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BARBARA JO KIRSHBAUM 2008 AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER |
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Washington, DC--Avon Walk for Breast CA--May 3-4, 2008, 3500 walkers, raised $8.1m
We just arrived home from a particularly special walk. First of all, before I wrote the Houston journal a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to say that 2 of my granddaughters had their hair cut for Locks of Love, before my walk season began. I also found out yesterday, that my goddaughter, who just celebrated her 22nd birthday, recently donated her hair. I am so proud of these young women. They are already making a difference in someone else's life.
Also, between the Houston walk and this one there was a nice article in our local paper. The link is on my website. There was also a contact made from the CBS Evening/Weekend news from New York. The follow up on that was especially exciting and that became part of my heightened excitement on the DC walk(more to follow!). I also did a phone interview that is supposed to air via the internet for WorldNow on Mother's Day. I hate to keep using the word exciting, but it really is exciting to me!
We arrived in DC late on Thursday evening. Just got to the hotel and went to bed. Fri. is the day of registration for everyone and because I am always selling Ronda's bracelets and jewelry, I register early so I can do that all day. So I was busy from 1 pm. However, CBS, DC met me because they wanted to follow me through registration and take some video of what I was doing in the afternoon. I was supposed to pretend they weren't filming!! Right!
This walk really was a great route. On Sat. we walked by the DC monuments and past blocks and blocks of Embassies. This was definitely a favorite new route. Early in the morning I was feeling quite tired. I couldn't figure out why, because I hadn't done anything different than usual. It didn't seem that hot. At lunch Bob told me that the humidity was about 80%. Oh, then it all made sense. My body was reacting how it always does in the humidity. I feel much weaker; every step is more of a chore, and just a general sense of malaise. I actually felt better knowing that that was the problem! By late afternoon the humidity seemed less and I felt much better. I did finish the 26 miles, though I got into camp a little after 6:30pm. A woman that I had met several years ago had been emailing me since Jan. about walking with me. Mary is from Fla. and we met up at registration. I really did not remember her, but somehow during our conversation on Sat. she said something that totally reminded me of our time together in NY in 2004. We walked together all weekend. She became famous for her ZCoil shoes that everyone wanted to know about and also comments on her pink hair streaks! She was great fun and she deserves congratulations for finishing and for having lost about 80 lbs.
I met Allison and her team at my 'selling' table. She had on a scarf to cover her bald head. Her cancer was discovered when she went in for her first mammogram at 40 yrs.old! She is still undergoing chemotherapy, but she walked 8 miles on Sat. Her team was so proud of her. I was fortunate enough to see her again at closing ceremonies and able to give her a hug. Such strength.
It was wonderful seeing Deb, who I met in 2002. She raised $40,000 for this walk and is a 22 yr. survivor. Way to go Deb! I talked to Jessie, 26 yrs. old. She works for the Amer. Cancer Society, but volunteers at Johns Hopkins. She and several others are renting a motor home and leaving on Labor Day to cross the country and stop at 4 Avon Breast Cancer Centers, ending in LA and doing the Avon Walk, LA. Jessie told me that her grandmother is a 51 yr. survivor. I really think that is the longest survivor number I have heard. We spoke about how different it was for her grandmother, because Jessie only recently found out that her grandmother had breast cancer 51 yrs. ago. By the way, Johns Hopkins had a 65 person team and support persons all along the 40 mile route. They had a very pink presence!
It was wonderful to see Dale, alias Mohawk Man. It was last years DC walk that was his wife, Monica's last event. She died last year. It was nice to see Dale with his new friend, who was walking with her beautiful daughter. I spoke with Julie, 41 yrs. old, from Charlotte, but she was actually raised near me (small world!). She lost her Mother when Julie was in her 20's, and Julie was diagnosed at 31, with breast cancer in both breasts and had a bilateral mastectomy. She has a 10 yr. old daughter who was on the DC Youth Crew. Congratulations Julie and Julianne for making it a family event. Reese Witherspoon, who is the honorary spokesperson for the Avon Foundation, walked the last mile. I did not see her then but she spoke at the closing ceremonies, and I was part of a photo shoot with her at the end of the day. She has a great personality and sincerely wants to do this to make a difference.
Now, back to Sun. The camera crew, interviewer, and producer with CBS met up with me at 10:30 am. I was asked questions and the cameraman walked backwards as he was filming me. The pavement in lots of areas was dangerous going forwards being able to watch where we were going, but he managed to do that carrying a 50 lb. camera on his shoulder. By the 2nd meeting that day after lunch I was a little quicker putting on the mike and being 'wired for sound'. They walked with me or behind me the last couple of miles into closing ceremonies. It was really exciting for me and I feel very, very honored that they wanted my story. This is supposed to air on CBS Sunday evening news on Mother's Day. I say that with some hesitancy because I know that is all conditional on what else is going on that day. Regardless, it was a fun experience, and it was memorable to have that going on during my birthday week. I think I have rambled more than usual, but I think that my ONE HUNDRED WALKS/ONE MILLION DOLLARS has definitely taken on a life of its own! By the way, I am at $48,151 to goal. Thanks for all of your support. It's been a wonderful ride (walk)!
Hugs, Barbara Jo Team California
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