Meet Sandy

I am walking more than anything because I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.  I heard about the walk and when I looked it up and it was on my birthday I was even more excited ~ what a great way to celebrate by helping others.  My grandmother died of breast cancer and my aunt has been a survivor since 1989.  I am very excited and a little nervous about the journey ahead of me.  I have a very long road of training to do which also motivated me participate.  This summer will be my 20th wedding anniversary to the most amazing man God could have given me.   I have three boys whom I home school and  I am an active member at the Hebron Church of Christ in Joppa Alabama.  Thanks for letting me be a part of this awesome adventure that can make a huge change in the world!

Meet Team Pink for Life

Over the next few weeks I will introduce you to my teammates and they will share with you their personal reason for walking.

Meet Ann

I am walking this walk for several reasons.  First of all, my friend Jan has stage 4, triple negative breast cancer.  She has had a very rough time of it since her diagnosis, just this last fall.  2 mets to the brain were quickly eradicated with the use of cyber knife but she has had to endure some horrible, very very horrible chemo.  The first surgeon who operated on her, just did a lumpectomy which normally might have been enough but when the path came back as badly as it did, they should have done a mastectomy then and there.  So even tho, the recent PET scan showed improvement in her thoracic disease, it still shows activity all thru out her breast so we know it is still there and just waiting to send out new disease.

So even tho walking 3 days, 20 miles each day, I know nothing I do would be half as hard as what she is going thru.  Putting myself thru this just something I can do to prove that we can get thru anything if we just do it one step at a time.

I have always enjoyed a physical challenge.  But since I am not a gifted athlete, walking has been my go-to activity of choice for many years.  I can walk almost any distance as long as I get fed and get a potty break when necessary.

I also believe that the Susan G Komen Foundation handles the money they receive in a responsible way.  More so than other groups, especially if it goes thru anything related to our government.  So if any one can raise enough money to make a difference it is them.

Oh-And by the way, I am a registered mammographer. I don't choose to do that type of work anymore as I ended up doing pediatric MRI's and really felt more skilled there.  But I still remember the sinking feeling I had in my stomach every time I pulled a film out of the processor and held it up to reveal a obvious breast cancer.  So anything I can do to help put other mammographers out of that business is something I do cheerfully!! LOL, no matter, I think all their jobs will be safe for awhile.

I have been walking my usual 5-6 miles at a time, 3-4 days a week.  Looking forward to some training walks and to meeting my new team members.
-Ann



To donate to Ann, click here.

For Becky and More

I’ve struggled to write my first fundraising letter this year and I’m not sure why. I could tell you so many things that have happened since October that have changed my life and who I am but I don’t think anyone would truly understand unless they were there. Where you ask? Why Atlanta, of course, with thousands of other men and women all with the same passion and goal as myself! To extend the lives of all those affected by breast cancer (men and women/young and old). 2,400 walkers and 350 crew members all working together for one purpose.

Pink for Life ranked as the #12 team in fundraising with over $35,000 and we were #10 for the largest teams in our first year. I am so proud of my teammates and all we accomplished together. We are hard at work again preparing for another busy fundraising and training season. The weather will soon be perfect for lacing up our new shoes and if you should see us out on the sidewalks/trails, be sure to honk and wave as you pass us by. You see, we were spoiled with all the attention in Atlanta, so please try to understand.

My heart has been heavy the last few days as I read the news about a 3 Day walker who lost her battle with Stage 4 breast cancer on February 10. Becky Hewitt was twice the top fundraiser for the Twin Cities walk and a dedicated mom. I’ve watched her survivor 3 Day speech several times and cried each time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9AGIugHZ0M

I’ve read her journal entries on CaringBridge and cried.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/beckyhewitt/journal

All she wanted was more time with her family. My heart is broken for her family and her young daughter, Taylor. She tried to shield Taylor from all her pain and waiting until her very last days before the family explained that mommy was about to become an angel. Rest in peace, Becky! We will continue your fight.

Would you please consider a donation to Susan G. Komen on my behalf? $5 is the minimum donation

I would be forever grateful and so would all the survivors.

Don’t delay. Donate today. http://the3day.org/goto/tammyk

October 3-Day Walk Update

Today is the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness month and what a way to start the day. The Huntsville Times newspaper was in the driveway printed in pink glory. I wore my new pink New Balance 993s that were given to me by James and his staff at New Balance Huntsville for organizing DIVA Night for area 3-Day walkers.

Later in the day, I received an email from teammate, Abby Clark, stating that the $250 donation from Breast Alliance had been posted to her account. Abby and I were both finalists in the “Meet Your Goal” contests sponsored by Breast Alliance and All Plus Size Bras. It became a battle between me and one other person for first place and I emailed Brian from Breast Alliance to ask if I won, could the money be re-directed to another 3-Day walker and he said yes. My teammates, my Facebook friends and 3-Day Tweeps went to work. We worked our magic and I won by 1 vote.

