2009 Here I Come!

Well, it's that time again! I still haven't decided where I'm walking next year, but I know I'm crewing in Michigan! I've updated my Michigan event website, so feel free to check it out.

Ann's Michigan 3-Day Page

Rest in Peace...

A long time friend of the Michigan Breast Cancer 3-Day has lost her long battle at last. Please join me in sending condolences and good thoughts to her family and friends.

Keep her beautiful, fighting spirit alive this holiday season. Consider making a donation to the Komen Foundation, or another cancer charity of your choice.

Etsy Seller: WhatsUpYourSleeve

We all love hot beverages this time of year! Be kind to the environment and show your support for breast cancer awareness with this beautiful, handmade coffee sleeve!

Etsy :: Whatsupyoursleeve :: Whats Up Your Sleeve Fabric coffee sleeve Hope

Etsy Seller: CoastersAndCards

Next in my series highlighting beautiful, handmade pink ribbon items is CoastersAndCards. Two years ago she lost her father to lung cancer and her mother is currently in remission from breast cancer, so she is painfully aware of the distress cancer causes. Her pink ribbon cards are gorgeous and for every one she sells at $1.25, $1 is donated to breast cancer research.

Etsy :: CoastersAndCards :: Boobies A Bloomin' Breast Cancer Awareness Greeting Card

Etsy Seller: Moodwax

Today I am beginning a holiday series featuring some absolutely beautiful, handmade pink ribbon items. I hope you will consider purchasing some of these items for holiday gifts, or for your own enjoyment. Let's keep the hope of a cure alive all year!


Etsy :: Moodwax :: Candles for the Cure - 4 Awareness Votives

Today's item is brought to you from Moodwax. Moodwax is a candlemaker on Etsy.com who, as a young adult, lived in Florida and helped her grandmother in her recovery from breast cancer. She says, "I admire the strength she had thru her treatments, and in a small way I honor her memory and others who have gone through the same thing with these candles".

If you're interested in using these as a fundraiser, contact her for larger quantities.

Please use the link above to visit Moodwax's store. This holiday let's support a cure AND talented artisans.

Good Luck Dayna!

My friend begins her 60 mile journey next Friday in San Diego! Please join me in wishing her luck and no blisters! Maybe she'll be so kind as to give us an update when she's done.

Rest in Peace Michael Crichton

It is being reported that "Jurassic Park" author Michael Crichton has succumbed to cancer at the age of 66.

Vote Tomorrow!

Just a friendly reminder to get out and vote tomorrow if you're in the U.S. I know alot of focus goes to the presidential race, but be aware of the ballot proposals too. That's where research funding and other important items are found!

Lots of New Links

Today I added many new links over there on the left of the page. At first glance you may wonder why some of them appear on a page dedicated to breast cancer and breast cancer events. Well, it's simple. I truly believe that not only do we need to find a cure for breast cancer, but we also need to think about preventing breast cancer (and all the other diseases of western society) and I also believe that to do that a massive cultural shift will be necessary. More and more studies are coming out showing that a diet consisting of mainly whole foods is healthier for everyone and may help to prevent several types of cancer. Evidence shows that today's children are highly disconnected from nature and it's affecting their mental and physical health. And, of course, our highly urbanized and industrialized environment is full of things that are making us sick, including carcinogenic compounds by the boatload.

So, please, take a look at some of the resources over there. Join me in making some changes. Baby steps are encouraged and allowed! Go to your farmer's market and buy some local produce that only drove a few miles to get there. Spend an hour a week outside enjoying nature. Turn off your TV for a few hours a day. As you build upon your first steps you'll find that you feel better physically and mentally and you'll be helping to build a better world for all of our children.

If you find yourself wanting to learn more, there's some excellent books out there. I recommend "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan and "Last Child in the Woods:Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder" by Richard Louv.

Michigan 3-Day Video and Fundraiser

My friend and fellow crew captain, Melanie, is taking the plunge! After crewing six events she is going to be a walker in '09! The video is her awesome handy work. She is offering up her skills as a fundraiser. For $15 you send her 3 songs and up to 120 pictures (you can send more for additional $) and she will put together a montage for you. It doesn't have to be 3-Day pictures. Make a video for someone's birthday, anniversary, wedding or just for fun! Proceeds will go to Melanie's fundraising efforts. If you're interested, contact me by leaving a comment or emailing me through my profile and I will get you in contact with Melanie!

Since you asked...

