Its that time again. The Boston Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. A marathon and a half (39.3 miles). I have walked for the past two years, first with my good friend Lori and last year with my sister Heidi. The training is brutal (exact same training schedule for running a marathon and a half, only walking. HUGE time commitment). This year with all of the fertility crap I was not able to devote my body to the training, so I have instead devoted my skills as a physical therapist. For one weekend, May 17 and 18, I will volunteer to assist the 2600 walkers in finishing this amazing weekend.
I don't know what initially drew me to fighting breast cancer, but it has always been a passion of mine. In the years that I have been involved with the walk, I have raised over $5000, all of which benefits programs in the Boston and New England area including providing mammograms and treatment for women who can not afford it, and also diagnostic imaging machines and breast cancer research.
My first year I developed the biggest blood blister I have ever seen in my life. But I went to the medical tent, had it drained and bandaged, took some Aleve and walked the second part (13.1 miles) the following day (it took the entire summer to heal completely). Last year my sister and I managed to score the BEST t-shirts. They were made in honor of a friend of a friend who lost her battle. The shirts have two screen printed baseballs over your boobs, and read "Save 2nd base." We walked in the rain, wore ponchos and finished the marathon with the highest of spirits. I couldn't help but shed tears as I crossed the finish line being cheered by breast cancer survivors and families of those who lost their battle.
So here I am today: I went to my "crew" training day and am ready to fight the breast cancer battle!!! I have a website at http://www.avonwalk.org/ (under Donate, and then "support a walker", click on Boston and then type in my name). You can also find my sister's (Heidi's) website. As a walker she is required to raise $1800, so any support you can give is greatly appreciated.
Lets get rid of this terrible cancer.
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