Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk Blog

Sep 02, 2009 6:43 PM by Alison Bills

Posted in SheKnows Cares / Breast Cancer Awareness / Breast Cancer Awareness & Support

Save The Boobies

On behalf of SheKnows, I participated in the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk in Denver this year. Unprepared and happily oblivious about what to expect going into it, I left the walk sore and tired, but a stronger, better woman. And in 2009, after going from 0 to 60 (miles, that is) in three days, I made a difference.

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Growing up

Fighting off the pain, I distracted myself with all things happy and good in my life. These are the things that crossed my mind as my knees swelled, chest heaved and Mile 16 approached that day:

I wondered about what they'd serve for dinner once we got to camp, and I thought of getting a pedicure and a massage when I get back to Arizona...

I thought of The Rachel Zoe Project episode that I'd be missing this weekend, and wondered what my friends would be doing back at home tonight...

flip flops

I thought about all of the to-dos at work I'd be busy with next week preparing for Fashion Week coverage...

I thought of the flip flops that I'd sink my tired tootsies into first thing when I got back to camp...

I thought of my nice comfy bed back at home and my beagles, Chloe and Karmi waiting for me to get home to shower me with kisses...

I thought of the hot shower and clean clothes waiting for me back at camp and how great it would feel to wash the sticky sunscreen and sweat off.

And then... I finally woke up.

I remembered where I was.

And why I was here.

I looked around at the walkers surrounding me.

At the pink breast cancer awareness ribbons they had on their waist packs, the survivor bracelets they had around their wrists.

I noticed the bald heads of many of the walkers who had gone through chemo recently.

I read the signs that they had taped to their backs and the friends' well-wishing messages on their decorated t-shirts.

I saw the photos they carried with them that read In memory of...

I read the flags they were carrying.

For my MOTHER

For my WIFE

For my SISTER

For my DAUGHTER

For my GRANDMOTHER

For my PARTNER

For my HUSBAND

For my NEIGHBOR

For my AUNT

And I grew up a little bit. I started thinking about all the amazing women in my life.

About my own grandmothers and my mom back in Texas...

About my amazing girlfriends back in Arizona that make me laugh so hard I cry...

About my friends who know more about me than anyone else in the world...

About my younger cousins Brittney and Carlee, who are like sisters to me...

And about one of my best friends' new baby girl, Avery...

It was then that I realized how important it is to walk. We were walking for an event where 85% of the proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I was walking for my mom, my grandmother, my aunt, my cousins, and my friends who at any given time could be struck with breast cancer and left fighting for their lives.

I was walking for Avery so that she can grow up in a world where pink ribbons are only for pony tails and prom dresses.

We were all walking to find a cure for a disease that, according to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, will occur in 192,370 women in 2009, and will take the lives of an estimated 40,170 women.

Next page: Back at camp

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Tags: breast cancer breast cancer awareness charity walks

Comments

Comments on "Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk Blog"

very good and cool,thank you for your sharing.

I've done Atlanta, awesome! Michigan, awesome and Chicago, hot, wet and awesome! This year I'm doing Boston. My goal, every city!

Last year's walk in Denver was my first - it was a great city to be hosted in, however the altitude is tough. Train hard if you choose that one! I've heard San Diego is a lot of fun, and I've heard great things about Dallas too! Good luck!

What city's walk would you all recommend for the 2010 Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk? I'll be a first-timer this year and I'm trying to decide which city would be best for my first 3-day experience!

So cool! I want to do this next year!

Wow Alison! You did a great job of describing our weekend in Denver. I can't believe it's already been 2 1/2 weeks since we finished. I can tell you I am so ready to do it again. I think I understand now why so many people do this every year. I am just in the mood to do it again THIS year. I think my husband was a saint for supporting me once... I better limit myself to once a year. I am thinking Dallas next year!!! wooohooo!!!

Great Blog Alison...you hit the "nail on the head" in describing the weekend...I've participating since 2005 and continue to "talk the talk" to anyone who will listen about the 3 day event. I was hooked after my first walk...with emotions that I never knew were in me...you go through a "roller coaster" of them during those 3 days. I walk in memory of my Grandmother "Leah" taken from my mom when she was a teen. Maybe I'll see you in Atl. one year :-) Take care, LeAnne www.Saving-2nd-base

Alison Welcome to our world, I'm the one that carried CUREiosity the Pink Rally Monkey. I see that you like so many others who come to The 3-Day become addicted to the cause. My walk in Denver was my 12th event and the first one as a walker. I'm glad you felt the love from within the community and you shared it wonderfully in your blog. If your in San Francisco The first weekend of October, look us up...

Way to go!! Thanks for sharing! I will be walking in Philadelphia in 36 days! I can't wait, although my feet can :)!

Great story & thanks for sharing! I will be walking my first 3-Day in Dallas/Ft. Worth this year...I am so excited and nervous. Your story really helps me to visualize what to expect. I can't wait!!!

Just the inspirational story I needed to remind me why I am walking this weekend in Seattle. Thank you!

Way to go Alison! I do not know you, as it sound the other people do! I have never participated in our "Weekend to end breat cancer" (It's call this in Canada) BUT I have always wanted to, but thought I would not be able to do it by myself....after hearing your story, and wiping the tears away often, I now realize that I do not need to have a partner to endure the pain with. There is a ton of friendly people who are willing to befriend you! Thank you for writing this. It is an absolute Inspiration, and I thank you! GREAT job to you and to EVERYONE who has participated in this event around the world! Next year I am IN!!

Go Alison!! I think a Team SheKnows is an awesome idea!! Just think of alllll the things we would, could and should talk about to keep our minds off the miles and miles and miles. You're a great inspiration!

Great job Alison! Thank you for walking for all the women who can't.

Congrats on surviving it, girl! Love your photos and write-up. It was so good my feet hurt just reading it. :-) Thanks for doing it!

Alison you inspire me! If you can organize a team SheKnows I'm in!!

That is awesome you did this, Alison! You made SheKnows proud!

Alison- this is amazing! You truly captured the spirit of the weekend and made an impact even on me-and I was there! Thank you so much for doing this, and I agree...I can't wait to do it again next year! Keep in touch!

Thank you so much for this Alison. I've always wondered how and why people would walk 60 miles for this event. After reading your blog, its obvious that its so much more than just a walk. As Joel said, this is article absolutely inspiring and I cannot wait to sign up for the next one. I truly treasure your friendship and am grateful to have you in my life!

Ali--I am SO proud of you for not only going to this, but coming back with such an amazing story to share with everyone!! You have inspired me and my group of friends to participate in this next year and we have already begun the planning!! Much Love, Ashley