The lapel pin pictured in the post below is available in my Etsy store (there is a link under "other stuff to read" or click the icon above). I also have pink ribbon cell phone charms in that store. I will have other pink ribbon items available both in that store and here on my blog very soon. All the profits from my pink ribbon items goes into my 3-Day accounts and shipping is free. Plus, everything is handmade, so no two items are exactly alike!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

I'm sure you're probably already aware of that, since you can't go anywhere without seeing pink ribbon merchandise and companies promising to make a donation if you buy their product, but it's important to remember the reason. Early intervention is key in treating breast cancer.

So, spread the word! Buy a pink ribbon mug, make a donation or take a friend (or yourself) for a mammogram. Remember that awareness saves lives!

Michigan 2008

As promised...a more detailed account of this year's Michigan 3-Day...

This year was a bit different for me. I was the sweep crew captain. In any other city or any other year, this would mean I was in a costume riding in a van up and down the route, picking up walkers who needed a bit of a break. However, this year Michigan was trying out a new system, which left me in camp deploying the vans via nextel. It really makes a lot of sense. The captain has a lot going on in addition to the primary responsibilities of helping the driver navigate and making sure your passengers are comforted, hydrated and healthy. So, I found myself stationed outside the command center at a picnic table with a board full of magnets (representing my vans). Personally, I think it went really well. There were moments that were a bit stressful for me and the team, but nothing like what I had been told about. Initial feedback from past sweep crew is also positive. Who knows, maybe I have been a pioneer in the 3-Day world! We'll just have to wait and see!

Due to my limited mobility during the time the vans are on the route (approximately 7am to 7pm) I don't have many stories from the route, or even camp. I did hear some wonderful stories though! The community of Plymouth went all out for our walkers, closing stores, passing out food and dyeing the water in their fountain pink! The ambulance drivers danced and hung out their windows for the enjoyment of the walkers and the DHL team helped out my crew by bringing their own personal sweep vehicle! In camp a fleet of rubber duckies greeted walkers at the hydration stations, the check-in team danced every walker in and camp services delivered a "pillow mint" to every walker and crew member's tent.

There were two big highlights for me this year. One was on Friday night when I had the honor of speaking on stage about why I participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day. I even got some spontaneous applause-which I am definitely unaccustomed to! The other highlight was much simpler. On my way back to my tent Saturday after getting ready for bed, I ran into one of my sweep crew members; her partner joined us on her way to the showers and we proceeded to laugh uncontrollably for a good half an hour. Those are the moments that I remember from events and those are the moments that keep bringing me back.

Help Me!

So here is my dilemma...where should I walk next year? Leave a comment and help me decide!


Boston: I have a friend in Boston that we can stay with before and after the event. She actually lives in Salem-Hello Witch's Museum!!

San Diego: I also have a friend who walks in San Diego who would like me to come join her team. However, I will be in San Diego in July. Should I make two trips?

Chicago: Pretty close to me.

Denver: Just a really cool place to go!
Thanks for your help!!

Michigan Crew Day '08

Like I said before, the Breast Cancer 3-Day starts on Thursday for crew members. Advance teams and coaches arrive between 10:00 and 10:30, captains arrive at 11:30 and the rest of the crew arrives no later than 1:00. This is followed by trainings, such as how to put up those fun, pink western shelters and how to use the comm equipment, and meetings with the various staff people that your crew will deal with on event. Being on the sweep crew, my team also started decorating their vans, a few of which can be seen below.





There were 7 vans all together. I'll try to get photos of the rest up soon.

All in all crew day was a good time. It's a good way to ease into the event, since you get to go home when it's done! You get to meet anyone on your team that you haven't met yet and you get to meet the staff, who are always awesome.

After crew day, get some sleep. Day one begins at 4:30am...

Home From the Michigan Event!

The Michigan Breast Cancer 3-Day has come and gone. Months of meetings and planning are almost over (the captains will actually meet once more to "debrief") and it was an incredible weekend! I plan on posting in much more detail about the event over the next week or so. To tide you over, here are some professional articles about the Michigan event.

Article about the crew
Article about the beginning of the walk
Article about day 2
Article about day 3

Michigan Crew Day Today!

The Michigan 3-Day officially kicks off today with Crew Day! Alot of people don't realize that the crew meets for about half the day on Thursday for last minute meetings and trainings to ensure the event runs smoothly. As a matter of fact, several teams (route marking, camp logistics) will be officially "on event" in about an hour; for those teams, it's more like the Breast Cancer 4-Day.

Less than 24 hours until the route opens!

Shorter Radiation for Breast Cancer?

Here's an article from MSNBC.com that could bring some welcome news for people fighting early stage breast cancer. A shorter (and less costly) course of radiation was as effective as traditional radiation therapy in the studies outlined in this article. Hopefully, the conclusions hold up. Shorter radiation courses, according to the article, could increase the rate of breast conservation by allowing more women the option of lumpectomy followed by radiation, rather than a mastectomy.

