Monday, May 20, 2013

Avon Walk 2013 - D.C.



My journey began back in January when I started to prepare for my 5th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Actually, I take that back. My 2013 journey began during my 2012 journey. You see – at each year’s event, you have the opportunity to register on the spot for the following year. As I knew I would participate once again, it made sense for me to take advantage of that opportunity. So, as I patched up my blisters and iced my knees in 2012, I mentally prepared to tackle the Walk again this year – excited that I would be a 5-Year Alum.

I reached out to former teammates and friends to gauge how big Team Tit-Tastic would be in 2013. In the past, our team ranged from 3-8 members, which makes each experience quite different, and this year would bring a new dynamic – just 2 of us – Momi and me. While I do enjoy being part of a larger team (2009 and 2010 were incredible), I started to smile at the idea of Momi and I sharing such a memorable 48 hours on our own. We would hold hands during our first steps, push each other through the miles, share a tent and cry in joy passing the finish line. Who better to do all that with than the woman who tells me every day to dream big and march forward. And so it began…

One thing was for certain. Due to the fact that my mom and I can count on our donors to get us each to the $1800 minimum fundraising amount, we chose not to host any group fundraisers this year. In the past, Team Tit-Tastic has held bar nights, raffle drawings, etc. to get individual members to goal and had a blast doing it. However, with our two busy schedules this spring, it was sort of a relief not to organize and run any big events.

What we do love each year is designing our team t-shirt! We brainstormed several different phrases and ended on I PINK I CAN which perfectly sums up the walk. We emphasized pink as a power color (also the color assigned to breast cancer by the ribbon gods), we channeled an old story about a determined young train to remind us to keep chugging along on our journey and to encourage cancer patients and survivors to think positively and do whatever they can to beat their own battle! Our dear friend, Esha, a graphic designer by trade, found a perfect Pink Panther-looking font and shoe prints with ribbons in the sole and poof – a design was created!

Training (or just generally getting in shape) was something I took very seriously this year. As many people are aware, the end of 2012 brought me to a place in my life when I would finally do something about the weight issues I’ve had for years. I was tired of being tired. I was frustrated at my lack of motivation when it came to something as important as being healthy and happy. So – I just did it. I started working out each day to cardio DVDs, I made more meals at home and I did what I could to lead a more active lifestyle (signing up for several 5K runs to start). I was happy to watch the pounds drop as the weeks went on (18 to date) and knew that Walk Weekend would be an even better experience because I would feel lighter on my feet.

Recalling the four months leading up to Walk Weekend (May 4-5), several note-worthy things happened:
·         March 6 – I reached my individual fundraising goal of $1800! BIG thanks to my donors who I can count on to see the importance of this cause and support me each year.
·         March 15 – I went to a Bachelorette party and met a wonderful new friend, Michelle! After recognizing our similar personalities, I noticed a tattoo on her ankle – a beautiful dove carrying a breast cancer ribbon. I learned of her intense family history of breast cancer and felt a deeper connection to the cause on her behalf.
·         March 22 – I received a call from the Avon Walk office in D.C. thanking me for my efforts over the past 5 years, raising more than $17,000 to date. This unexpected call on a Friday afternoon was the cherry on top of my journey. None of us Walkers do it for our name in lights – we do it because there are women and men out there who need our support. Knowing that what I’m doing each year makes a difference enough for someone to take the time to call me and tell me that brings me tears of joy.
·         March 27 – I reached the top fundraiser milestone of $2200! When a Walker raises $2200, they receive a top fundraiser hat. My mom and I both hit this milestone, so we wore our hats proudly throughout Walk Weekend.
·         April 26 – My mom and I were featured in the Baltimore Jewish Times article “Walk (or Run) It Out.” We were interviewed by the Sports Reporter at the Baltimore Jewish Times for a several page spread he was doing on non-profit fundraising. It was quite an honor to share our story and be the main photo on pg 27.

