All of us have stories why we WALK. I will share mine and over the next few months I hope everyone will share their personal stories!!!
I know some time has passed since this event (Sept 2009). But it has also been a time of contemplation for me personally. The walk began at Riverside Golf course, where my mom and dad had their first job in Indianapolis watering greens so they could raise enough money for the down payment on a house. As many of you know my mother "Mae" was diagnosed with Breast Cancer when I was 26 and she was 49. Twenty Seven years ago even talking about Breast Cancer was taboo. I remember the reactions of her friends and people even asking, is it catching? My mother was an inspiration during her 7 year battle with the disease. She taught me and my family about life, love, hope and faith. That it was not all about the medicine and science. That there is so much out of our control that we do not understand. But one thing we can control is how we continue to fight the fight so others will not have the same experience or outcome. I think about her every day and visualized her and dad on the tractor at Riverside as we walked by that first foggy morning. I thought about how it must have been everyday to face the daily battle in your head about how will I face the disease today. And she did so every day with faith, grace and optimism. When I came to the Breast Center I was not sure I could be this close to something that had taken someone I loved so dearly. But then I also recognized that is exactly what she would have wanted, to be a part of the fight! Making a difference as she did for everyone that was around her, she was not afraid to talk about the importance of mammography. Since then I have watched my Step mother, breast cancer survivor, fight the fight X2 and is currently having Chemo every 2 weeks. My Mother in Law X2 Breast Cancer survivor and is now losing her battle with AML, just diagnosed Monday. She holds true to her faith that whatever path God has selected for her she will accept and find her peace. The walk was truly an inspiration to continue the fight, the battle, the passion, the reason we all do this work. Walking 38 miles was a feat, but in no way, what so many of our patients, families and friends face everyday. No one signed up to just go walk a leisurely 38 miles! They had a reason to be there a commitment to take the challenge. The grace and generosity to support our teams with fundraising… because it will make a difference… and everyone that helped in anyway made a difference as volunteers, thru fundraising, prayers, best wishes and walking. Seeing couples walking hand in hand you did not need to ask why they were there. You could feel it all around you. One cause, two days and three blisters and some muscle pain will never compare with the impact Breast Cancer has on the families that are on that journey. So I thank all of you for your contribution, for your dedication, passion and perseverance to join in the fight to make a difference and the belief in my heart that everything we do will and does make a difference for the people that we care for, love and support everyday. WE walk for a cure, we walk for a cause, we walk for our patients, families and friends and I will be there every year.
Thank you all!
Since I wrote this note My Dear Step Mother Rosie Lost her Battle with Breast Cancer (Oct 2010). Do this for Rosie, Do this for MAE do this FOR Every Woman. Because the #1 Risk Factor is Age no one is immune to this diagnosis!
I am again saddened to tell you that my wonderful faithfilled Mother in Law June lost her battle on Easter (April 2010)morning. DO THIS for Mae, June and Rosie and make a difference for another person that may be impacted by this relentless disease.
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