Michelle's Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk - November '08

My dear friend Michelle walked in the Breast Cancer 3 Day in mid-November. She trained and prepared for the 60 MILE walk over several months. She and her teammates were told to expect to erect their own tents - however - some college students actually did this for them. And that, was just the beginning of

the showing of generosity and support given to all the participants of the 3 Day Walk.

This photo was taken at the tent campground.

I have known Michelle for nearly 9 years. We met through our local twins club - her twin daughters Lily and Lauren are exactly one month younger than my boy/girl twins Ryan and Megan. We have shared a lot of our kids developmental milestones with each other. Michelle wrote to me in September and asked me to monitarily support her 3-Day Walk, and knowing Michelle lost a dear friend, Laurette, last year to breast cancer, I didn't hesitate to donate to the cause.

Look at ALL the pink tents!

When a close mutual friend Syndi (who did this walk three years ago) found out about Michelle walking the 3-Day Walk - she also pitched in and donated to Michelle's fundraising efforts.


Later, when Syndi suggested to me that she and I prepare a picnic lunch and journey to Plano to meet and greet Michelle and her team at a cheering point, I readily agreed. Still, I just was not prepared for the sights that beheld me. We arrived at a cheering point and to my surprise - there were so many people there! It gave me chill bumps as I began to absorb all that I was seeing. The supporters were dressed in PINK t-shirts, pink bras, and pink boas and pink everything! And that wasn't all. There were men, women and children of all ages. Many held signs, held cow bells, some handed out donuts, water or sports drinks, and some simply stood there and smiled broadly and clapped and cheered as the walkers went past us.

One lady, pictured below, even brought a PINK DOG to cheer on the walkers.
Finally, there were the walkers themselves. They amazed me as much as anything. I assumed that the walkers would be only women. How wrong I was. Breast Cancer affects women, men, their children and untold loved ones - and these are the people who were walking! There were breast cancer survivors, loved ones and I even saw a lady being pushed along in her wheelchair. It appeared that SHE was currently FIGHTING cancer! And yet, here she was on the 3-Day Walk so that hopefully not one another woman would not go through the experience of Breast Cancer in the future.

These are Michelle's [far right] teammates:

Look at the long line of walkers, and it isn't nearly all of the walkers.

Below is a group of SOLDIERS walking for the Breast Cancer Cause. These were not the only men I saw on this walk.

Here are Syndi and I showing off the feast in the back of her car. Syndi made an excellent chicken salad. Along with that there was wholesome wheat bread, celery, walnuts, onions, chips, cookies, fruit salad and iced tea.

After Michelle's team ate, they had the opportunity to prop their feet up for a bit in some anti-gravity chairs!

Here is a picture of Syndi, Michelle and myself.



THE BIG FINISH !!!


In closing, I just want to say that this was a very humbling and special experience for me. My thanks to Michelle for including me in her fundraising efforts. I also want to thank Syndi for suggesting the joint effort on the picnic and to go to Plano to support Michelle. It was a terrific experience and I am lucky for knowing both of you very special ladies.

Love, Jamie