Saturday, May 19, 2012

I Believe

As I REALLY start my fundraising for 2012 I've had a few people ask me, how do I do it?

Me, "How do I do what? How do I raise $2,300 or how do I walk 60 miles in 3 days?" (Truly in my mind, the latter seems more daunting than the money.)

But almost always, they want to know about the money. I know, money is what drives us. It's what we need for "survival."  Aaaah haaa....survival.

So, did you know breast cancer medical care costs will reach over $16 billion (yes, that's billion with a "B" and yes, that is only for breast cancer--also with a "B") a year! (According to the the National Institutes of Health.) That doesn't include the cost of research.

Researchers are frantically searching for that ever elusive cure. They are doing a pretty good job, survival rates ARE going up. But so is the cost of research, the cost of care and the cost treatment.

Yes, I raise money for the Susan G Komen Foundation which has been under scrutiny. I'm not going to lobby or try to sway those against Komen. We can argue about it until we are blue in the face.  Let's just call this one a draw. Each to his or her own.  Everyone has their "thing," their organization, their cause. Mine is breast cancer. Not one person can argue against the fact that EVERY single advancement in breast cancer has been touched by money from Komen. So in a nutshell, a very small nutshell, that is why I support Komen. Obviously there is more, but we'll save that for another day.

This year, everyone wonders how I will be able to raise the money for the 5th year. Each year it gets more and more difficult. As my passion increases my belief in a cure does too. The funny thing is, even if my friends don't support the organization or the cause THEY SUPPORT ME. Hmmmm, isn't that what friends do? They support each other?

To get back to the original question....how do I raise $2,300? I'm able to do it one dollar at a time.... thanks to my wonderful friends and family, they believe in ME.

Now we've answered the money question, it's time to go for a walk because, really, have you every walked 20 miles a day for 3 days? That's what's tough.

~Sacha




Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Live YOUR Life

So. It's Mother's Day weekend coming up. Do you have plans to spend it with your mom or are you too busy? Can't make the trip? Don't have the time?

Let me tell you.

You are NOT that busy.

It's NOT that far.

You HAVE the time.

When my mom was sick, I had a job. I had a 2 year old. I lived an hour away from my mom.  You want to talk about being busy? You want to talk about a drive? You don't have time? Really? I don't want to hear it.  Bottom line is, I can tell you about me. I can tell you to make time, make the drive, YOU'RE NOT that busy....but it's up to you.

It's all up to you. It's what you feel in your heart and more importantly, if you were to lose your mom (or another loved one, for that matter) what could you live with? You're the one that has to live with the decisions you make.  When my mom was very sick and we didn't know how much time she had left (which wasn't long) I got some fantastic advice, from my dad, of all people.  (Let me just say, my dad and mom don't, didn't, wouldn't, etc. speak to each other...that story is for another day.)  He told me to make sure I didn't have any regrets.

Oh man, that is so easy to say. But I had to break it down.

I get it. I get what he was trying to tell me.  I'm the one who is going to be here, LIVING. What is it I can live with and not say to myself, I should have called more, I should have drove more, I should, I could blah blah blah. I miss my mom EVERY day. But I can LIVE with the decisions I made. Make sure you can too. 

Oh, and go see your mom this weekend.

~Sacha

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Let's Do This!

The 2012 Susan G Komen 3-Day is going to be the best yet! Wow! I say that with 100% confidence. How can I be so sure, you may ask?  Well, let me tell you.  The 2012 San Diego Susan G Komen 3-Day opens on my birthday, Debbi will be celebrating 10 years  cancer free and the entire time we will be reflecting over the five years since we lost my mom to breast cancer.

So much has happened over the past year since we last walked, but there are a few things I am sure of: Breast Cancer is still taking way too many people, way too early and way too many of my friends are STILL being diagnosed with this disease. The bottom line is, we need to make sure early detection and treatment is possible. Your donations will go to helping fund those much needed screenings and also to search out  a cure.  A cure for cancer?!?! I know, it seems crazy, but I bet in 1955 Jonas Salk was considered a little bit crazy too.  Me, I like crazy.

So, if you like crazy too, please help us by making a donation. You can find out more about us and why we walk by clicking our personal fundraising sites.  And don't forget to come out and participate in the Team Piggy 2012 Hog Jog coming up in April. More info on the 2012 Auction and Boutique to come!

~Sacha

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Another Minute, Another Day, Another Year

So, another day, another dollar. Another year, another fundraising effort.

Team Piggy is at it again. Before we get into 2012's  antics, we must wrap up 2011.  It was awesome, as ususal. I would like to say, there wasn't any rain, but there was. Just a little mist at the end of our 3Days. Definately tolerable. I won't lie. It was still a tough year. One of our teammates broke her toe the first day and was not able to complete the 60 miles. She couldn't even get a shoe on. Ashley walked with a "baby on board" and I, Sacha, had battled a stomach flu 2 days before the walk....so let's be honest; we still had our share of drama. In the end, it's not about the miles walked, but the dollars raised....and we raised A LOT!  Over $11,500 to be exact! We won't stop until there is a cure. We'll be there San Diego in 2012!
Debbi, Suzy, Ashley, Sacha, Stephanie
Team Piggy 2011
It wouldn't be a proper 3Day without a stop
at the Titty Tavern.
Stephanie, Sacha and Ashley enjoying the walk along the ocean.