Wednesday, July 11, 2012

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:








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.




































28 comments:

  1. Wow Judy...what an amazing post! I did the Komen 3 day in 2005 and loved every minute. This is a such a fabulous fundraiser...thank you so much for being part of it!

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  2. God bless you, Judy, for posting this. My heart aches for all those that deal with this one a daily basis. Their lives forever altered by something so insidious that it makes us shiver in fear when we hear the words....breast cancer. We can AND WILL win if we just keep plugging away at it- xo Diana

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  3. An incredible post! I lost my mom to breast cancer and her mind to Alzheimer's. It was a hard journey. Just want to inform everyone of inflammatory breast cancer. It is rarely diagnosed until it is too late. It resembles mastitis and over misdiagnosed. There is no lump in the beginning-just inflammed hard swollen breast. Get everyone to read up on it. There's lots of documentaries on youtube.

    Looks like ya'll had a great time too.
    Thanks for sharing, Judy.

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  4. Judy,
    Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post with us! I had both laughs and tears while reading. One of my dear friends found out she has breast cancer and her mom is battling it as well. So proud of your daughter and from from cheerleader to another... I'm proud of you too!
    dee dee

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  5. You are all amazing, It is such a worthy cause that has obviously touched your family, My heart goes out to you all and to say thank you for showing the awareness needed, Lets hope for the future and don't forget to... Feel Your Boobies!!
    Thea x

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  6. Oh Judy that is so funny but if it gets the message over then why not!!
    Enjoy your day
    Thea x

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  7. Hi Judy,
    What a wonderful thing to do. You and your team are givers and so many people fighting this deadly disease so appreciate your help. Great photos and lots of dedication.
    I understand cancer completely! I am an ovarian cancer survivor. The fire isn't near us. I hope it doesn't come your way.

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  8. How well you covered this amazing event, Judy! What a wonderful supporter you are! I'm full of admiration. You are a wonderful cheerleader every day. I'm glad you don't have to get up every day at 3:00 though!

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  9. That is so great that you take the time to join in this effort! What a worthy cause. Luckily, my family has been spared of this type of cancer, but we have endured other kinds though. I think any cancer is bad! It would be so nice to have it gone (just like other diseases of the past). Maybe one day, it will.

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  10. god bless you and your co-walkers, et al......all but one blood relative has been lost to me thru cancer of one kind of another....

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  11. Awwwwwww, way to go, Judy! My hubby has prostate cancer and I just pray for a cure for cancer.

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  12. How beautiful and such a very good cause! Visiting from Pink Saturday.

    Polka Dot Pink
    Have a great weekend.

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  13. Yay! for you Judy and the others who participated in this very worthy cause! I lost my very best friend to breast cancer and I have had two scares myself {both benign}. This is the best Pink Saturday post I've seen so far this weekend! Thanks for sharing, thanks for your visit, and have a lovely weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  14. Thank you for sharing this ! Amazing people, strong women and Rah Rahs for ta ta's , how can you not love it. Perfect for pink Saturday. (())

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  15. I am so glad I dropped by, what a fabulous, inspirational post, you had me in tears at time. I saw your comment on my guest doggie bag post, and wanted to thank you

    Carol

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  16. Dear Judy,
    I am a little late with my comments. Family time here.
    What a fantastic post you have written here Judy.. inspiration for all the survivors. Tami and hubby are amazing. Wow thats a lot of miles to run.. well done to them both. Tami looks great. I have a couple of breast cancer survivor friends..
    Ironic. I went shopping yesterday to stock up the fridge.. and there was a lady selling little pink key rings, pencils, and hearts for children with cancer. I bought a pencil. Its here on my desk. I always give to help. The more money the doctors and scientists have , helps to them finding more cures.
    God bless you Judy.
    great photos of the Rah Rah girls.
    hugs and a happy weekend val

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  17. What a wonderful thing to do! My wife had breast cancer 7 years ago, but has remained cancer free so far. Beautiful post. Happy Pink Saturday!

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  18. Beautiful post. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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  19. A beautiful post. My favorite died from this dreaded disease. I was in awe of the courage she showed and her determination to the end. Thank you again.

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  20. I am going to try to type through my tears to just say...that was an amazing post. Thank you so much.

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  21. Judy,
    What an amazing event!My Grandmother died of breast cancer at the tender age of 40.Back then they did not have the treatments they do now.Once diagnosed she did not live much longer.I never met her she died before I was born.But I am so honored and happy to have been named after her.I thank you for being part of this event!And thank you for stopping by.I am now following along!
    ((((Hugs))))
    Anne

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  22. beautiful, judy! thanks for sharing the reminder, and for donating your time and effort!! LOVE that last pic:)

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  23. Well, you did an amazing job. I had no idea there were cheerleaders. I love that. I loved the excitement and then seriousness at the end...your flow was great! Thank you!

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  24. WOW!!!!! I am so inspired by this post -- your heart and strength just beats beautifully throughout -- what an incredible event this way! Thank you for sharing your experiences -- feelings and emotions -- sending you all he hugs in the world! oh and those cheerleaders were AWESOME and I don't usually say that! : ) LOL!!!!!

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  25. Judy what a beautiful post. I am so inspired as a very good friend of mine was also diagnosed at the same age as Tami. She is doing well now and is such an inspiration to many. I tell her often she should be a speaker because she is so funny, and just kept her sense of humor pretty much throughout everything she had to go through. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  26. Congratulations for being a part of such an incredible event and bringing it to Seasonal Sundays!

    - The Tablescaper

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  27. What a fun! And, oh so PINK:)

    Visiting for PF- hope you can stop by..

    http://www.sweetposh.info/2012/07/pool-time.html

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  28. Hello Judy, I do appreciate you sharing this wonderful post demonstrating the beautiful, generosity of this community in their support for this event - so very heartwarming - love the foot massage machines;) I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    I hope you have a blessed day,
    Kathy

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy