Breast Cancer 3 Day

So let’s go all the way back to the very beginning of this whole experience. I registered for the Breast Cancer 3 Day in March. When you register for the 3 Day you are expected to raise a minimum of $2,300… and also expected to train so you can walk 20 miles a day for 3 days. My room mate Cassandra also registered and we formed a team called, “Viva La Tatas.” I worried and procrastinated all the way until August when I FINALLY got around to writing my letter to send out to family and friends asking them to sponsor me. I was so worried That I wasn’t going to meet my goal in time and either (a) not get to walk or (b) make up the difference myself. Almost every single person I sent a letter to donated, and I am so lucky to have such generous family and friends!!!! I raised the minimum I was supposed to have in only 2 weeks! And instead of just meeting the minimum, I ended up raising $2,760!!! Out of all the people that walked in the 3 day, all of our donations combined equaled up to more than 7.5 MILLION dollars!!!! Talk about an amazing event that can bring so much hope and funding to breast cancer research!!!!

As I wrote in my letter, breast cancer has affected 4 women in my family. My great aunt Jo is a 22 year survivor, my Great grandmother Doris Kardaras had it, as well as my Grandma who actually got it twice because it returned. My Aunt Ashley was just diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer and is actually starting her chemo this Friday. Needless to say I feel very connected to this cause because all the women in my family as well as myself are considered high risk for this disease and SO MANY women (and men also) are affected by Breast Cancer. I was thinking about those four amazing women the whole time I was walking and it kept me going the whole 60 miles. I also thought about all of my donors who helped sponsor me so I could take part in this incredible event. THANK YOU ALL WHO DONATED and thanks to everyone who supported me in my endeavor. Monica I could not have done it without your guidance throughout the past 7 months, THANK YOU!

I walked the entire way, all 60 miles. I was shocked with myself because I really didn’t train like I should have… but Cassie and I had youth on our side I guess. I had achy knees and feet. The 2nd and 3rd days and kept on. I also got 2 blisters. The way cassies described it was pretty accurate. We felt like we had “Barbie” legs that were about to break off where our legs connected to our hips. We drank lots of liquids, stretched at every pit stop and red light, and ate lots of carbohydrates. Sleeping in the tents was not bad at all. I had never camped before, but we had a blow up mattress and took Tylenol PM. We passed out both nights around 8:30. I don’t know how some walkers could stay up and party… it did not make any sense to me. The showers weren’t as bad as I had anticipated either. There was hot water and everything. It was difficult trying to stay modest, but it all worked out.

I have posted SEVEN albums on facebook. I took a lot of pictures. If you want to know more details from the event, start at the first album and the captions take you through the whole experience. You will feel like you had done the walk with me!

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE!