Breast Friends

Day number 3 finally was here!!! I can't believe we had to pack up camp and our goodies and head off for one more day of walking. Come to find out though, we were only walking 14.5 miles, yeah! We must have walked more the 2 days before! This day we started again at Mission Bay and headed through Old Town into Mission Hills and down into Balboa Park. We were greeted each day by supporters that would stand along the route and hand out candy, water, stickers, pins, hugs, etc. But on this day, we were overwhelmed. Every 10 steps was a child handing us a lollipop, or a Dad holding a sign supporting his daughter. There were young survivors with bald heads wearing gowns and men and children cheering us on. There were breast cancer survivors thanking us repeatedly and the always present supporters who just drove along side us and played music. Like I said anything goes on this walk, as you will see the many pictures below.

On mile number 10ish, awaiting for me was my AMAZING family. All dressed in pink! My sweet husband, Sean, my 4 wonderful children, my incredible parents, my amazing sister and awesome niece and nephew. They knew I was around the corner, as I made my way down to the sidewalk, I finally spotted them. I ran to my kids with open arms and got the best hugs from them. Tears running down my face again!!! My mom who is an 11 year survivor sporting her pink shirt and survivor visor. What a beautiful woman she is!!! I am so blessed to have her as my mom...it is an honor to be her daughter. I was able to hang out with them for a short period of time, knowing I would see them again at the finish line!!! A meeting I could not wait!

Another wonderful moment, was finally finding Kelly. When I first saw her, tears just started coming. I have known Kelly since I was around 10 years old and she was 7 years old. She is a two year survivor, amazing mom, and a dear friend. We played softball together for many years, cheered together in Pop Warners, and she was my first two children's kindergarten teacher. She is such a blessing in my life. We were able to walk together for a few miles, and talk about her challenges that she fought and won.

Another great moment was seeing one of our dearest family friends, my babysitter when I was little, one of my donors and also a survivor, Debbie Valentine. When I say her down at Mission Park, I just ran towards her and hugged her. She was down there supporting her friends walking. Debbie is such a wonderful person, so full of life and loved by everyone!!!
Thank you Debbie!

As we headed down to Petco Park, the streets were so crowded with people that we began to hold hands so that we would not separate. The tears streaming down my face! I couldn't believe the overwhelming feeling I had at that very moment. As we crossed the finish line together we were all crying and noticed all the others around us cheering and crying too. We did it!!! We finally made it!!!

We finally found Lia's family and then mine at the finish line. What glorious moment!
After the celebration on the streets we were ushered to a holding area behind the Petco gates. Only walkers and crew were allowed behind the gates and the scene was unbelievable. I have never been so moved by anything in my life. At the end, we all got our t-shirts on, walkers in white, survivors in pink and the crew in grey. WOW!!! During this time you really didn't know who the survivors were unless they had it somewhere on their shirts, hats or tattooed on their body. This was a great moment to honor them.

On the spot my team and I decided that we will support this walk every year. While we may not walk every year, we will participate in some capacity. Whether we sign up as a crew member or simply set up our Breast Friends Bar. We will be there.

It seems these days that there is only bad news. Every time I turn on the television I hear about the DOW, the economy, the bailout, the negatives of life. But for 3 straight days in late November 2008, I was surrounded by the most positive, uplifting, motivating, thankful people in my life. I highly recommend it.

On one of our walks (they are a blur at this point), we started to talk about what makes us cry. My teammate Theresa told us it was basic humanity that touched her most. I thought her answer seemed well thought out, as Theresa always is. But after 3 days of walking with thousands of women and men, I have seen what basic humanity Theresa is speaking of. Remember, she has done this before.

My BREAST FRIENDS!!!!

Day 3!!! We did it! The finish line!!!

Packing up!

Our truck where our luggage is.

Beautiful Friends...

Many of the walkers wore caps, hats, shirts with survivors and in memory of... the woman in the middle...it was her brother's bday and he lost his battle to cancer.

America's Cuups!!!

The San Jose Police Department supports this event every year. They are all volunteering this entire weekend. They rode their bikes back and forth, riding more miles than we walked. Thank you!!!

Girl Scouts even came out to support us!

Team A- Cup!!!

Hookers for Hooters had a late night :)
These women were amazing out there all day for 3 days supporting us.

Debbie Valentine, my hero!!!

She is amazing!!!

These ladies were out there singing everyday all day!!!

Awesome!!!

This walker was walking in memory of her neighbors daughter, she was just 30 something...

too young!!!

I found her!!! Kelly and me!!!

The many signs!!!

Pit stop... 5 miles!

The many team names...

If you look closely on both sides, those are people all down each side!!!

Heading to Old Town

Loved the socks!

I never got his name, but I think his story was his mom was a survivor. Not a hundred percent sure, but he worked the walk all weekend with two other paramedics. Every time I would see them, I said "Another hard day at work". And he just smiled!!!

I don't know her story either, but she danced for 3 days straight cheering us on!!!

My girls dying for a beer!!!

Smiley Guy and his daughter, Little Grin, were out there supporting his wife, her mom and all of us walkers. Thanks you two!!!

Safety Guy hard at work...look at those pink thongs!!!

His sign says... I am a Breast Man!!!

Anything goes...

One of our innocent supporters...

Thanks for walking for my future tatas

My wonderful kids!!!

My beautiful sister!

Our 11 year Survivor! We love you mom!!!

My number one fan and my best friend! Thank you Sean for all your support and love through these 6 months of training. Getting up early, getting the kids ready and off to school.

And NEVER complaining!!! I love you!!!

This is why I walk!!!

#1 Dad!

Squish That Cancer Bug Mom!

My kiddos giving high fives to all the walkers. They had so much fun!!!

Channing, my niece

Thank you Channing!

Lily and Molly's shirt says on the front... "My mom rocks" and this is the back

60 Miles for Breast Cancer...

High Five!!!

My Mom Rocks!!!

Thank you Forrest (my 14 year old nephew) for wearing pink.

I walked with Mr. January for a while and we talked about my mom...when he saw she was my mom, he went up to her and gave her a big hug. She loved it! :)