Before we knew it, Walk Weekend had arrived. I took that Friday off, so when Thursday’s work was done, I headed home to meet my parents (who had arrived earlier in the day) and got into full Avon mode. Much to my surprise I had two beautiful cards waiting in my mailbox – one from my dear friend Stevie and one from my dear friend (and former teammate) Amy. Both cards wished me luck on my upcoming journey and filled my heart with pink love.

On Friday, my parents and I drove into D.C. for Event Eve. This is a special time the night before each Walk when participants are invited to a host hotel for morale-pumping! You can turn in last minute donations, take photos with fun props and a backdrop, purchase pink items, visit the Avon and Reebok stores, sign up for the next year’s Walk and meet other Walkers. I always love Event Eve because you see the shining faces of Alum and New participants who just can’t wait to get the party started. The energy in the air is contagious and I mean, come on, who doesn’t love taking photos with big hats and big ribbons?

After Event Eve, we went to dinner down the street at Ambrosia to celebrate Papi’s birthday! Bless his heart, my dear ol’ dad has spent his past several birthdays supporting Team Tit-Tastic at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer… because every year, the D.C. Walk is the first weekend in May. He didn’t sign up for this blessing, but his ladies are his number one, and he walks the streets, holding our team sign with a huge smile every year. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the MOST SUPPORTIVE and AMAZING PAPI!

Before bedtime there was a lot to do! I wanted to go over my packing list for the 10th time, I wanted to paint my nails pink, and most importantly, I wanted to make my donor ribbons. Every year I write the names of my donors and their loved ones on ribbons and safety pin those ribbons to my Camelback. Their names and hearts are with me through the 48-hour journey and I believe, provide me with strength and hope. I could not imagine the Avon Walk without my donors. They are my support system. They are my friends and family. They are the ones fighting. I am honored to Walk for them.

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Wake-up call is bright and early – 4:30 a.m.! I can’t wait to get to Opening Ceremonies at the Washington Monument. There’s something about the smell of fresh morning air and the sea of pink that lets you know you’re about to experience something incredible. And I feel that same energy beating through my body every single year. We fill up our Camelbacks with water, grab a bagel at the food station, sign our names on the large inflatable columns and wait for the instructor to lead stretches from the stage. There are over 2,000 of us walking this weekend and we are all In It To End It Together. A few participants and crew members share their own breast cancer stories with the crowd… a young boy remembering his grandmother, a man walking for his wife, the program director of the Walk thanking her own family for their support during her bout with the disease. The tears streaming down my face are not of sadness but of hope. Of courage. Of community. Of strength. I may only know a handful of people at the Walk, but I am deeply connected to every person there.

It is at that moment that I receive a text message from my dear friend and former teammate, Karen. She reminds me that after this weekend I will have walked 192 miles over 10 total days. Soon after I receive a text message from my sister, Maggie, who writes in all caps, I PINK I CAN! And I can’t help but think to myself… I am so very lucky. I have the best people in my life. And all I want is to be the best person for them. I Walk for the women and men in my life who live every day hoping they will never hear the words, "You have breast cancer" or "Your breast cancer has re-surfaced." I Walk for the future... for the children I will bear, for the grandchildren they will bear. I Walk for myself... to continue a life of kindness, compassion, love and hope!

The program director says it’s time to start our journey and 2,000 of us head out on the Walk route. We pass the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Capitol Building… cars pass us and honk and wave… some groups of Walkers speed away while others take photos like tourists seeing this beautiful city for the first time… Mile Marker 1 comes and goes quickly… I read all the shirts that Walk near me – “Stop the war on my rack,” “Boston strong,” “Save 2nd base.” We pass a group of Army cadets doing pushups and some Walkers drop down and do 10 with them… we pass a woman walking fiercely with a boot on her foot… we see Team Sara (a large group I recognize from past years who continues the fight without Sara this year (RIP))… we stop to stretch next to a man with a huge smile and a cane… I am overcome with pride at this group of amazing people!

