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BARBARA JO KIRSHBAUM 2010 BREAST CANCER 3•DAY |
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S.G.Komen 3Day for the Cure.....SF....Oct. 1--Oct. 3, 2010.....1400 walkers.....raised approx. $4M.....walked 126664 steps Since my adult children have decided that the Team California pink signs should continue as long as I am walking, I have to plan my walks around one of my kids going with me (to hang signs)! So, my support family this weekend was my (ex) son-in-law, Chris, and my son David. Chris and I drove to and from SF and David took a flight. They provided signage for 3 days and did a fabulous job. The challenge on day 3 was for them to use all 60 signs when it was only a 14 mile day.....usually Bob had lots of left over signs on day 3. They met their challenge. My guys were so fabulous, and they took such good care of me. They felt their main mission was to meet my needs. It was very touching to me, and I feel so very lucky to have them in my life. The weather was mostly great walking weather.....cool enough, some sprinkles on sun. morning, fog coming back over the bridge, some sun, some wind......I guess there was a little of everything! The route was certainly challenging which I really do like.....some hills, some areas that felt like 'back country' hiking, residential, SF city streets, isolated areas, and populated areas.....I guess there was a little of everything! We had dinner with Carolyn on Thursday before the walk.....we always have to spend at least our 'hour' together when we are at the same events..... My deepest thanks to the staff for putting up the signs on the route in Bob's memory....the sign says: I walk because I can't walk away.... Susan G. Komen 3Day for the Cure fondly remembers Bob Kirshbaum, tireless supporter and member of Team California.....you can imagine how I feel every time I see that....and that you also have a picture of him on the table in the remembrance tent.....thank you for honoring him.... The San Jose Police had a huge presence at the walk.....thank you guys for all of your support at both SF walks and at the SD 3Day also....I feel a special connection since I have been privileged to meet them and get hugs from them year after year. You are making such a big difference... I walked all 3 days with my SF walking buddy Kent....he actually kept his hand on my shoulder walking the whole way back across the Golden Gate because it was so windy that my body usually gets so tense fighting the wind that it kept me from feeling like I was going to blow away.....thanks for keeping me 'grounded' and for being my walking buddy. It is always special seeing old friends....I wish I were better about remembering names.....I did see John and Glen, and Kay who are my 'peeps' from the food services; and Sue, the cutest blond with the English accent, who I have seen for years all over at different walks, and Pamela who had a pink sign on her sweep bus that honored Dr. Bob. I just had a couple of moments with Sarah and Jeff and Molly. I love you so much. These special moments and encounters with so many people whose names I don't remember, just warms my heart. They all seem to have such a special place in their hearts for Bob too. It continues to amaze me....all of these connections. I am so fortunate. I met Michelle who was walking in her 1st walk. She was going to do this last year but couldn't but still followed through on her commitment and did the walk this year. I saw her a few times over the weekend. Go girl! I saw Carmen from MI. I can't even remember what walks I have seen her on; however, I do know that I hadn't seen her for a couple of years. It was great seeing her again, and it is great that she is continuing to participate in these walks. Go Carmen! 4 the Girls was a team of 9 brand new walkers.....ages 37-46....from Concord, CA.....I met Lannette, Janeen and Alicia at breakfast.....they are all young women who did this because they wanted to do something to 'make a difference' and they certainly did....Go Girls! I hope to see you next year. I met Chin.....she was so excited when she met me because her team leader had talked about me. This was Chin's first walk and she raised over $3000.....she has 3 daughters, and works full time as a statistician in the area of clinical trials...it really does say that if you want to do something bad enough you can usually make it work! Go Chin! Chris and I left immediately after I got to the holding area, so we would drive back home. On the way home we stopped for fast food and in the parking lot met Liz and her sister, Gerry. Liz recognized me from the Avon SF walk and remembered the signs and about my families involvement. These encounters continue to amaze me and certainly lift my spirits. I met Melinda. She had bought a bracelet from me years ago at one of the early walks from Santa Barbara. She has since done 10 walks, but she was telling me the story of her bracelet. Her friend was going into surgery for breast cancer, and Melinda started to put the bracelet on her friend's wrist. The nurse told her she couldn't do that. However, the doctor told her 'yes, you can'. So Melinda put the bracelet on her friend before she had surgery. Thank you for sharing that wonderful story. Her friend is a survivor. It was a good weekend and I am glad that I did it. Bob knew what he was saying when he asked me to keep walking and fundraising for the cause. As I am now saying, I am hoping that money, research, clinical trails, etc. that are being done for breast cancer will be helping with research, clinical trials, etc. for other cancers. My next walks will be the Avon Charlotte, and the SD 3Day. Besides the bracelets, key rings, and stationary that I will be selling in Charlotte, I will have new tattoo's with our ribbon/heart logo. Check out www.rondazzle.com I thank you for coming to my website and for reading my journal. I thank all of you for your love and support.
Barbara Jo Kirshbaum |
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