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BARBARA JO KIRSHBAUM 2008 AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER |
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Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer--May 30-31,2008--4000 walkers----raised $9.1m
Before I begin writing about the weekend, I wanted to share that my 10 yr. old granddaughter signed up and was accepted to be on the Youth Crew for the Los Angeles Avon walk. She had to answer 3 pages of questions and has to raise $500 to participate. She has been coming to the walks since she was born! Of course, one of my goals in walking and raising money has been with the hope that her generation would not have to know about breast cancer. However, since that has not happened she is becoming part of the solution. I am so proud of her and think it will be great fun to watch her in action. The Youth Crew acts as a very hard working crew on the events. It is not for slouches! She will use all of her unusually high energy that weekend.
The Avon Chicago route really is great. We walk by Lake Michigan and see the spectacular Chicago skyline. The campsite is 2 blocks from where Bob and I lived when we first married. So we always take a nostalgic walk to our actual block to look at our garden apartment. Isn't that funny---we lived on California Street?
I really must mention that the weather could not have been more beautiful. As I checked the weather reports for 3 weeks before, rain was in the forecast; however, no rain during Sat. and Sun. It was glorious, even though I really did have a rain poncho with me, just in case! I have been caught too many times, unprepared-----no more!
I got a kick out of selling Ronda's jewelry, because several people came to see what was new. They said they buy themselves a jewelry treat each year and are always anxious to see what I have.
This was a walk of meeting many old friends. Many of my 'regulars' were there. Cathy, who has lost 100 lbs., and has crewed over 35 events! Carolyn from TX, who has also crewed over 35 events. We could not do this without people like them who continue to support the effort by crewing. Sandy and Jack, from Chicago, were there. Jack was on the moto crew with his famous pink slacks. If those wear out, I don't know where he will find another pair! It was great seeing Sandy. We walked many walks together in 2003-2005 and shared many 'talk' hours.
Janet came up to me during the walk. She is from Camarillo, CA and we have walked in many of the same walks together. She had 4 sisters and lost one to breast cancer, so she does a different city each year. She also began doing this in Santa Barbara in 1998. She told me that she makes a gift for every donor! I was very impressed by all of her creative ideas for 'gifting'. I hope to see you someplace next year, Janet!
I saw Teresa, who is from Chicago. She is walking in 4 walks this year. I met her 2 little kids and they are just absolutely adorable. Her husband is taking over so Teresa can do several events. I also had the hance to meet him. I will see her again at the Chicago 3Day and in NY. I hope to meet her Mom in NY. Isn't this interesting? At least it is interesting to me, that with so many of the relationships I have made through this experience, I have the opportunity to meet family members and extended family members. That is always a special added treat.
I walked with Denise. She lives in Chicago but is from Puerto Rico. She has 3 young children. She recognized the banner on my back from several years ago when she walked in LA. She now lives in Chicago. and is walking for her step mother who died last year of breast cancer. She was leaving for Puerto Rico today and flying alone with her kids. I could not even imagine flying with 3 little ones, alone! Denise, you may look very petite, but you are one tough cookie! Have a good month in Puerto Rico with your family.
One of my special moments, was at registration, when Jessica came over and introduced herself to me. She had emailed me a few weeks ago. The story was that she had met me at the Chicago airport several years ago. I was flying home after a walk and was wearing my pink t-shirt. She was flying home to Charlotte, and saw my tshirt. She came over to me to thank me for what I was doing for breast cancer. Her mother was a recent survivor. I gave her my card and I never heard from her again, though I wrote about her in my journal, because it was a particularly touching moment for me. When she contacted me a few weeks ago, she wanted to let me know that she had signed up and was doing the Chicago walk and now lived in Chicago. It was great seeing her on Fri and she had a friend who was walking with her. I never saw her again, until Sun. at lunch, with 3 miles to go. I had just arrived at lunch and she said her friend went home on Sat. and she 'was done'. Her feet were blistered and her legs hurt! I asked her if she would like to walk in with me. She said 'yes'. She sat with us while I had lunch and rested. She had her blisters taken care of, and I gave her some Bio Freeze to rub on her legs. By the time I was ready to leave she was ready to go. We walked and talked the last 3 miles together, and she walked in with Bob and myself and our Team California sign into the closing area. It was soooooo special to share that with her. She is an incredible young woman and works in non-profit because she wants to make a difference. Those are the moments and memories that stay with me and touch me to the core! I feel so fortunate to get to experience so many beautiful moments .
We went racing to the airport, because we had an early flight. I didn't even have time to do my usual quick change in the car rental restroom. But at the airport, someone recognized Bob's t-shirt, which is our own personal Team California shirt. They were 2 women (I have forgotten their names---I was very dingy by that time!) eating at the restaurant and asked him if he was the one who hung all of the signs. They had flown in from NJ for the walk, and recognized all of the pink Team California signs from the NY walk. I talked with them for a while, and I hope they didn't get home too late. There flight was already 3 hrs. delayed. You are both great---I loved chatting with you. You are making a difference.
$36,000 to go to reach $1m and 11 walks to reach 100 walks.
If you would like me to wear a pink ribbon on my banner for your loved one, please email me their name.
Thanks for checking out the journal. Hugs, Barbara Jo Team California
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