Before I know it, we’re at Mile Marker 5 and Papi is still walking with us! I tell him he’s wonderful for walking in his slacks and non-sneakers but to feel free to head home whenever he wants. He says he’ll power forward until at least Mile Marker 10. (I know – this man is a beast.)  And then I see my friends Jessi and Melissa! Jessi a former teammate and Melissa a first-timer are one of the “stop and take photos like a tourist in the city for the first time” kind of walkers so their larger team has forged ahead, leaving them to be happy pink goofballs taking it all in.

At Mile Marker 10 I am happy as a clam to see my dear friend, Lauren, waiting for us with Tums and Vitamin Water. And you know what else she brought? A bright pink ribbon for my dad to wear as the birthday boy! (I know – she is the bee’s knees.)  At that point Papi was ready to head home to the dogs (because of time, not because he was tired, because as I said before, he’s a beast). So Lauren took over as the 3rd Walker in our group. She stuck with us until about Mile Marker 12 and then head home for a Kentucky-derby party. We couldn’t blame her!

And then we saw the beautiful half-marathon sign – we’d walked 13.1 miles! It was time to stop for lunch, stretching, resting and filling-up our Camelbacks. One of the most important things at rest stops (which occur approximately every 3 miles) is to tend to your feet. I take off my shoes and socks and lather this wonderful stuff called Glide (found in any athletic store) while my mom chooses to use Vaseline. The purpose of these tools is to prevent blisters mostly and we literally could not get through the Walk without them. After a longer stop than usual, we were ready to head back on the road. And this is where we got really pumped because my mom was feeling great!

This is my mom’s 3rd Avon Walk. In 2011 she was able to Walk 11 miles before calling on the shuttle to take her to the Wellness Village (where tenting is for Saturday night). Last year she was able to Walk 13.1 miles. This year her goal was to Walk 15 miles and it seemed she was going to do it with no problem! Any guesses on how many miles she completed on Day 1? Anyone?? That’s right – 21 friggin’ miles for my mamadukes! I am SO very proud of her stamina, determination and attitude! She rocked this Walk and she’ll get even further next year, I just know it!

So you can imagine as I was taking on the last 5 miles solo, I really booked it! I didn’t stop at any rest stops, I didn’t even notice some of the Mile Markers – I just hustled! I did run in to some old friends around Mile Marker 25 who were there cheering on family and after a big hug with smiles, I powered through the last mile.

Hello Wellness Village! Now, the one positive thing about my mom saying goodbye at Mile Marker 21 was that she could head to the Wellness Village and say hello to putting up our tent. (Yes, it’s been 5 years and I still don’t love putting up my tent, get over it.) With the tent up and luggage securely inside, we head over to the dinner area and inhale our carb-filled dinner – pasta, meatballs, salad, bread rolls – gimme, gimme and more gimme! After a warm shower we head back to the dinner tent for the afternoon entertainment (which consists of high fundraiser shoutouts, some videos and other such merriment). I see that there are a bunch of people in one corner of the tent, so I go to check it out. Oh my goodness, it’s a cell phone mosh pit. There are literally 15 surge protectors and people are charging their iphones, cameras and ipods. I couldn’t help but take a photo… and then plug in to charge of course. Bedtime is 9:00 p.m.

Wake-up call is bright and early – 6:00 a.m.! The route will open at 7:30 so that gives us time to eat breakfast, get dressed, pack up our tent and luggage, fill up our Camelbacks and go! Momi is a little chilly so she grabs one of those aluminum foil blankets to wear. I am grumpy so I tell her it makes too much noise when she walks and I need her to ditch it at the first available trash can. In response, she wears it as long as she can stand it just to spite her grumpy daughter. (For the record, I win at Mile Marker 1.)

I don’t know why, but the miles on Day 2 go by so much faster than Day 1. We are at Mile Marker 3 before we know it! We see a fire fighter that we remember from previous years… he lost 3 of his sisters to breast cancer… in the span of only 2 years. His story (as he told it at last year’s Opening Ceremonies) still sticks in my heart. I Walk for him.

