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.

It's the most wonderful time of the year.....

While some are lamenting the approaching holidays, we are gearing up for another Susan G Komen 3 Day for the Cure. This weekend a year of fundraising and training will all come to a conclusion...Debbi will walk in her 8th 3Day, Me (Sacha) my 4th, Steph her 3rd, Judy her 2nd and Ashley and Susie their 1st!

Some are listening to Christmas music, but on our iPods, you will only find our favorite walking music.

Looking for the perfect gift for that special someone? We are just looking to get through walking 60 miles in 3 Days, sleeping in a tent, worrying about rain once again this year and wondering how we will get ALL that gear in our suitcase AND have it all weigh under 35 pounds.

So--what does packing for the 3Day look like?

What Stephanie is packing. All nice and neat.

Yeah, right. Judy, you really think this is going to fit?

Ashley, she's packed and all organized. Her bag even weighs under the 35 pounds. Now, remember we are packing sleeping bag, mat, clothes for 5 days, fanny pack, water bottle and rain is in the forecast...so let's not forget rain gear. Debbi warned me, we shouldn't really show the public what it really looks like. (We've omitted  body glide and Epsom salts.)

Not an easy task even for the professional traveler.

It WILL fit AND it will be under weight.

Rain or (hopefully) no rain. Organized or not. It doesn't matter.

As a Team for 2011 we've raised over $11,500!  (Yes! That's for 2011!) That money all goes towards breast cancer screening, research and education. That's all that matters.

Every 74 seconds someone somewhere in the world dies from breast cancer. I don't want it to be another person I know. I don't want another person I know to be diagnosed with breast cancer. I want a cure for breast cancer. This weekend, my Team and I will stand together with the belief that this one dream will become a reality. We won't be alone. There will be thousands in San Diego standing and walking with us that have the same belief. There will also be you, our friends and family, who supported us along the way....you will be with us in spirit (I wish we could take you, but you've seen our suitcases) and we thank you.

Amazing Race ...for the Cure

So, it’s the eve of the Salt Lake City Race for the Cure. I’ve participated in this event umpteen times. I wish I knew for sure how many. Each year I participated with my mom. I guess I never kept track how many we did together because I always thought she’d be there with me and me with her. Cheering her on when she stood in that sea of survivor pink. I remember walking with her and it was amazing to see 10,000 people. Saturday, they are expecting 17,000…but I bet it passes that number.


Amazing.

After breast cancer robbed me of my mom, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about doing this event without her. But each year, I cannot imagine NOT doing Race for the Cure. She always wanted her family and friends to come walk with us. But each year, it was just the two of us. I secretly was glad of this. It was something we shared together, a perfect start to Mother’s Day weekend. Now in her memory, a whole slew of us walk. She brought us all together.

Amazing.

But as I write this, I have another reason to walk. Someone very close to me had a lumpectomy today. Though it is too early to know her prognosis, I still have faith that she will be fine. This disease will not rob me of someone else I love. I have so many family members who are already survivors I plan on adding her to the list. Finally, I plan on there being cure for this horrible disease….

….that would be truly amazing.


--Sacha--