BARBARA JO KIRSHBAUM

2008 AVON WALK FOR BREAST CANCER

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer--San Francisco-July 12-13, 2008, 3224 participants, 290 survivors, $7.6m raised

I thought I would start out by writing about the part of the walk that was most meaningful to me. Though I have been thinking of what that would be, I couldn't quite get that down to one particular experience, because there were so many very special moments this weekend. So, in writing about the weekend, it is definitely not in order of importance!

My daughter Debra drove up with her daughter to support the walk. They both were on 'signage' with Bob in the mornings, and though Debra had that particular 'job' several years ago, the job has taken on new meaning. We have always called putting pink Team California signs up with Bob as a class in signage 101. What has now happened is that it has become even more refined. Debra now refers to her experience as a 'graduate class' in signage! Bob has added 'stick' signage and 'cone' signage to his repertoire. Anyway, it did sound like Debra and Sara had a good time and teased Bob unmercifully about his need for perfection. If you have not seen Bob's work of hanging 65 signs, with sayings to support the walkers, every day that I walk, you have no idea! Just try really hard to get a visual on it!

During parts of each day both Debra and Sara walked a little with me. Debra has walked in many walks officially and Sara is 9 and does not remember a time when she did not participate in some way with what "Mams" (my grandmother name) was doing in the fight against breast cancer. I was so proud to have you both with me.

I was again invited on stage during opening ceremonies. This time I was wearing the beautiful One Million Dollar acknowledgment ribbon they presented in the Rocky Mtns. This time they showed slides of me on the huge screen on the stage. I was so very touched by that and thank you everyone that was involved in making that happen. You truly warm my heart because of the support I always feel from you ('you' know who you are!).

As I was selling jewelry on Fri. my friend from NY, Susan Ketterman, came over to say 'hi'. She does several walks every year, and she is one special lady to me. Another special lady is Lenore Welsh from Chicago, who is doing 4 walks this year. These are just 2 of the wonderful women I have met over the years and that stay in touch. Thank you dear friends.

The weather was beautiful; about 70 degrees and good walking weather. And I love crossing the Golden Gate twice on Sat. I did not even mind the huge hill getting back up to the bridge. It is quite the challenge. However, I must say it does not compare to the challenge on Sun. I really just think of it as 2 challenges that really make me aware that I am climbing a SF hill! It is the kind of hill that intimidates most people! The first one seemed to be at least a couple of blocks and then I thought I was done. I don't know why I had forgotten from previous years. But just as I was thinking we were almost to lunch we started the next climb! Goodness gracious, it is so steep that it felt to me like I was climbing stairs. When I am doing that kind of challenge I just go slow and steady. People pass me and ask if I am ok------I know they mean well----but, I just keep going. Very much the story of the hare and the tortoise! Guess which one I am!! At the top of the hill they were giving out strawberries as the reward-----I just kept on going!

To me, one of the highlights of Sunday's route is that we walked by San Francisco General's building that provides mammograms and breast services to the underserved. The building has the Avon Foundation name on it, and money that we, as walkers, are raising created that. The foundation granted them over $1million yesterday to continue their services. There were recipients outside of the building plus staff applauding and thanking us. Everyone was so appreciative of what we, as walkers and fundraiser, are doing. Dr. Judy Luce who is the director, was a walker and I met her as we walked together in the morning. She was personally so appreciative of what we are doing. That was really a powerful experience to me---really seeing the money we have raised at work. Go walkers! Let's keep up the good work!

I spent time walking with Kent. His team is called Dudes for Boobs! Actually there are even some women on the team. Kent's goal is to try to get more men involved in this fight. He raised $7000 this year and it is his 6th year doing the walk. I enjoyed talking with him and look forward to seeing him again next year.

A young woman came along side me and we started to talk. Actually that happens all of the time; however, she asked if I was from Upland. She said she went to high school with someone by that name in Upland. I couldn't believe that she went to high school with my oldest daughter and her family just lives a couple of blocks away from me now. It was great meeting you Sue and I will call Lori and share this story with her. It really is always amazing that of 3225 people participating in this event, she was probably the only one I would have this connection with. Keep up the good work Sue.

On Sun. a young man began speaking with me. It was an easy conversation and then I realized that his story was sounding familiar to me. I asked if his wife had been the survivor speaker at opening ceremonies. Yes, he was her husband. She was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 yrs. ago. They had been dating since 1998 and had talked of marriage but it hadn't happened. Diedra invited friends and family to a 'surprise' birthday for Mark a year ago, all the while planning a surprise wedding. During that planning, Mark was diagnosed with testicular cancer and had immediate surgery. "Birthday" plans continued and the following month everyone arrived at their home for the 'birthday' party.  While they were celebrating that Mark thanked them for coming to 'the surprise' but that there was a bigger surprise in store. Diedra came out in her wedding dress and they proceeded to be married! They both have told their story to Relay for Life events. Mark and I walked into closing ceremonies together. They was a joy and emotional highlight to me. Theirs is such a story of hope, love, survivorship and co-survivorship! I look forward to hearing from you both and planning to see you next year.

If anyone wants me to wear a pink ribbon with the name of someone special to my banner, please send me their first/last name.

My total is now $1,006,253. I am still fundraising because there is still breast cancer.

Thank you for coming to my website.