Susan G. Komen 3Day for the Cure.....Aug. 6-8, 2010, 1600 walkers, over 400 crew, raised $4.2m

On the Tues. before I left for Chicago I get a message from Richard, my 'whataguy' from several years ago.  I had not heard from him in several years but his sister, Susan, had just been diagnosed one month ago with breast cancer.  He was hoping that I would talk with her.  So, of course, we had a lengthy conversation and if I was questioning myself as to why I am continuing with this commitment, my conversation with Susan reminded me.....it reminded me why going to Chicago was important.  Thank you Susan for calling and thank you Richard for being such a 'whataguy' (you rock!).

With my talk to Susan in my mind, my daughter Debra and I flew to Chicago on Thur.  We were both conscious of the role Bob would have been playing in these travels.  He loved the logistics of planning these walks and he loved hanging the pink signs for all of the walkers.  Debra was going to do his job.  She was awesome.  On Fri. and Sat. my friend Cathy from Chicago helped Debra.  Cathy had never taken 'signage 101' but Debra said she was great and Deb only got lost when Cathy was not around!  On Sun., Carolyn was the assistant. She also had never taken signage 101, however, she knew all about that 'class'!   It definitely seems to be a 2 person job now!  We don't know how Bob did it all by himself, but that is just another example of how he lived his life.  Many thanks to Cathy and Carolyn for helping to carry on the tradition of Team California.

When I arrived at opening ceremonies on Fri. morning I was touched to see a young woman (not a walker), with her young child, maybe 2-3 yrs. old, obviously pregnant with a scarf on covering her bald head....this was my next powerful reminder of why I must keep doing this....raising money for research to stay ahead of this disease.

The mileage for each day was 22, 19.6, and 17.....my pedometer said 65 miles.....considering that I said I no longer care how far I walk, that it is all about raising the money, I was darn happy/proud to complete every step!  Learn something new about myself all of the time.

It was wonderful seeing Maureen and her friends Jill and Amy again.  Even though we have never seen each other, other than at a breast cancer walk, it felt like it was time to catch up on all of the things that good friends talk about....the children, vacations, what's new, etc....I feel so blessed to have such a great network of these relationships around the country.  You are great Maureen and I look forward to seeing you every year.

I spent only a few minutes with Courtney, of Pink Wings.  But it is always good to see her.  I think her team raised the most money.  Courtney is a 2 x survivor and our friendship goes back to the beginning of the breast cancer walks.  Keep up the good work Courtney.

I saw my dear friends Sandy and Jack.  Sandy and I walked in all of her 31 walks together.  It was good to see her and thank you so much for the Garrett's popcorn.  Sadly, it did not make it to California, since there wasn't any left by Sun. night (but we were able to buy some at the airport!).

I talked to Lisa, who was diagnosed in Oct.  She had found a lump 4 y/a but the dr. said it was nothing...she was too young...and in Oct. it started growing rapidly....she has had chemo/surgery/more chemo and radiation.....congratulations on doing this huge walk...you are the true hero.

Wendy, from PA. is doing her 7th walk.   She has a 9 y/o son....Isn't she teaching him about being a 'good person' in this world.  She goes to a new city every year and joins a new team..actually, this year she is walking in 2 cities......go Wendy.

I spent a lot of time walking with Stuart.  We are old 'walk' friends.  I remember meeting his wife before she died and he continues to walk each year to honor her memory.  The coincidence is that he is a neighbor of Bob's cousin.  Thanks for helping to get me through the end of a long day.

Debbie came over to me at lunch to ask me my story.  However, her story is that she is a 3 yr. survivor, and such a lovely lady.  She walks 5 miles every day and dances every night.  Thank you for coming over to with me.

I met Brooke from So. CA.  We may have met over the years since she is doing her 11th walk. Certainly we have to have crossed paths somewhere!  She will also be walking in SF and SD this year, so congrats to you for all that you have done in the fight against breast cancer.  Hope to see you in SF and SD too.

So many stories.....I spoke with a young woman who has been walking for many years in memory of her friend who died from breast cancer in 1990.  She had lost contact with her friend but always walked in her memory.  This year, the friend's daughter found her (facebook?) and the 2 of them met at this walk and were walking together.  It sounded like the happy ending of an adoption story....really, there are so many stories, and I feel so privileged to hear them.

I talked with Kat, who does this walk with her sisters every year.  It is a great excuse to get together and they are all making a difference.  I love it.

And speaking of so many stories, remember the young woman I wrote about at the beginning of this journal.....the one with a young child and who was also pregnant....well, I was talking to a walker (Deborah) who was walking for her cousin Sara.  Sara is the young pregnant woman who inspired me on Fri. morning...She was diagnosed at 21 wks. of her pregnancy and has already had chemo and will continue with treatment after her delivery.  Deborah, thank you for sharing the story and for being the top fundraiser in Chicago, and to Sara, I wish you a well..  Ladies, you are remarkable.

I must give a hooray to the city of Mt. Prospect....I have walked in a lot of walks (115 to be exact) and I do not remember a particular city being as supportive as this one.  The mayor was there, the fire department was doing pictures in front of their fire engine, the police were in pink shirts, at least one of the police cars was 'pinked' out, many of the families were out giving 'goodies' to the walkers; trees had pink ribbons; the police gave out pink wrist sweat bands....it really was amazing, and as a walker I thank you for all of that community support.

Fri. afternoon, on the route was a huge sign from the 3Day in memory of Dr. Bob.  I just wept and even kissed the sign.  The sign was placed on the route each day.  In addition to this honor, there was a picture of Bob in a frame and a memorial to him in the memory tent.  Debra was with me then and we just wept together.  He would have been very honored because he really did care about all of the staff with the 3Day.  They have been so supportive and I thank all of you for reaching out to us every step of the way this last year.  I don't think there was one staff member who did not come over to me this weekend and hug me and share a particular memory they had of Bob.  It was all bittersweet...actually, mostly sweet, because I love hearing stories of the legacy he has left.

A particular thank you to all of you who came up to me this weekend to give me a hug and your condolences.  It meant so much to me.

Love,

 

 Barbara Jo Kirshbaum
"I walk because I can't walk away"
www.bjkcounselor.com
ONE HUNDRED+WALKS/ONE MILLION+DOLLARS