Why I Do What I Do: SOCS

We are only 10 short weeks away from this year’s Tampa Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure!  I have so much to do… from training to fundraising to gathering up all the necessary gear. (to do: order new socks asap!)

Yesterday the team had a fundraiser at Appearances Hair Salon in Johnson City, TN.  The 2 fabulous stylists donated their day to cut solely for donations – they are two truly amazing and fabulous people!  During the course of the day, we had a variety of customers but the one that touched us all the most was a little girl of maybe 10 years… 

As she was leaving with her mom, we asked if there was anyone they would like their donation to be in memory or in honor of.  The mom thought for a moment and then looked to her daughter who said a name immediately. We wrote down the name and they started out the door.  Suddenly the girl stopped and took off her little backpack.  Mom looked at her with curiosity and we all watched as she took out her little wallet and proceeded to fold up her money and put it in our donation jar.

As those of us left in the salon wiped away our tears, I was struck by how this little girl understood.  She knew what cancer was, and she personally knew someone going through it… Children shouldn’t have to know something like that and yet too many of them do.

It’s just one more reason why I find it hard to say no to the fundraising, training, and walking 60 miles in 3 days with feet covered in blisters…

…

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.

• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.

• Link up by clicking on the button below!

Kick In The Booty!

I logged into my 3 Day participant center to read…

“95 days until the event!”

What?! That is just 3 short months away!  And then I found this…

“On July 28, a link will appear below to enter online check-in. Online check-in will be open from July 28 to October 24.”

Yikes!  When online check in opens it’s business time!  When you check in, you have to have your fundraising minimum raised or put up your own personal credit card for the remaining amount.  The 3 Day takes serious commitment to not only training but also to fundraising.

I am currently just $950 short of my fundraising minimum which may sound like a lot, but I've already raised $1350 toward the $2300 goal!  I know I can reach that goal but I just need to get focused. 

So this is me… focusing…

I’m asking your help to get me there!  Consider sponsoring me $1 per mile for a total donation of $60 or... If you can’t spare $60, please consider a donation in an amount you can give. To donate by credit or debit card, just visit www.the3day.org/goto/christina2011 there you have the option to split your donation into 4 easy, tax-deductible, payments.

Each year the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure events raise $50+ million for cancer research. Cancer research is expensive, the current treatments are expensive, the screening tests to catch the disease early are expensive... but if the money donated leads to just ONE life saved, that is priceless.

In honor of…

In honor of…

In memory of…

Blisters for Breast Cancer!

Yes, I'm doing it again - I signed up for the 2011 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure! I had such incredible experiences while walking the 3-Day for the Cure that I'm going back for more. I'm so excited about this event, especially since I will be walking in a new city - Tampa Bay!

I had not planned on walking this year because if you haven't heard, I moved 12 hours away from Michigan to Tennessee!  With the move, a new job, new surroundings, I just wasn't sure how the fundraising and training would fit.  But in the end I knew I had to walk... not walk away.  This event isn't easy, but I promise you, I wouldn't be doing it if I didn't believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night and training walk!

I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the $3000+ that you - my friends and family - gave so generously last time around to help end breast cancer.

This year I'm walking in memory of my Grandma S and in honor of the many, many cancer survivors in my life.  I would be honored to walk in memory or in honor of one of your loved ones too!

Just follow the link below to visit my personal fundraising Web page to make a donation.  And please share this post with your friends and family that may want to donate too - the more people this message will reach, the closer we get to finding a cure!
 
If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I'm doing, I love talking about the event. Thanks for all of your support. I'm incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Love,
Christina
www.the3day.org/goto/christina2011

P.S. Don't wait - donate today!  The sooner I reach my fundraising goal, the sooner I can focus on the training needed to make it through all 3 days!

Wordless Wednesday

Nutty Part 2

Did you notice something new on the bloggy blog perchance?

I’ll give you a biiiiiiig hint…. its right over…

<==============THERE================

Yes ladies and gents, I’ve drunk (drank?) the Kool-aid once again!

In 2009 I told you all I must be nuts because I had just signed up to walk 60 miles in 3 days… for the 3rd time… in the middle of treatment for my thyroid cancer.  Perhaps I was suffering from cancer brain at the time?  So what is my excuse for signing up for my 4th…. hmmmmm… let’s expound on that, shall we?

My 3rd 3-Day was nothing short of amazing.  I was able to walk with one of my inspirations - my aunt who is a breast cancer survivor.  My mom experienced her first 3-Day as a medical crew member.  I watched another of my aunts carry the “Birthdays” flag in Opening Ceremonies.  Watched as my team mate succumbed to the evil thing called dehydration.  I had blisters covering my heels and between my toes and road rash covering my calves. (ps: no one tells you but your skin does weirdo stuff in a post-cancer world)  And I didn’t know it at the time but I saw Jenne Fromm in one of her last 3 Day events as National Spokesperson… gonna miss that girl this year. Walked in ridiculous heat that fast approached the 100F mark.  And as a team we raised almost $20,000 even in the crappy economy of Michigan!

And why was all that amazing you ask?  Because of moments like these…

I must be nuts!

Call me a bit nutty for doing it - but I just signed up to walk in my 3rd Susan G. Komen 3.Day for a Cure in 2010!!

For those of you not familiar with the 3.Day, participants fundraise a minimum of $2,300 and train for months to walk 60 miles over the course of 3 days!

After my recent diagnosis with thyroid cancer I feel it is more important than ever to keep on fundraising so no one has to battle cancer ever again!

Why choose this event? Because of the amazing journey and the even more amazing amounts of money rasied for cancer research! Yes, it goes to breast cancer research (which is very dear to my heart) but out of breast cancer research has come many life saving treatements for other cancers too!

This will be my 3rd time walking in the 3.Day and my first time walking after my own cancer diagnosis. I'm still undergoing surgery and treatments and i'm not sure where the energy for 60 miles will come from... but I know it will come... and I know I have to do something! There are so many people that choose not to do anything or who don't ever get the chance... I do have the chance and I will push myself to take it!

The journey of the 3.Day is completely amazing and indescribable! I can't wait to walk again in 2010!

And in case you want to donate... CLICK HERE! ;o)