Julie-Sue-Me-Penny

Think Pink

Those of you who know me may be surprised that you have not received my annual begging for donations for the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.

Sad to say, I cannot participate this year as my Mom is having knee replacement surgery in early November.

I participated in the 60-mile, 3-Day Walk six years in a row. So, I am really going to miss the event. Since this blog is all about the journey, allow me to share this one with you.

How It Started

I was living in Channel Islands Harbor (Oxnard/Ventura area of CA) and used to see the Avon walkers coming down the coast.

I so admired their drive and every year I said, “I want to do that.” Like so many of us, my heart was in the right place but I always managed to wait too long to sign up.

Then I heard my older sister, Terry, had breast cancer. It was time to get off the couch.

San Diego 3-Day Walk

By this time, I was living in San Diego. It was 2003, and I heard an ad on the radio for the 3-Day. I signed up. At the time I was on a huge work project traveling all over the U.S. but I was not going to let that stop me.

I trained on many treadmills in hotels. The project was for the Fairmont Hotels so I feel somewhat guilty that those treadmills were in the beautiful Fairmont properties – including the Kea Lani in Maui and the Plaza in New York. Talk about suffering for the cause.

I trained “by the book” and was ready for my 1st Walk.

Because of my crazy schedule, I was walking on my own. On the second day, I was walking behind 3 lovely ladies from northern CA when I overheard Penny talk about her sister-in-law.

Penny used her sister-in-law’s full name. Turns out I had worked with her for 11 years at Prudential. What are the odds that I would be in that place, at that time and Penny (who never used her sister-in-law’s full name) used it that day?

Penny saw me behind them and asked me to walk with them. So I did and they walked right into my heart. Penny was walking with her best friend, Sue, a breast cancer survivor, and their friend, Diane. Despite a billion blisters, the event was the most inspiring, fulfilling thing I had ever done.

Can’t Walk Away

I had business cards with me and asked Penny to write down her address and phone number on the back of one. We promised to return to the 3-Day Walk in 2004.

So I signed up for the Walk. Somewhere along the way, this Baby Boomer brain misplaced the business card with Penny’s information. But I knew I would see my northern CA friends at the Walk.

I did the Walk in 2004 but was unable to find Penny, Sue or Diane. I was so mad at myself for misplacing that business card.

Once again, fate stepped in.

A client sent me an email saying, “I just noticed that your business card you gave me had an address on the back.” She sent me Penny’s address!

I sent a Christmas card to Penny and received one back. There was a very good reason they were not at the 2004 Walk. Penny had developed breast cancer.

Sitting here now, I have goosebumps all over. I am happy to report that my sister, Terry, Sue and Penny continue to be the strong women I knew they were as breast cancer survivors.

Penny told me they would walk again in 2005. From 2005 through 2007, my northern CA walker buddies would come stay at my place and we would all do the San Diego 3-Day together.

Diane missed a few years due to back problems but others took her place with Penny, Sue and me. We had Michelle, Kristin and Julie – more new friends! What a joy!

In 2008, they reopened the 3-Day in San Francisco so my buddies signed up for that Walk. I was injured in training so I settled for the Head Cheerleader role and flew to San Francisco to cheer our Fight Like a Girl team that had grown to Penny, Sue, Julie, Diane, Jennifer, Kristin, Martina, and I so hope I’m not forgetting someone!

I was able to transfer to the San Diego Walk later in the month so I did participate in 2008 but walked without my team. Well, that’s not entirely accurate.

My Blackberry dinged with the many text messages they sent my way throughout the Walk. And I managed the last two years to beat the blisters! MBT shoes (the sandals) did the trick (and prayers to the great No Blisters god!)

Support the 3-Day

My northern CA walker buddies are continuing the Fight Like a Girl tradition in the Phoenix Walk in November. They are seeing the USA the 3-Day Way. My heart, prayers and thoughts will be with you, my friends. You ladies rock! I love you all!

So all my good friends, family and supporters, if you haven’t already, consider donating to this great cause. Here’s a link to my team’s web page: Fight Like A Girl

I could go on forever with the stories I have from 6 years of participation. Truly inspiring! Please join me in supporting all the survivors, walkers, volunteer and crew of the 3-Day Walks. And special thoughts to my sister, Terry, who continues to inspire me. I love you!

Live…Laugh…Love