I’d like to take this time to give a shoutout to the Avon Walk Crew. These volunteers (many of whom come back year after year) are amazing. We are so well taken care of on this journey. We have colorful crossing guards who play loud music and help us across busy intersections. We have medical staff at every rest stop. We have a Youth Crew who cheers all along the route in bright yellow shirts, with noise makers. We have bikers on Harleys and 10-speeds going up and down the route motivating us to push through the pain. We have families who position themselves along the route with candy and water. Our Crew is In It To End It with us.

At Mile Marker 10 (or 36 if you’re counting total), Papi finds us! We power walk down Embassy Row (him again in slacks and non-sneakers) and when we reach Mile Marker 11, Lauren and my other dear friend, Rachel, are waiting for us! (Lauren is tickled pink (pun intended) because Papi is wearing his pink ribbon that she gave him the day before for his birthday). With only 2 miles left, the 5 of us will finish the Walk together. Because it’s a beautiful Sunday in D.C. the streets are starting to get crowded as we near the Washington Monument (we end where we begin, get it?). We pass George Washington University housing and of course, Lauren and Rachel and I take a photo in front of the Alpha Delta Pi house (because we’re sorority girls and that’s what we do).

And then we see the finish line. Lauren, Rachel and Papi go on ahead because I’ve given strict instructions on the photos I’d like of Momi and I crossing from the other side (yes, my OCD is strong even after 39.3 miles). Momi and I clasp hands for the final steps of the journey and I am enveloped in the moment.

1 cause. 5 years. 3 cities. 15 teammates. 192 miles. $18,408 personally raised.

The music is loud and spirits are high. Momi and I raise our hands in the air, flash our biggest smiles and Lauren snaps a perfect shot! We have once again completed the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

Now it is time to wind down the weekend with the Closing Ceremony. We watch a video montage of the weekend and remember our own moments throughout. We hear from a few survivors on stage and loudly applaud the 290 survivors who physically Walked this weekend. We are overcome with emotion. We feel the crowd’s energy. We go wild when the program director announces that as a group we raised $4.5 million this year, and smile brightly as we see her hand the grant money to several different organizations in our area fighting this battle. We raise our hands – all 2,000+ of us – and grab the closest hand to ours and stand as one community – In It To End It – together.






Saturday, April 20, 2013

Taking a Step Back to Remember


I've been thinking a lot about my past Walks... 2009 in D.C., 2010 in NYC, 2011 in Chicago, 2012 back in D.C.... they've all brought something different to my overall experience with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

My very first year, it rained. Almost all of the 2nd day. We had ponchos (as recommended) but it was still a challenge. Trudging along, keeping up spirits, knowing that blisters were forming. That was a very important day for me. I thought to myself - how could I possibly complain about something as trivial as weather conditions when there are people out there going through cancer!

My second year, the weather and the sites were beautiful. I'd been to New York City several times before, but actually walking 40 miles around the city was breath-taking. It taught me to stop and really look at what's around me. Don't take for granted the people and places that bring to life such memorable experiences.

My third year, the route began along the water. It was chilly, but serene. It felt like the sky went on forever. I thought to myself, there is nowhere else I'd rather be than alongside my mother, friend and thousands of people who walk for the same reason I do.

My fourth year I came back to D.C. where it all began. I was at my heaviest weight, and embarrassed about that, but knew that as Team Captain I had to push myself harder than ever before. I saw a woman, easily 70 pounds heavier than me, walking with a cane. I saw a group of older women walking hand-in-hand. I saw a wheelchair-bound lady with a smile on her face. We all had challenges and we were all pushing through them for the greater good.

This year, my fifth, I consider myself lucky to be an alumni Walker. I am lucky to have such a supportive group of donors who have helped to raise over $18,000 these past years. I am lucky to have a family that either walks with me (mom is in her 3rd year) or cheers for me (pops meets us at rest stops with a large tit-tastic banner) or provides encouraging words (sister texts at just the moments I need a boost). I am lucky that I can walk. I am lucky that I found this community of philanthropists and go-getters!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Ask Me To Give

I am part of the Millennial Generation. I am civic-minded – I have a strong sense of community, both globally and locally. I am confident – I have great expectations for my personal and professional life. I am open-minded – I welcome the opportunity to interact daily with different races, religions, socio-economic classes. I multi-task. Boy do I ever multi-task. At work. At home. On the phone. In the car. At events. Planning my weekends. If you need something from me, you better ask quickly because I don’t have time to read between the lines. Make it short and sweet. Ask now.

