A weekend that changes your life
I made it through the workday today, not too sore, had a bit of a headache in the morning but it went away eventually. I'm still feeling a bit tired, but this is nothing a good night's sleep won't fix.
I promised to tell you more about The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, edition 2006. Some of you have already seen the pictures, but there are so many stories behind the smiling faces and the sea of pink. Truly amazing stories.
Like the story of 2105 participants, hundreds of volunteers (crew members) and supporters who were up early Saturday and Sunday (5:30 a.m. if you were walking, probably earlier for the crew members), full of energy and enthusiasm, ready to embark on this crazy journey.
Like the story of all the walkers who had pinned pictures of a loved one on their shirt, who were walking in the memory of, and the ones who were handed a pink strap for their ID (these were walkers who were also breast cancer survivors).
Like the story of so many with brutal blisters who kept on walking, repeating to themselves that this was easier than going through chemo.
Like the story of hundreds of walkers who, after 35 kilometers through the streets of Vancouver, were dancing the night away after dinner, under the common tent they had set up at camp.
Like the story of so many residents who hanged pink ribbons from their trees, shrubs and fences, who prepared pink lemonade and handed out cold glasses of water, who presented us with sweets to keep us going, who even had pink flamingos firmly planted on their lawn with a sign saying "Thanks!".
Like the story of four firefighters who were walking for one of their colleagues, Dave Veljacic, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although in Canada, less than 1% of breast cancer patients are men, this is not a disease that affects only women.
Like the ceremonial last walker to enter the stadium who is walking all Weekend to End Breast Cancer events this year (I apologize for not finding his name, they did call it out at the closing ceremony). This would mean seven events in Canada, several consecutive weekends of walking 60 kilometers.
There were so many stories...
I was asked a few times if I was walking for anyone in particular. My answers was always no, I was fortunate to not know anyone in my family or friends who was diagnosed with breast cancer. But this all changed tonight. My sister called me to let me know that one of her good friends from high-school was just diagnosed a few weeks ago. She's 28. She's starting her treatment in two weeks and will be in treatment for seven months.
So there's no way I'm giving up this fight. Next year, I plan to get a few people together and form a crew to volunteer at the event. And the year after, I will walk again.
Typhanie posted lots of pictures on her site, you should check it out.
I promised to tell you more about The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, edition 2006. Some of you have already seen the pictures, but there are so many stories behind the smiling faces and the sea of pink. Truly amazing stories.
Like the story of 2105 participants, hundreds of volunteers (crew members) and supporters who were up early Saturday and Sunday (5:30 a.m. if you were walking, probably earlier for the crew members), full of energy and enthusiasm, ready to embark on this crazy journey.
Like the story of all the walkers who had pinned pictures of a loved one on their shirt, who were walking in the memory of, and the ones who were handed a pink strap for their ID (these were walkers who were also breast cancer survivors).
Like the story of so many with brutal blisters who kept on walking, repeating to themselves that this was easier than going through chemo.
Like the story of hundreds of walkers who, after 35 kilometers through the streets of Vancouver, were dancing the night away after dinner, under the common tent they had set up at camp.
Like the story of so many residents who hanged pink ribbons from their trees, shrubs and fences, who prepared pink lemonade and handed out cold glasses of water, who presented us with sweets to keep us going, who even had pink flamingos firmly planted on their lawn with a sign saying "Thanks!".
Like the story of four firefighters who were walking for one of their colleagues, Dave Veljacic, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although in Canada, less than 1% of breast cancer patients are men, this is not a disease that affects only women.
Like the ceremonial last walker to enter the stadium who is walking all Weekend to End Breast Cancer events this year (I apologize for not finding his name, they did call it out at the closing ceremony). This would mean seven events in Canada, several consecutive weekends of walking 60 kilometers.
There were so many stories...
I was asked a few times if I was walking for anyone in particular. My answers was always no, I was fortunate to not know anyone in my family or friends who was diagnosed with breast cancer. But this all changed tonight. My sister called me to let me know that one of her good friends from high-school was just diagnosed a few weeks ago. She's 28. She's starting her treatment in two weeks and will be in treatment for seven months.
So there's no way I'm giving up this fight. Next year, I plan to get a few people together and form a crew to volunteer at the event. And the year after, I will walk again.
Typhanie posted lots of pictures on her site, you should check it out.
Labels: WTEBC
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