Until there is a cure, any progress that leads to more successful, less debilitating treatment is welcome news.

Article on ClevelandWomen.com

There's a nice article on ClevelandWomen.com about this year's Cleveland event. It's interesting because the author started her piece "not getting it". From reading the message boards over at the 3-Day site, I know we've all dealt with skeptics and that we all have a different way of reacting. Well, here's a woman that, despite her skepticism, came out and talked to walkers, explored a pit stop and visited with spectators. In the end-she got it.

Shameless plug: my husband and I are pictured with a spectator at a cheering station in the 9th picture. In another picture you can see my son and mother-in-law in the background.

Cleveland '08- Day 3

Ahh, day 3. Always a great day in 3-Day land. You set out with such a feeling of lightness; after all, your two-thirds of the way there. You're going to get to the holding area and collect your victory shirt. You're going to have a wonderful closing ceremony. It's easy to get motivated on day 3.

Day 3 in Cleveland was incredible! After walking through Little Italy, lunch was at the botanical gardens. What a beautiful setting! As I was eating my lunch under a tree, I noticed some music. There was a young lady playing her guitar and singing on the other side of the gardens. It really added a nice, relaxing touch.

After lunch we walked through another park area that was having a "Walk and Roll" Sunday. The road was closed to motor vehicles to allow walkers, bikers, bladers, etc to have the run of the place. In addition to some really kind vendors along the way, the place was filled with cultural gardens for dozens of different countries. I really hope I get back there some time to visit the gardens when I have a little more time to enjoy them.

After coming out of the park, the rest of the walk was along the shore of Lake Erie. It really was a majestic sight. After making our way past the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the stadium where the Cleveland Browns play, we entered the holding area. Since there was a chance of rain, the holding and closing had been moved indoors to the Convention Center.

I really don't think I can adequately describe holding and closing to people that have not been there before. It's such a mix of emotions. You're relieved to have made it, you're happy to see friends and family and you're a little sad to be leaving. I had the pleasure of seeing my friend and fearless leader, Jordan (my Crew and Volunteer Coordinator in Michigan) carry in the "My Hero" banner to closing. And, of course, the survivor circle was an incredibly emotional moment. My favorite part of the ceremony involved some of the banners, but I'm not going to spoil the moment for anyone that might be participating in an event later this season.



I want to thank everyone involved in the Cleveland event. I had a great time and can't wait for Michigan in just a couple short weeks.

Cleveland '08-Day 2

So, day 2...I honestly remember very little of day 2. I remember getting to pit stop 4 and seeing my husband, son and mother-in-law after their fun day at the zoo. I also remember my calves being very unhappy with me. I remember stopping at pit 5 for about 45 seconds in order to high tail it to camp and be done walking for the day. It was a good day, but tough. I find day 2 is always the toughest; the excitement of getting started has worn off and the anticipation of reaching the holding area hasn't kicked in yet.

Cleveland '08- Day 1

This year I chose to participate in two events. I didn't want to have to choose between walking and serving as a crew captain, so I decided to do both! I picked Cleveland for my second event for a couple reasons: 1) it's close to Detroit and 2) I knew lots of my Michigan friends would also be heading down there.



The morning of opening ceremonies starts early. Walkers report by 6am (crew has to be there at 4:30am, so no complaining here!). After a group stretch and a beautiful ceremony we made our way out of Thistledown Racetrack. Since I'm not from the area I don't know much about the places we walked through (except that there were alot of "Heights") but we really got to see some beautiful neighborhoods.

This blog really isn't intended to be a comprehensive report of every detail, so I'll keep it simple. I really enjoyed Day 1 of the Cleveland event. I got to see just about all of my Michigan peeps that were crewing and I made every last inch, which is an accomplishment I'm quite proud of.

Why?

Someone invariably asks me why I do the Breast Cancer 3-Day every year. After all, I don't have any family with breast cancer and very few friends have had it either. I think that's beside the point. Why wouldn't I help raise money and awareness for breast cancer? EVERYONE has breasts (yes, men have to worry about it too). The 3-Day has become a very special event for me. Now that I participate, I have many friends who are survivors or are fighting at this very moment. And even if I didn't know a single person who had been affected in some way by breast cancer, wouldn't it be enough to want to do something positive? Wouldn't it be enough to want to contribute to something larger than one's self? Wouldn't it be enough to want to be a part of something so optimistic in our highly cynical world? I think it is and that is why I participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day.