Pink for Life and New Balance will be hosting a Breast Cancer Survivors' Walk Tuesday, October 5 @ 6:30. Know a survivor? Want to walk with us? Email me for more information. Click here to view the invitation and RSVP.

Several of my teammates will be participating in the 7^th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run on Saturday, October 16 and it would be great to see you along the route supporting all the runners and walkers. I will be attempting my first 5k after 10 weeks of NOBO training through Fleet Feet.

Three weeks from today, October 22, my teammates and I will be pounding the streets of Atlanta in the boldest breast cancer event, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. My team now consists of 11 walkers and 3 crew members. We have raised over $28,000 but still have three team members who need to reach the $2,300 minimum in order to participate. If you have been waiting to make a donation, NOW is the time. All donations are tax deductible. Please consider donating to Abby, Donna or Sandra. http://the3day.org/goto/pinkforlife

If you can’t donate financially, please consider sending a note or letter of encouragement/support to us as a team (Pink for Life) or individually. After walking 20+ miles in one day, an uplifting word of encouragement or hand drawn picture from a child is just what we will need to make it another day. All letters must be postmarked by October 12 in order for us to receive at camp.

Pink for Life team members:
Tammy Klueger
Trina Foslien
Jenny McNees
Stacie Flinn
Mary Wilson
Jennifer Secrest
Joyce Myers
Rachael Myers (crew)
Lindsey Fowler (crew)
Abby Clark
Susan Foerke
Sandra Baker

Charles Baker (crew)

Donna Skinner

3-Day for the Cure
ATTN: NAME OF PARTICIPANT
12195 Highway 92, Suite 114-392
Woodstock, GA 30188

Thank you to everyone for your support along this incredible journey since February! I just might register for 2011 :)

Mail Call

We would greatly appreciate a note or letter of encouragement/support while we are at camp. All letters must be postmarked by October 12 in order for us to receive them on time.

Pink for Life team members:
Tammy Klueger
Trina Foslien
Jenny McNees
Stacie Flinn
Mary Wilson
Jennifer Secrest
Joyce Myers
Rachael Myers
Lindsey Fowler
Abby Clark
Susan Foerke
Sandra Baker

3-Day for the Cure
ATTN: NAME OF PARTICIPANT
12195 Highway 92, Suite 114-392
Woodstock, GA 30188

September Update

Only 43 days until I hit the streets of Atlanta to conquer 60 miles in 3 days! If you haven't donated yet, please do so today. Your donation is 100% tax deductible. Click here to donate.

The training miles are really adding up quickly. So far I've walked 371 miles and raised $2,970. Our team is walking every weekend and you are welcome to join us. Just let me know you are interested and I can send you an invitation.

I am also running on Monday and Thursday nights in preparation for the 7th Annual Liz Hurley Ribbon Run one week before walking in Atlanta. You may donate to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation by clicking here. All money raised will be used to bring Breast Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) to the Tennessee Valley. BSGI is a follow-up to mammography that can significantly aid in the detection of early breast cancer by providing a more precise image of breast tissue. BSGI aids in determining the extent of the disease and provides less false positive readings than previous technologies. Early detection saves lives…help us make every breast cancer patient a survivor!

If you are a 3 Day walker within driving distance of Huntsville, you are invited to DIVA Night at New Balance Friday, September 17. Send me an email and I'll give you the details!

Pink for Life and New Balance will be hosting a Breast Cancer Survivors' Walk Tuesday, October 5 @ 6:30. Know a survivor? Email me and I'll pass along the details.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and New Balance of Huntsville will donate $1 of every sale to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure on behalf of our team. Please visit James and his staff and show your support for Pink for Life. New Balance is located at 1395 Enterprise Way between Five Guys and Jason's Deli.

Team Pink for Life would like to officially welcome Abby Clark  and Susan Foerke to our team! Together we have raised over $24,000 for breast cancer research and community programs.

September 1st ALREADY!?

The excitement is building as the days are counting down. Atlanta spectator information was posted today and you can also send walkers/crew a letter from home. Make sure they are postmarked by October 12. Click here for address.

Pink for Life will be hosting a DIVA night for any 3 Day walker willing to travel to Huntsville on Friday, September 17. Email for an invite.

Pink for Life will also be hosting a Breast Cancer Survivors' Walk on Tuesday, October 5 at New Balance.

I am one of 10 finalists to win the "Meet Your Goal" contest from All Plus Size Bras.  Please vote to help me win $250 toward reaching my goal of $5000 for Susan G.Komen.