 1/3 of the tent size where 

a very tasty dinner was served, then back to the buses for a ride to the hotel, for another comfy nights sleep.....

.....while others, crew and walkers, chose to sleep in tents for the night....

Go Figure!!!

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Sunday  dawns bright and early with another wake up call at 3:30 AM and another bus ride at 5:00 AM.  Then on to sending the walkers out for their last leg of this journey.

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Here are some of the highlights of this extraordinary weekend.....

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Now that you've seen the lighter side of this event, I'm hoping that you will take this time to reflect on the more serious side.....

This mother, who finished her last chemo treatment in November, came from Oregon to surprise her daughter, who walked in her honor.

This mother cheered in honor of her daughter, a 9 year survivor, who walked.

We do this in the hopes that someday your daughters won't have to.

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I only know three things about this young man.

I know his name is David.

And I know that he has tremendous courage and determination.

His arduous journey of 26 miles, took 12 hours to complete and a very slow and concentrated effort of putting one foot in front of the other.

David:  I, and many others, applaud you and thank you.

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Tami, with her husband, Tim, taking a quiet and well earned lunch break, after walking 26.3 miles on Saturday and 13.2 miles on Sunday.

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A beautiful and very fulfilling weekend draws to an end with the closing ceremonies.  It is always a celebration, yet sobering, part of the event.  It really brings home the reason we are all here doing our part to stand alongside, and honor, the men and women who have been diagnosed, who are survivors, and in the memory of everyone who has fought and lost to this horrible disease.

Through the hard efforts of each and every walker, crew member and volunteer, a total of 4.8 million dollars was raised to be used towards funding and finding a cure.  Let's all pray that it happens soon.

Did you know that while we were participating in this particular walk...on this particular weekend...145 people lost their lives to breast cancer?

Early detection is key....Judy

I AM SHARING THIS POWERFUL MESSAGE WITH:

Wow Us Wednesday

Home and Garden Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday

Sweet Saturday

Saturday Show Off

Pink Saturday

Seasonal Sunday

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HAVE A HAPPY HOME IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.

I am including this picture to show how breast cancer can affect anyone. 

Tami, diagnosed at 42. A very athletic young woman, in the best of health.

Moon, A beautiful and sweet dog.

They are both breast cancer survivors.

Please, just because you are young and healthy do'nt think the disease can't affect you. See your doctor for an exam if you haven't recently.