You can find me online. You can find me at a coffee shop. You can find me at a happy hour or a sporting event. Chances are I want to be found. By someone, anyone really, who can offer me the opportunity to give back. When you give me an outlet to give (of my time or money), you empower me to do something meaningful. You offer me a way to leave my mark.

The fact is that my generation’s drive for social good is a key element in influencing change all around the world. As a group we are driven by personal relationships and human connections. We want our giving to be tangible; we want to see and feel the impact. We are a lot like older, established donors and volunteers in that way. We expect to be treated as individuals rather than bodies in seats or money in pockets.

Here’s what works for us millennials: a personal email, less than 200 words, specifying why us, why now; a Facebook message, a tweet, because we’re tech-savvy and you should be too; a call or text from a friend, because I like my friends and if they’re going I will as well. Get to me where I already am. Online and on my phone, hanging out with other millennials.

But don’t be alarmed. It may sound like you’re only one of 20 things on my mind, but in fact, I do care about your cause. I care because it affects my life. Or I care because it affects your life. Or I care because it affected my life 10 years ago. All it takes is that first ask … then we’ll go from there.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

A Friend, A Tattoo, A Cause


I spent last weekend with 15 other women celebrating the upcoming nuptials of a dear friend. One particular woman, who I can now call my new friend Michelle, and I instantly hit it off. I loved her natural spunk and sense of humor – her smile was contagious.

And then, I noticed her ankle. With a beautiful tattoo. Of a dove. Carrying a breast cancer ribbon.

This new friend and I had more than just outgoing personalities in common – we had a connection that ran deep through our hearts.

I learned that her mother … her aunt … her grandmother … her great aunt … and two cousins … all had breast cancer. I listened as she spoke of the cousin who passed in February 2012 from the awful disease. And then it was my turn. She learned that my aunt … my great aunt … my cousin … all had breast cancer. She listened as I spoke of my cousin who passed in October 2008 after years of struggle.

I realized then that so many of us have our own breast cancer story. It touches us on levels of family, friendship. It sneaks up on us when we least expect it. And sometimes, it can give us comfort and a sense of serenity when we realize we’re not alone.

This is why I'm participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for a 5th year. Because I am not alone. And Michelle is not alone. We are in it to end it together.

To make a donation, please visit my fundraising page at
http://avonwalk.org/goto/saraamin5

Thank you with love,
Sara Amin


If you prefer writing a check, you can make it payable to “Avon Walk for Breast Cancer” and send it to:
Sara Amin
5485 Columbia Road, Apt 528
Columbia, MD 21044

In addition, if there is someone dear to you that you’d like me to honor during the Walk, I would be more than happy to wear a ribbon with their name on my 39.3 mile journey.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

What about PINK?


Did you know this about the color PINK?


Bright pink stimulates energy, encourages action and promotes confidence.
Must be why I’m so pumped up and passionate about my 5th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, and why I’m certain you can help!

Soft pink encourages friendliness.
That could explain the intense and beautiful feeling of camaraderie among all walkers, knowing we have the best donors who are in it to end it with us throughout our journey!

I PINK I CAN count on you to join me by making a donation of any amount to the cause. It’s as easy as visiting my fundraising page at http://avonwalk.org/goto/saraamin5


Thank you with love,
Sara Amin


If you prefer writing a check, you can make it payable to “Avon Walk for Breast Cancer” and send it to:
Sara Amin
5485 Columbia Road, Apt 528
Columbia, MD 21044

In addition, if there is someone dear to you that you’d like me to honor during the Walk, I would be more than happy to wear a ribbon with their name on my 39.3 mile journey.