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.
